Natural Remedies for Dandruff
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This summer is exceptionally hot in parts of the world. If you are living in a place where there is no rain yet, it is critical to keep body cool. Beating severe summer heat requires a combination of strategies to keep yourself cool and hydrated. What effect severe summer heat can have on our body?
Here are tips to protect our body from this summer heat wave:
Remember to listen to your body and take breaks if you start to feel overheated. Severe heat can be dangerous, so it is important to take measures to protect yourself and stay cool.
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Biofortified seeds refer to seeds that have been genetically modified or conventionally bred to enhance the nutritional content of the resulting crops. The goal of biofortification is to address specific nutrient deficiencies in certain staple foods, thereby improving the nutritional status of populations that rely heavily on these crops. Biofortification typically focuses on increasing the levels of essential vitamins and minerals in crops.
Biofortification seeds further can be explained based on our specific needs –
Targeted Nutrients: Biofortification aims to increase the levels of specific nutrients in crops that are commonly deficient in the diets of some of the populations around the world. Common targets include vitamin A, iron, zinc, and other essential micronutrients.
Conventional Breeding vs. Genetic Modification: Biofortification can be achieved through traditional breeding methods or genetic modification (GMO). Conventional breeding involves selecting and crossbreeding plants with desirable traits, while genetic modification involves the insertion of specific genes to achieve the desired nutritional outcome.
Examples of Biofortified Crops
Golden Rice: A genetically modified rice variety designed to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is a significant health issue in many developing countries.
Iron-Biofortified Beans: Certain varieties of beans have been bred to contain higher levels of iron, addressing iron deficiency, a common nutritional problem worldwide.
Zinc-Biofortified Wheat: Some varieties of wheat have been biofortified to increase zinc levels, targeting populations with zinc deficiency.
Global Impact of Biofortified crops
Biofortification is seen as a sustainable approach to addressing malnutrition, especially in regions where people heavily rely on a few staple crops. By improving the nutritional content of commonly consumed foods, biofortified crops have the potential to positively impact public health.
Acceptance and Regulation: The acceptance of biofortified crops can vary among different regions and communities. Regulatory frameworks and public perceptions play a crucial role in the adoption of biofortified seeds.
Collaborative Efforts: Biofortification initiatives often involve collaboration between agricultural scientists, nutritionists, policymakers, and local communities. These collaborative efforts aim to ensure that biofortified crops are safe, effective, and well-received by the target populations.
Nutritious diet is vital for proper growth and development in humans. It helps preventing diseases, besides maintaining the body metabolism for physical- and mental- wellbeing. Food provides energy, protein, essential fats, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals to meet our daily metabolic requirements. Most of them cannot be synthesized in human body, therefore are to be supplemented through diet. Further, anti-nutritional factors present in edible parts of the food exert adverse effects on human health (ICAR)
While biofortification holds promise for addressing malnutrition, it is essential to consider ethical, environmental, and safety aspects associated with the development and deployment of biofortified seeds. Ongoing research and careful monitoring are necessary to assess the long-term impact of biofortification on human health and the environment.
ICAR Research on Biofortified crops:
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has improved the nutritional quality in high yielding varieties of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and fruits using breeding methods. Special efforts were initiated during 12th Plan with the launching of a special project on Consortium Research Platform on Biofortification. Concerted efforts in collaboration with other national and international initiatives has led to the development of 71 varieties of rice (7), wheat (22), maize (11), pearl millet (8), finger millet (3), small millet (1), lentil (2), groundnut (2), linseed (1), mustard (3), soybean (3), cauliflower (1), potato (2), sweet potato (2), greater yam (2) and pomegranate (1). In addition, a large number of advance elite materials are in pipelines and will be released in due course of time. These biofortified varieties assume great significance to achieve nutritional security of the country. Special efforts are being made to popularize these biofortified varieties among masses. Quality seeds of biofortified varieties are being produced and made available for commercial cultivation. Extension Division of ICAR has also launched two special programmes viz. Nutri-sensitive Agricultural Resources and Innovations (NARI) and Value Addition and Technology Incubation Centres in Agriculture (VATICA) for up-scaling the biofortified varieties through its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs).
See more here to view the types of Biofortified crops from ICAR : https://iimr.icar.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Biofortified-Varieties-Book_V3_ICAR.pdf
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Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, can develop due to several reasons, and while there is no one-size-fits-all remedy, there are several strategies to alleviate discomfort and speed up the healing process.
Canker sores develop inside the mouth, including the inner lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, and the roof of the mouth. Unlike mucocele, Canker sore will cause pain and can result in puss formation.
Symptoms of Canker Sores:
Reasons for Canker Sore Development:
Remedies for canker sores:
While these tips can help alleviate symptoms and promote healing, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional if you have recurrent or unusually large canker sores to rule out underlying medical conditions or infections.
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The amount of walking an obese person need can vary depending on factors such as their current fitness level, health status, and weight loss goals. Walking is a great form of exercise for obese individuals because it is low-impact and can be incorporated into daily routines.
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, per week for adults, regardless of weight. This translates to about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. However, for obese individuals, it might be more beneficial to gradually increase activity levels over time, starting with shorter durations and gradually increasing both the duration and intensity of the walks as fitness improves.
Walking can be immensely beneficial for obese individuals in several ways:
How many steps an obese person needs every day to get into shape?
The number of steps an obese person should take every day can vary depending on their overall health, fitness level, weight loss goals, and daily activity level. However, a commonly recommended goal for improving health and managing weight is to aim for 10,000 -13,000 steps per day. To get back good health, recent studies say an obese person should walk minimum14500 steps per day to get back good weight and health.
While 10,000 steps are a widely recognized target, it might not be realistic or achievable for everyone, especially for those who are not into regular physical activity or who have mobility issues. Therefore, it is essential to set realistic and attainable goals based on individual circumstances.
For someone who is obese and just starting to increase their physical activity, it may be more practical to start with a lower step count and gradually work their way up. Setting incremental goals, such as increasing the step count by 500 steps per week, can be a more manageable approach.
It is important for obese individuals to listen to their bodies and not overdo it, especially if they are not used to regular exercise. Starting with shorter, more manageable walks and gradually increasing duration and intensity is a safe and effective approach. Additionally, consulting with a healthcare provider or a fitness professional before starting any new exercise regimen is advisable, especially for individuals with obesity-related health concerns.
It is also crucial for individuals to listen to their bodies and avoid pushing themselves too hard, especially in the beginning. Consulting with a healthcare provider or a fitness professional can help determine a suitable step goal and develop a safe and effective walking program tailored to individual needs and goals.
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Responding effectively to passive-aggressive behavior involves a combination of assertiveness, empathy, and setting clear boundaries. The goal is to address the behavior directly without escalating the conflict, while encouraging open and honest communication.
How to take care of passive aggressive behavior of a person?
1. Recognize the behavior: Acknowledge to yourself that what you are experiencing is passive-aggressive behavior. Understanding the signs can help you respond more effectively rather than reacting emotionally.
2. Stay calm: Maintain your composure. Getting visibly upset or retaliating against passive-aggressive behavior of your own will worsen the situation.
3. Use assertive communication: Express your feelings and needs clearly and directly. Use “I” statements to focus on how the behavior affects you, without accusing or blaming. For example, “I feel frustrated when tasks are delayed without communication because it affects our project’s timeline.”
4. Address the specific behavior: Focus on the specific actions or words that are problematic, rather than labeling the person as passive aggressive. This can help prevent them from becoming defensive.
5. Encourage open dialogue: Invite the person to share their feelings or concerns. Sometimes, passive-aggressive behavior stems from feeling unheard of or unable to express oneself directly. Ask open ended questions to encourage discussion.
6. Set boundaries: Clearly communicate the consequences of continued passive-aggressive behavior. For example, “If reports continue to be submitted late, we’ll need to reevaluate this working arrangement.”
7. Offer solutions: Propose constructive solutions to the underlying issue. If the passive aggressive behavior is related to a specific task or situation, discuss ways to address it that meet both parties’ needs.
8. Choose your battles: Some behaviors may be best ignored, especially if they are minor and not impacting you significantly. Constantly confronting every instance of passive aggressive behavior can be exhausting and counterproductive.
9. Model positive behavior: Demonstrate how to express disagreement or negative feelings in a healthy, constructive manner. Leading by example can encourage others to do the same.
10. Seek support: If the behavior is persistent and damaging to your well-being or the dynamics of a group, consider seeking advice from a supervisor, HR, or a professional mediator.
11. Self care: Dealing with passive-aggressive behavior can be draining. Make sure to take care of your emotional and physical well-being by engaging in activities that reduce stress and provide relaxation.
12. Professional help: In some cases, especially in personal relationships, professional counseling may be beneficial for both parties. A therapist can help address the root causes of passive-aggressive behavior and develop healthier communication strategies.
Responding to passive aggressive behavior effectively requires patience and skill, and it is important to remember that you can only control your own actions and reactions. Setting a positive example and maintaining open lines of communication can sometimes influence others to change their behavior, but it is also crucial to know when to seek external support or distance yourself from toxic dynamics.
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Cucumber as we know provides zero calories. It is one of the highly recommended vegetables that should be part of our diet program. Cucumber sambar, yogurt based curry, cucumber moru kolamzu, cucumber juice etc. are few dishes prepared using tender cucumber. Here is a recipe of Cucumber Chitranna or Cucumber rice – it is easy to make at home.
Ingredients:
Preparation:
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