Gaucher Disease

It is an enzyme deficiency hereditary disease that blocks the metabolism of Lipids (a substance in the blood), causing Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). It causes irreparable brain damage and death, particularly in children.

Magnified micrograph of Gaucher and necrotic bone

Wikimedia Commons by Nephron 

The symptoms include swollen abdomen, the build-up of fats in tissues, enlargement of spleen and liver, bleeding, and the bones become so brittle that merely the rolling over the bed may fracture them.

To cure it the following steps are taken.

1. The virus is taken from an infected lab mouse.

2. The genetic material in the segment of the virus is removed and replaced by enzyme producing human gene.

3. The altered viral particle is placed in a lab dish along with the baby’s bone marrow-derived cells.

4. Then the two are incubated causing the gene virus to fuse with the DNA of baby cells.

5. Thereafter the gene-altered bone marrow cells are transplanted which manufacture the musing enzymes. If enough enzyme making cells are produced, the disease is cured.

How to Get Rid of Foot Cramps

The muscular pain in foot cramp has now become a common problem. It is associated with unbearable pain occurring any time in the middle of exercises or even at midnight while asleep. The pain may last for a minute or up to 15 minutes. 

Wikimedia Commons by james gillray

It occurs due to several reasons like muscle fatigue, obesity, overuse of muscles, over exercising, deficiency of vitamin D, loss of electrolytes in body due to excessive sweating, thyroid problem, diabetes, formation of lactic acid in body, flat feet, interruption in blood flow, hormone imbalance, malnutrition, injury, non-stretching or immobility of foot muscle, high heels or wrong footwear etc. 

The following precautions should be taken to cope with foot cramps.

1. Avoid wearing high heels regularly as it causes the complete weight of the body to rest on fingers which chokes the blood flow to foot muscles. Remove theshoes when cramps occur.

2. Avoid the water loss in the body and get properly rehydrated, because dehydration causes cramps in toes especially during exercises. 

3. Avoid mineral deficiency in the body. The sudden pain in the toes is often due to the deficiency of calcium and, potassium and magnesium. Take about 1000 milligram of calcium and 4.8 gram potassium daily. The required intake of magnesium for men and women is 400 and 310 milligram per day. 

4. No special equipment is required for the flexibility and the movement of the toes. When the pain begins, just stand erect on a towel or a marble by putting the entire weight on the front of sore foot, by lifting the other foot.

5. To increase the blood flow to the toes, it is better to massage them with fingers by slightly pulling the toes or put them in warm water or wrap a slightly microwaved wet cloth or towel before going to sleep at night. It will relax the foot muscles and reduce the chances of foot cramps.

6. The regular stretching of foot muscles by exercises reduces the risk of foot cramps. In case of cramps, try to walk and stretch the foot slightly to increase the blood flow. 

7. Sit down and put the weight on the front of the painful foot, then raise the toes off the ground without raising the heel and move the toes in circular motion towards the floor and opposite to it. 

8. Always warm up before the exercise and cool down after doing with it. 

9. Take enough rest and stretch the foot muscles before getting out of bed. 

Photo Credit- 
Image URL- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b8/The_gout_.jpg

The Yoga for Magical Nap Meditation

It has been found that the people generally feel drowsy in the workplace due to tiredness, or fatigue or overwork. It so happens that the eyelids involuntarily start closing, despite the efforts on the contrary. It damages the image and creates bad reputation among the colleagues. It also increases the mental tension and affects the working potential.

Better to take a Nap
Wikimedia Commons by Frank Kovalchek

The nap meditation is the best way to avoid this situation and to get recharged again. The method to perform this yoga exercise is very easy. Either sitting or standing or in whatever position position you are , get stable and just close the eyes for a minute and start meditating about the nap. 

During meditation take deep breaths and feel the air inhaled and exhaled. Open the eyes after one minute. This yogic exercise could be performed any time, as it gives the freshness of eight hours sleep and reactivates the working of the brain. But it is not a substitute of routine sleep. 

This yogic exercise alleviates the mental tension and stress; regulates the breathing; gives energy to lungs and heart; and gives relief to the eyes. For those working continuously on computer, it is advisable to perform this exercise after each hour.

Immunotherapy

It is a treatment given to the patients of cancer. In this system the immune system of the body is enhanced by the agents called immunomodulators. They amplify the immune responses of the body.

Step 1- The blood is drawn from the body of the patient.

Simple diagram showing the how immunotherapy is used
Wikimedia Commons by SariSabban

Step 2- The white blood cells are removed from the blood, by separating machine and incubated in Inter- Lukin-2 (IL-2), a neutral immune factor.

Step 3- This process transforms the white cells into fierce fighters, known as lympho- activated killer (LAK) cells.

Step 4- Finally the LAK cells are retained to body with Inter- Lukin-2 (IL-2), to give an alternate to cancer cells.

Side Effects- Continuous nausea, diarrhea, skin irritation, breathing problems, and extreme fatigue.

The Wonderful Seeds of Jack- fruit for Diabetes

The jackfruit is known as kathal in India. It is a common vegetable, the seeds of which are generally thrown away, as the people do not relish its taste. But these seeds are very nutritious and beneficial for overall health. 

Jack-fruits
Wikimedia Commons by Bijesh

They are the storehouse of the huge amount of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B. 

They also contain minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, zinc, and phosphorus.

The raw seeds of jackfruit could be taken by frying them or grinding them into a paste. The seeds stop the hair fall and are good for the proper functioning of liver. 

They are found to control diabetes and increase blood flow.

They are good in constipation and add to the facial glow. 

The contents in them fight against cancer too.

Other Benefits of Jackfruit 

The jackfruit or Kathy is the non-vegetarian substitute for vegans not only in terms of taste but also due to its nutrients.

The 100 gram of jackfruit contains 303 mg potassium, 37-gram magnesium, 24 gm carbohydrates, 0.108 gram vitamin B6, 94 calories, 14 msg folate, and Vitamin A, C, and Thymine.

Due to the rich amounts of potassium, it is very beneficial in blood pressure.

It is also good for the patients of diarrhea and asthma.

Being full of vitamin C and antioxidants, it is very good at reducing the risks of peptic ulcer.

Anemia

Anemia is the deficiency of blood in the body. It is a very common malady. As compared to natural supplements the body fails to properly assimilate the nutrients from the tablets of vitamins, minerals, and salts. 

Iron Deficiency World Map
Wikimedia Commons by Lokal_Profil

The blood mainly contains white and red blood corpuscles. The former is responsible for the immune system of the body while the anemia is caused by the deficiency of red blood corpuscles in the body. 

Anemia is caused by indigestion, physical or mental weakness, excessive menstrual blood flow, eating habits, loss of appetite and failure to form the blood.

Hemoglobin is 80 to 100 % in the blood and the anemia is caused when it comes down to 50 to 70 %. 

The symptoms are the pale skin, weakness, tiredness, shaking of hands, numbness of hands and feet, menopause, etc.

The treatment includes the intake of sufficient fruit juice containing lemon, salads, vegetable soups, and enough iron. 

For the intake of iron, it is better to cook vegetables in the utensils made of iron. The blood is formed by natural iron contained in foods, tomatoes, raisin, date, and dry fruits.

Bitter Gourd- Improves Digestion and Paralysis

The bitter gourd is indeed bitter in taste but it has several health benefits. It is a nutritious and healthy vegetable and helps in several diseases including malnutrition. Its scientific name is Momordica charantia and it is found in the tropical regions of the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. Its shape is hideous with a rough surface. It is also known as bitter melon and bitter squash.

Bitter Gourd
Wikimedia Commons by H. Zell (left),

Advantages 
It has more medicinal advantages, as compared to any other fruit or vegetable. 
It is not in the category of oily food and has dry effects. It is a storehouse of vitamins, proteins, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, sugar, beta carotene, carbohydrates, fiber, fat, and several vitamins. 


1. Take bitter gourd in cough as the phosphorus contained in it acts against cough and phlegm. 

2. It improves digestion and increases appetite. The regular intake of bitter gourd improves the digestive system and gives relief in constipation. It has cold effects and is good for problems caused by hot weather.

3. The boiled vegetable dish of bitter gourd without frying is best in asthma.

4. It is beneficial in paralysis too. The affected person should take raw bitter gourd for relief.

5. It is good in nausea, cholera, and diarrhea when its juice is taken with little water and black salt. 

6. It is good in the lever problems for which two tablespoons of juice are taken 3-4 times a day with a cup of water till recovery.

7. In jaundice grind the raw bitter gourd in water and ingest twice a day.

8. The best use of bitter gourd is in diabetes, as its bitterness reduces the blood sugar levels. Dry the pieces of bitter gourd in shade and make a powder of it. Regularly take a tablespoon of it in the morning with water to get relief in diabetes. 

9. It purifies the blood and increases the hemoglobin. 

10. In case of piles a tablespoon each of the juice of bitter gourd and sugar should be taken for a month.

11. It is also helpful in arthritis and the juice of the leaves should be massaged on hands and feet in case of burning sensation.

12. The intake of the juice of bitter gourd and lemon in the morning helps to reduce the weight. It removes toxic substances and excess fats from the body. 

13. It is good in skin problems when the paste of the leaves of bitter gourd is applied on affected areas.

14 The paste is also used in burn injuries and headache.

14. The paste mixed with a little black pepper is applied on eyelids during the sty problem. 

15. It is good in stomach disorders, fever, blood cholesterol etc.

16. It helps in malaria and should be taken during the onslaught of the disease.

17. It also helps in cirrhosis and proper functioning of the kidneys. 

18. The intake of bitter gourd as a vegetable and the application of the paste of it at night before going to bed gives relief from pimples, acnes and other skin problems.

19. The presence of minerals and vitamins in bitter gourd increase the immune system to fight even the deadly cancer.

Caution

The people having  the probelm of stomach ulcer should avoid the intake of bitter gourd. 
The excessive intake of bitter gourd may cause chest inflammation.

Heath Benefits of Vitamin D

The overexposure to sunlight causes sunburn and may lead to increased risks of skin cancer. But the moderate exposure and healthy levels of sunlight are safe and necessary for health. Because the benefits of sunbathing outweigh skin cancer risks. The vitamin D received from sunlight lowers the risk of many other cancers.

Sunbathing
celebritiesonyachts.wordpress.com 

The links between low vitamin D levels and Parkinson’s and bone disease; blood clots and diabetes; heart disease and high blood pressure, have been ascertained by the researchers. Regular exposure to sunlight has been found to help the people especially women to live longer. 
Sunbathing also reduces the risks of breast cancer.

We spend less time in sunlight as our ancestors did. Even the ancient civilizations recognized the healing power of sunlight. The people of Egypt worshiped the sun's healing powers in ancient times and made good use of them. The Greeks and Romans also knew about the healing powers of sunlight. A Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to a Danish doctor, Niels Finsen in 1903, for his discovery that tuberculosis could be cured by the rays of the sun. Now the patients with tuberculosis, rickets and war wounds are exposed to the healing powers of sunlight. 

The sunlight regulates the mood and sets our internal clock in proper order. It can alleviate tiredness, increase libido, provides alertness, and reduces depression. Limited exposure to ultraviolet type B rays synthesis the vitamin D in the body. The vitamin D helps to build and maintain strong bones and protects the body from colon, breast, prostate and many other cancer types.

Fibroid in Women - The Natural Ways to Avoid Them

Generally the non-cancerous tumors or fibroid found inside or outside of the uterus, is faced by women. Over the age of 35, it occurs in 20% to 30% of the women. These painful fibroid cause excessive bleeding and put pressure on other organs like bladder, bowels etc,. The increased level of estrogen is the chief cause of fibroid growth. It is cured by mastectomy and hormone therapy.

Fibroid is Hidden
Wikimedia Commons by beautiful-women.com

The instances of fibroid in women are very common. There are some natural ways to diminish the occurrence of fibroid. 

The cleansing the liver and kidneys help in the health of uterus.Because these organs produce essential elements and remove the toxins from the body. The lemon and apple cider vinegar cleanses these organs. 

The toxins in environmental cause the growth of fibroid, as they create estrogen imbalance in the body. So avoid the phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens. There is an xenoestrogen known as paraben which is found in many creams, soaps and cosmetics. 

On the other hand the phytoestrogens are found in plants and animals like soybeans, tofu, coffee etc. So eat the foods which inhibit the estrogen. The size of fibroid is decreased by green and organic vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli etc,. They fight estrogen, inhibit the growth of tumors and fight with cancers. 

Carrots Improve the Memory

Carrot has several uses.The cooked carrot contains more antioxidants than the raw one. Because the cooking releases more antioxidants. But it is good in both forms. It has several vitamins and minerals which help in the proper functioning of the body. 

1. The antioxidants protect from heart diseases and cancer.

Carrots
Wikimedia Commons by 4028mdk09

2. Carrots good for memory loss. The regular intake of carrot reactivated the memory cells.

3. The beta-carotene in carrot gets converted into vitamin A in the body and helps in improvement of vision. 

4. The carrot juice regulates the flow of urine and helps in bladder functions. It protects against the bladder cancers too.

5. It helps in indigestion and increases the appetite. Mix carrot juice with salt, coriander powder, cardamom, black pepper and lemon to get the benefits in indigestion.

6. It is also good in respiratory problems and reduces the lung cancer risks.