Archive for July 2011
We breathe to capture oxygen, which helps us convert food into energy in our cells, and to get rid of carbon dioxide – the waste gas which is formed as this happens. Our lungs pump these gases in and out of our bodies, and help us dissolve them in and out of our blood.
Okay, let’s go back a bit. If you think about it, cells are like little units of life. The smallest living things, bacteria, are just individual cells swimming about eating stuff. They absorb sugars or other nutrients from the air or liquid around them, and turn this “food” into energy – which they can use to grow, multiply, and squidge around looking for more food.
Got that.
Okay. Now some of these bacteria eventually evolved into bigger creatures like fish, frogs, lizards, monkeys and human beings. Those particular types of bacteria are called aerobic bacteria, which means…
…that they wore tracksuits and did lots of exercise?
Err…no. It means they have to “breathe” (or take in) oxygen in order to turn their food into energy.
Oh yeah, of course. I knew that. I mean, nobody makes tracksuits that small, for starters.
Err…right. Anyway, these bacteria and the animal cells they evolved into all need to take in oxygen for that same reason – to fuel their food-processors and produce energy.
But why do they need oxygen to do that? Couldn’t they do it without oxygen?
Well, they can for a while, at least. But the main power source for aerobic bacteria and cells comes from a chain reaction which uses oxygen – so they can’t survive without it for long. Oxygen and nutrients go into this reaction, then energy and carbon dioxide come out. The energy is stored and moved around in special molecules, while the carbon dioxide has to be removed from the cell, as it forms an acid if too much of it builds up. So in a way, aerobic bacteria “breathe in” oxygen and “breathe out” carbon dioxide. These bacteria evolved into complex animals by clustering together to form cells, tissues, organs, systems, and whole animal bodies. But since each cell still needs nutrients and oxygen for energy, the whole animal has to keep eating and breathing just to supply them.
read more on Ask Glenn (London Science Museum)
Yoga’s Health Benefits
Posted on: July 18, 2011
‘Many people report that yoga gives them an overall feeling of wellbeing. But research shows that it may also help alleviate specific kinds of pain, including migraine headaches, lower back problems,arthritis and pain during childbirth. Researchers are not sure what mechanism is at work, but one theory is that the yoga postures work like the way massage works. When a yoga posture places pressure on a nerve fiber, the signal for “pressure” is sent quickly to the brain via myelinated (insulated) nerve fibers, while the signal for “pain” reaches the brain more slowly via less myelinated nerve fibers. The signal for “pressure” closes the receptor gate and shuts out the “pain” stimulus. Another theory is that yoga causes an increase in serotonin, the body’s natural anti-pain chemical.’ Read the whole article (Chopra, Huffington Post)
Spinach surprises
Posted on: July 18, 2011
Spinach is generally not popular with children, but a slight change in eating habits can promote a long-term health improvement including eyes, memory, learning, heart and bones. It is a potent source of potassium, folate, and various antioxidants, which are known to provide neurological benefits. Spinach is a rich source of antioxidants that helps in improving memory, learning as well as reversing normal age-related declines in memory. It plays a preventative role against Alzheimer’s disease.
Good for our eyes
Posted on: July 18, 2011
- Eat spinach – the best food for good eye health is spinach. Spinach’s secret weapon, lutein, makes it one of the best foods to prevent cataract, as well as age related macular degeneration. The Optometric Association recommends 10 mg of lutein each day that amounts to about half a cup of spinach. Besides lutein, spinach is a rich source of beta carotene and xanthene, which are beneficial for eyesight. Intake of regular spinach can protect you from vitamin A deficiency, itching eyes, eye ulcers and dry eyes.
- Eat carrots (packed with vitamin A)
- Eat tinned tuna one or more times a week to cut 42% risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Wear sunglasses to cut risk of cataract and AMD
- Walk briskly for 40 min several times a week to reduce intra-ocular pressure in people with glaucoma
- Take the eye-test every two years
The power of lemon
Posted on: July 18, 2011
Lemons have long been prized as an aid to health. Their health giving components include antiseptics, antifungals, antivirals, diuretics, astringents, tonics, antioxidants, detoxifiers, anti-cancer agents, anti-inflamatories and anti-histamines. Traditional use, common sense and anecdotal evidence suggest that lemons can help many different ailments, but few scientific trials have been done because funding is problematic as lemons and their components cannot be patented.
Lemons can help with:
- Acne
- Age spots
- Ageing
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Anemia
- Ankle swelling
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Athlete’s foot
- Bites and stings
- Bronchitis
- Bruises
- Cancer
- Cataracts
- Cellulite
- Chapped lips
- Chilblains
- Chronic illness
- Colds sores
- Colds, flu and sore throat
- Constipation
- Corns and calluses
- Cough
- Cuts and grazes
- Dandruff
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Fibroids
- Fingertip splits
- Fishbone in throat
- Food intolerance
- Fractures and sprains
- Gallstones
- Gingivitis
- Hay fever
- Head lice
- Headache
- Heart disease
- Heavy periods
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Infection
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- irritable bowel syndrom
- Itching
- Kidney stones
- Low imunity
- Macular degeneration
- Memory loss
- Metabolic syndrome
- Miscarriage
- Mouth ulcers
- Muscle stiffness
- Neuralgia
- Nosebleed
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Peptic ulcer
- Piles
- Pre-eclampsia
- Pre-menstrual syndrome
- Prolapse
- Psoriasis
- Restlessness
- Scurvy
- Stress
- Strokes
- Sunburn
- Urine infection
- Varicose veins
- Warts
My Wellness Drawer 