Chandravanshi Phase-2 of corona virus vaccination is starting across the country from March 1. Till now, the frontline workers were getting vaccinated. Now other people will also feel. Now the work of giving vaccine will be started to those people who are 60 years or above. Apart from this, vaccinations will also be given to those who are 45 years or above and suffering from some other disease. Vaccination will be done at 10 thousand government and 20 thousand private health centers. Those who go to the government center and get the vaccine installed, they will be given a free vaccine. At the same time, on February 27, Saturday, the government also made it clear that the corona virus vaccine will be installed in private hospitals for Rs 250.

The state can use around 10,000 hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY scheme and 687 hospitals under CGHS as Covid Vaccination Centers (CVCs). Apart from this, PSUs can also be used as CVC.

The first phase of Kovid vaccination in the country started on 16 January. Under this, frontline workers were being given dosages of covaxine and covishield. The government claims that about 1.5 crore vaccination has been done so far.
Let us tell that the cases of corona virus are increasing once again in all the states of the country. Experts say that this is not the second wave of Kovid, but only and only the result of our carelessness. Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written a letter to all the states and union territories. Some new guidelines have been released. Whatever guidelines were issued on 27 January 2021 regarding the corona, about the containment zone, protocols, are being extended till 31 March 2021. Apart from this, the DGCA (Aviation Regulatory Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has also extended the ban on international flights till 31 March. Previously this ban was for 28 February.

Popular knowledge has it that eggs, due to their high cholesterol content, are quite bad for us. New research, however, suggests we would do well to indulge in more egg consumption: about one per day could help us to steer clear of cardiovascular conditions.

If you’ve ever heard that eating more than two or three eggs per week is bad for your health, you’re not alone.

Some studies have suggested that, due to yolks’ high cholesterol content, eggs can be a harmful food — particularly for people already at risk of cardiovascular events.

The idea that eggs may pose danger to health has also been spread widely by many popular websites and magazines.

However, despite being rich in cholesterol, eggs are also a great source of healthful nutrients, such as protein, vitamins, phospholipids, and carotenoids.

And, recent research has increasingly gathered evidence showing that eggs don’t really influence the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

One study published in 2013 in The BMJ, for example, concluded that eating up to one egg per day was not tied to a heightened risk of heart disease or stroke.

Another study, published earlier this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggested that a “high-egg diet” of up to 12 eggs per week did not increase cardiovascular risk.

But recent research from the School of Public Health at Peking University Health Science Center in Beijing, China, goes even further.

Lead investigators Prof. Liming Li and Dr. Canqing Yu have now found that a diet in which eggs are consumed on a regular basis may actually protect cardiovascular health.

The team’s findings were published yesterday in the journal Heart.

‘Moderate egg consumption’ may lower risk
About 84 million people in the United States have some form of CVD, and about 2,200 people die each day due to their condition. And, in China, the rates for cardiovascular conditions are even higher.

In China in 2014, an estimated “837,300 urban residents and 1,023,400 rural residents died from cerebrovascular diseases,” according to recent data. And the most widespread conditions are stroke — both hemorrhagic and ischemic — and ischemic heart disease, in that order.

These numbers motivated the researchers involved in the new study to investigate what role — if any — egg consumption plays in modifying the risk for CVD.

In order to do so, they analyzed data sourced via the China Kadoorie Biobank, which is an ongoing prospective study investigating the genetic and environmental causes of chronic diseases among the Chinese population.

In this study, Prof. Li and team analyzed health-related information from 416,213 adult participants recruited in 2004–2008. They were all free of cancer, CVD, and diabetes at baseline.

At recruitment, the participants reported how often they ate eggs — 13.1 percent of them admitting to daily consumption (about 0.76 eggs per day) and 9.1 percent saying that they only indulged in eggs rarely (0.29 eggs per day) or not at all.

There was a median follow-up period of 8.9 years, during which new health diagnoses and deaths were recorded. During that time, 83,977 participants received a CVD diagnosis, and 9,985 people died due to CVD-related causes. Moreover, 5,103 major coronary events were recorded.

The researchers’ analysis revealed that individuals who usually ate about one egg per day had a 26 percent lower risk of experiencing hemorrhagic stroke, a 28 percent lower risk of death due to this type of event, and an 18 percent lower risk of CVD-related mortality.

Almost daily egg consumption — or around 5.32 eggs per week — was also linked to a 12 percent lower risk of ischemic heart disease, compared with people who never or rarely ate this food (amounting to approximately 2.03 eggs per week).

“The present study finds that there is an association between moderate level of egg consumption (up to 1 egg/day) and a lower cardiac event rate,” the study authors explain.

Prof. Li and team warn that this was an observational study, so it would be unwise to conclude that there is necessarily a causational effect between egg consumption and a lower risk of CVD.

However, the large population sample size with which the researchers worked, as well as the fact that they adjusted for confounding factors — both known and potential CVD risk factors — imply that this is a strong possibility.

“Our findings,” the researchers conclude, “contribute scientific evidence to the dietary guidelines with regard to egg consumption for the healthy Chinese adult.”

The Nature and Impact of Brain Cancer
Brain cancer, or a brain tumor, occurs when a mass of abnormal cells forms in the brain. These tumors can be either primary, originating in the brain itself, or secondary, which are cancers that have spread (metastasized) from other parts of the body. Primary brain tumors can arise from various brain tissues, including the neurons, glial cells, or the meninges (the brain’s protective lining).

According to the American Brain Tumor Association, approximately 700,000 Americans are living with a primary brain tumor, and an estimated 87,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2021 (ABTA). Brain tumors can affect individuals of any age, but certain types are more prevalent in children or adults.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Brain Cancer
The symptoms of brain cancer can be subtle and often resemble those of less serious conditions, which can lead to delayed diagnosis. Common symptoms include:

Persistent headaches, often worsening in the morning
Sudden vision changes, including blurred or double vision
Dizziness or loss of balance
Nausea or vomiting, particularly in the morning
Unexplained fatigue and weakness
Cognitive and personality changes, such as memory loss or mood swings
Seizures, which may be a first sign in some cases
Additional symptoms can include:

Stroke-like symptoms
Sensory changes, such as numbness
Hearing loss
Difficulty with coordination or movement
Facial weakness
Behavioral and cognitive changes
It’s important to consult a healthcare professional if you experience any persistent or unusual symptoms.

Types of Brain Tumors
Brain tumors are classified as either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Malignant brain tumors can be aggressive and spread to other parts of the brain or spinal cord. Benign brain tumors grow more slowly and are less likely to recur after treatment.

Risk Factors for Brain Cancer
While the exact cause of most brain cancers is unknown, several risk factors have been identified:

Genetic predisposition: A family history of brain tumors can increase risk.
Exposure to radiation or certain chemicals.
Previous cancer history: Childhood cancer survivors and those with leukemia are at higher risk.
Age: Risk increases with age, although some types are more common in younger individuals.
Compromised immune systems, such as in individuals with HIV/AIDS.
Diagnostic Tests for Brain Cancer
To diagnose brain cancer, doctors may use:

Neurological exams to assess vision, hearing, balance, coordination, and reflexes.
Imaging tests like MRI and CT scans to visualize the brain structure.
Angiograms to detect blood vessel abnormalities associated with tumors.
Biopsies, which involve removing a small sample of brain tissue for analysis, are the definitive method for diagnosing brain cancer.
Treatment Options for Brain Cancer
Treatment for brain cancer typically involves a combination of therapies, which may include:

Surgery

If the tumor is accessible, surgeons aim to remove as much of it as possible. In some cases, complete removal is not possible due to the tumor’s location or the risk of damaging critical brain areas.

Radiation Therapy
This treatment uses high-energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. External beam radiation is the most common form, but in rare cases, internal radiation (brachytherapy) may be used.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs can be administered orally or intravenously to kill cancer cells. The specific drugs used depend on the type of brain cancer.

Innovative Treatments and Research
Researchers are continually exploring new treatments, such as targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and personalized medicine, to improve outcomes for brain cancer patients.

Seeking Medical Attention
If you suspect you or a loved one may have symptoms of brain cancer, it’s crucial to seek medical advice promptly. Early detection and treatment can significantly affect the prognosis.

For more information on brain cancer treatment options, you can reach out to reputable medical institutions or cancer organizations for guidance and support.

The one trend everyone tries to follow is healthy eating, but are we really eating the right food?

We have all heard of good foods and bad foods, but there are certainly some food items that you think provide health benefits when in reality they don’t.

Foods labeled as “healthy”, “diet-food”, “sugar-free”, “cholesterol-free” and “low fat” are nothing but mere labels. In fact, these so-called healthy foods are actually disguised with an immense amount of preservatives, sugars and oils.

As healthy foods become a growing trend, groceries and brands are constantly convincing us to buy their “healthy gluten-free products” but it’s our duty to look beyond the labels.

Here’s a list of the top 10 unhealthy foods that are disguised as healthy:

1. Milk with malted drink powders
Malted drinks such as Bournvita, Complan, Milo and Horlicks is every kid’s favorite drink. They claim to be “sugar-free” but if you carefully look at the nutritional value, you’ll find that they are actually artificial sweeteners. See the nutritional value at the back of the product, and it will show that approximately 50% of the content is nothing but sugar. Kids love the sweetness of malted drinks, but unknowingly it is creating adverse effects on their body as it stops the growth of good bacteria and is slowly harming their gut health. Unless the gut is strong, immunity won’t be strong.

These malted drink powders are highly processed and filled with maltodextrin, which is a white starchy powder made from corn, rice or potato starch. It affects the body by constantly spiking your insulin level and suppresses the growth of good bacteria.

To substitute malted powders, you could have Kesar, dates, jaggery or turmeric milk. As a healthier option, you could also try making dry fruits powder and have it with warm milk. Try to habituate your child with natural substitutes for sugar instead of appealing them with chocolate powders.

2. Multi-grain flour
Nowadays, multi-grain atta (flour) is found in almost every kitchen. Mixing various grains together such as jowar, bajra, ragi, besan and even quinoa creates an immensely high fiber atta which is problematic. Excess of fibers causes failure to absorb essential micronutrients such as zinc, calcium, or iron, and instead completely flushes them out of the body.

My advice would be to have one atta at a time. Rather than multi-grain, consuming one type of flour will allow your body to completely absorb the enzymes and nutrients that each atta has to offer. For example, ragi is rich in calcium so have it with wheat or have only jowar with wheat so the ratio of 70:30 is maintained. 70% should be the chosen millet flour of your choice and 30% wheat, so the nutrients can be easily absorbed and will keep you satisfied longer.

3. Fruit juices
I know what you are thinking – how can fruit juices be bad for me?

Unfortunately, packaged fruit drinks are a big NO. They claim to be “natural with no additional flavors” but the nutritional value proves otherwise. Packaged fruit juices are filled with sugar and harmful preservatives. Do not expect any real fruit content in them.

It is true that fresh fruit juices are better, but they should be avoided too. When we blend the fruits to make juice, the majority of the nutrition gets lost and the result is not a nutritious drink but rather an energy drink that acts as a short-term insulin booster. In order to fully absorb the nutrients from fruits, chewing the whole raw fruit would be advisable.

4. Artificial sweeteners
Another unhealthy item masqueraded as healthy is artificial sweeteners. Aspartame, sucrose and saccharin are a few of them that we intake with many products these days. They are great at confusing our digestive system. The role of sugar is to release glucose, which will mix with our blood and message the pancreas to do its job.

However, when we consume artificial sweeteners as a substitute for sugar, it confuses our system, and our pancreas receives an unclear message about what to do. In the long term, this leads to an improper functioning of the pancreas and as a result, increases your sugar craving!

While they may sound harmless, artificial sweeteners work in the same way as malted drinks by flushing the good bacteria out of the guts and could affect our immunity, brain functioning and even lead to cancer.

5. Low cholesterol butter
Low-fat foods aren’t necessarily the best option. Butter and ghee products that market themselves as low fat or low cholesterol may seem healthy, but in reality they are filled with high amounts of sodium which can affect blood pressure and heart functioning.

Along with high sodium, it can also have hidden trans fats, which our body does not require at all as it affects fat metabolism adversely.

Instead homemade butter or ghee is advisable. Homemade saturated fats contain short-chain fatty acid, which works to improve fat metabolism.

6. Gluten-free foods
Gluten-free foods are almost as harmful as gluten foods. Gluten-free pasta, noodles or flakes may seem like a healthy option but not to forget they are filled with unnecessary starchy content, chemicals, and preservatives. Consuming high amounts of processed gluten-free foods affects the gut health negatively and are in fact just empty calories. Instead, try reaching for a whole fruit like an apple with a handful of nuts or boiled eggs to benefit from a mix of healthy fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

Also, lack of time and laziness causes us to take shortcuts towards our food and leads to problems. Once in a time gluten-free pasta or food is okay, but make sure that you don’t make it a part of your lifestyle unless you have been detected with some sort of intolerance.

7. Vegetable oils
If you think substituting refined oil with vegetable oil is a better option, then this might surprise you. One of my clients told me he uses a “diabetic friendly oil” but just because it has “diabetic friendly” or “heart-friendly” in its name, does not mean that it is good for you. It is nothing but a fancier name for a type of refined oil that has almost no nutritional value.

Highly processed vegetable oils contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which means it has high amounts of Omega-6. Excess of this can disturb cell communication in the body and lead to hormonal issues. This happens because our body requires a balance between omega-3 and Omega 6.

To maintain this balance, use desi ghee, coconut oil, sesame, mustard oil or even extra virgin olive oil.

8. Microwaveable popcorn
On the surface level, microwaveable popcorn seems like a healthy go-to snack because of its low-calorie intake. But when you look at the nutritional aspect, you will find that these popcorns have high sodium content and trans fats which slows our fat metabolism creating weight-related problems.

As a healthier alternative, try having foxnuts also known as “makhanas”. However, remember to check the nutritional content for high sodium before buying them. To get the full nutrition of a high fiber snack, you could also make makhana at home! All you need to do is roast them with a little ghee and a spice flavor of your choice.

9. Energy bars and biscuits
Once and for all, just because it’s labeled as “energy” bars doesn’t mean it is necessarily good for you. They contain high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Not to mention, the high quantity of preservatives found in these so-called “sugarless” bars and biscuits only proves to harm gut health by increasing inflammation.

You may think that digestive biscuits are a healthy snack but in reality, they made from refined flour which is not good for our body as it cannot absorb the vital micronutrients that we need.

For a more nutritional snack, you can try making oats or coconut and sesame ladoo at home. Even though it may seem like a tedious job, I promise you that it will provide long-term benefits and help you lead a healthy life.

10. Ready-made soups and salads
When you are really busy or tired, ready-made salad or soup may sound like the healthiest option. Not to mention they are nothing but high amounts of sodium and other preservatives disguised as healthy food.

In the name of healthy salads, unfortunately those salad dressings have sugar and unhealthy fats. While you think you are having low-fat salad, you are unknowingly raising bad cholesterol instead of good cholesterol.

Final words…
Now you know the foods labeled as healthy come with an additional burden of hidden sodium content or disguised sugar.

My advice would be to eat as much homemade food as possible. Otherwise, check the nutritional content and reduce the dependency on unhealthy food.

Most of the time, these so-called healthy foods do not deserve the health halo that everyone gives them. So, please be aware of the overall nutritional value of food and don’t blindly follow the “labels.”