Aloe vera: For glowing, supple and spotless skin!

What is aloe vera?

Aloe vera, (pronounced alo vera) which is said to have originated from Africa, is a stem-less or very short-stemmed succulent plant with fleshy green leaves.

Aloe vera, which is also called the ‘burnt plant’ with its anti-inflammatory, anti-healing, healing and cooling properties, is the main ingredient in several skin care products. In addition, aloe vera is rich in amino acids, vitamins A, F, C and B.


For years researchers have been conducting studies to learn the benefits of aloe vera and have found that the plant does have properties that can be effective in treating several skin conditions, minor skin infections and also burns and wounds.

Aloe vera gel is the transparent, juicy substance found in the long thick-skinned leaves of the plant. This gel is suitable for all skin types. Even people with sensitive skin can use the aloe vera gel.

Various uses of aloe vera

Anti-aging agent: Aloe vera protects, nourishes and moisturizes your skin. According to a study published in the Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry magazine, aloe vera, when applied topically, improves the levels of collagen. Aloe vera also protects your face from developing fine lines.

Before going to bed, gently massage a thin layer of fresh aloe vera on your face, around the eyes and the corners of your mouth. This will keep your skin younger looking.

Aloe vera as moisturiser: Apply aloe vera on the skin before the application of make-up. This will prevent your skin from drying. Even men can use the aloe vera gel like an aftershave. The healing properties will help in treating the minor nicks and cuts caused while shaving. During winter your skin tends to dry more often. To keep your skin hydrated, make a mask by mixing equal parts of honey and aloe vera gel (pure extract from the plant) and apply on your face. Wash it off with warm water after 15 minutes for a glowing, soft skin.

Aloe vera for treating acne: For those suffering from acne, aloe vera with its anti-inflammatory properties is a blessing. According to a study conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, aloe vera gel has more anti-inflammatory properties than one percent of cortisone cream. It also has strong antibacterial properties, which will heal the skin quickly and naturally with very little scarring.

Aloe vera to reduce stretch marks: Want to get rid of those ugly stretch marks you gained due to weight gain or pregnancy? Hundreds of women try scores of cosmetics to hide these scars, but in vain. Stretch marks are nothing but tiny tears in the skin caused due to sudden and excessive stretching. Aloe vera gel can help you with that. Regular application of aloe vera gel helps in hiding these marks by healing the wounds.

Aloe vera for sunburns: Application of aloe vera gel on sun burns will reduce the pain as well as the swelling and keep your skin moisturised. Recovery will be quicker if your skin retains its moisture.

In addition, aloe vera also acts as a brightening gel by removing dead cells and keeps oiliness under check.

So go ahead and make aloe vera a part of your daily beauty regime for a glowing, supple and spotless skin!

Stay away from stone!

Every day of your life, your kidneys are hard at work, cleansing your system, removing the toxic build-up of chemicals (that are the natural by-product of digestion) and keeping you fresh. Unfortunately, sometimes due to the kinds of food we eat and the nature of our own bodies, a hardened mass can form in our kidneys from the crystals that are naturally present in urine. These pebble-like 'stones' can hinder kidney function. They can also travel to the ureter (the tube that links the kidney with the bladder) and lodge themselves there. Eliminating this can be excruciatingly painful. "Kidney stone formation can happen to anyone and usually, 5-10% of our Indian population (over 50-100 million people) are affected by this condition," says Dr MG Rajamanickam, member of the Urological Society of India, Professor of Urology (Academic head), Sri Ramachandra Medical College Hospital, Porur, and Consultant urologist at St Isabel's Hospital, Chennai. "Men tend to be more vulnerable than women. Women are protected by the hormone estrogen which plays a vital role in preventing stone formation." But they too are at risk after menopause and sometimes, a family history can make you prone to the condition, regardless. Lifestyle factors too are to blame. For instance, lack of sufficient fluid intake, obesity, eating deep fried foods--all this can aggravate stone formation, especially if you have a tendency for it. Here's how you can fight the condition.

Fluid intake

"Dehydration remains a major cause," explains Dr Rajamanickam. "Chronic dehydration causes a super-saturated urine output, which can put you at risk. Everyone should drink at least 8-10 glasses of water and fluids (2-2.5 litres) a day. If you've suffered from stones before or have a family history, you require a daily fluid intake of 3 litres. Fluids can include fresh fruit juices, buttermilk and tender coconut." "It's best to keep a record of what you are drinking and use a small cup or glass," says Dr Nupur Krishnan, clinical nutritionist and Director of Bio-logics Nutrition Clinics, based in Mumbai. "Most of your fluid intake should be from water. Remember, the less concentrated the urine is, the better."

Food myths and misconceptions

Kidney stones are formed from the deposits of many different kinds of chemicals, but the most common one, making up nearly 80% of all stones, is calcium oxalate. For this reason, many people tend to think that cutting down on your calcium intake can help you prevent the formation of this kind of stone. "This is very widespread misconception and is just not true," says Dr Rajamanickam. "Cutting back on calcium can actually be harmful because inadequate calcium in your system (apart from causing other deficiencies) can have the opposite effect and even hasten stone formation. For this reason, be sure to make calcium (from natural sources) an important part of your daily diet, especially if you are over 50. Buttermilk (with minimal salt) is highly recommended. You can even have curd without the cream. Avoid animal proteins (from non-vegetarian food sources), junk foods, chat items, pickles, processed and packaged items, deep fried foods and salty fare." Vegetables and fresh fruit juices are ideal, but even here there are some restrictions. "I ask my patients to avoid the chickoo fruit and grapes that have seeds (the seedless kinds are alright). In all, home-made fresh foods are the best."

Another popular dietary recommendation for those with stones (and one that you may have heard of all too often) is the juice from the plantain stem (vazhathandu in Tamil). "Too much of this juice can actually cause the formation of oxalate, so the raw juice is best avoided," says Dr Rajamanickam. You can however, enjoy the lightly sautéed form of the vegetable.

Avoiding other ‘Oxalate’ foods

Some research suggests that limiting high oxalate foods may help reduce the risk of your forming oxalate stones. "Foods that are high in oxalate include: peanuts, tea, instant coffee (more than 8 ounces a day), rhubarb, beets, beans, beets, berries (blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries), chocolate, Concord grapes, dark leafy greens, oranges, tofu, sweet potatoes and draft beer," says Dr Nupur Krishnan.

Risks from metabolic factors

If you have parathyroid disease, this will change the way your body metabolizes calcium. With such a condition, regardless of your diet or lifestyle, you will be at risk to developing calcium oxalate kidney stones. Nearly 15 per cent of kidney stones are the result of uric acid deposits. If you're affected by gout (an arthritic condition that affects the small joints of the body) you would be more prone to such uric acid stones. Obesity and diabetes can leave one vulnerable as well. "Treating these metabolic conditions and going in for regular screening for stones by taking an ultrasound of the abdomen and the kidneys every year is important," says Dr Rajamanickam.

Help at hand

Most smaller stones pass by themselves, but today, help is at hand for chronic sufferers and invasive treatment is kept to a minimum. "Open surgery for stone removal is now redundant," says Dr Rajamanickam. "The most preferred method of stone removal is called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). In this technique, small stones (less than one cm) are broken down into fragments by high energy shock waves from a device outside the body. For larger stones, treatment options include Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, (PNL) which involves making a small perforation or hole, inserting a tube to endoscopically disperse the stone, without affecting kidney tissue. But even as technology advances, prevention remains the best medicine!

Ref. The Hindu

Orchid Pharma enters...

Orchid Pharma enters into agreement to transfer its Penicillin & Penem API business & its API facilities in Aurangabad to Hospira for approximately US$ 200 million

Deal to help Orchid de-leverage its debt position and fund new growth plans
Chennai-based global pharma major, Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals (Orchid) today announced that it had entered into a Business Transfer Agreement (BTA) with Hospira for the sale and transfer of Orchid’s Penicillin and Penem API business and the API facility located in Aurangabad (Maharashtra) together with an associated Process R&D infrastructure located in Chennai for a total cash consideration of approximately US$ 200 million.
This business transfer includes the related Penicillin and Penem product portfolio and pipeline. Approximately 830 employees would be transferred to Hospira, as part of this business transfer.
As some of Orchid’s API requirements for the Non-penicillin, Non-Penem, Non-cephalosporin (NPNC) business were supplied by the Aurangabad facility, Hospira will supply such NPNC API to Orchid through a long-term agreement that both companies have entered into. This agreement builds on the existing product development and commercialization relationship between Hospira and Orchid.
Orchid would continue to supply its Cephalosporin APIs to Hospira in accordance with the long-term supply contract.
This business transfer agreement also demonstrates Orchid’s ability to build value in its chosen product domains and successfully monetize them to create value for the stakeholders.
The proceeds from this business transfer will be utilized for de-leveraging Orchid’s debt position and also pave the entry for the company’s foray into newer product verticals.
From the Chairman & Managing Director
“Orchid’s business model has crossed many milestones over the years. With investments across the pharma value chain ranging from research to API & FDF manufacturing, we have harnessed key product opportunities and built a strong revenue base. Moving on, we would like to replicate this success by creating more niche product and therapeutic verticals which will continue to power our growth. This business transfer agreement with Hospira will help us fast-track our future growth while maintaining a healthy debt profile in our balance sheet. Given the current scenario, it is a prudent decision for Orchid to monetize these verticals and bring in cash to de-leverage its debt position and fund newer growth horizons,” said Mr K Raghavendra Rao, Chairman & Managing Director, Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Yoga tips for beginners

Yoga isn’t just a fitness regime,it’s a way of life. Beginners shouldn’t start off a course looking to lose weight or get into great physical shape. The most important thing for beginners is that they should keep an open mind and be ready to experience positive changes in their mind and body. Never feel discouraged by lack of flexibility or other health issues. Any specific medical issues should be discussed with the teacher prior to beginning the class. This will help the teacher tailor the lessons to suit the medical condition and specifications of the student. Here are some tips they should keep in mind:

Maintain consistency

As Swami Sivananda once said, one doctor gives you a prescription, the other gives you an opinion and the third gives you your cremation. It is not advisable to jump between different schools and styles of yoga or even different teachers as this will create instability in the self and nullify the benefits.

Be patient

 Progress is not immediate but gradual – beginners should not expect results immediately and keep moving on even if the progress is slow. It is imprudent to compare one’s own progress with that of others as every person is at a different stage in the practice and in life.

Find the right guru

Choose a good teacher who is knowledgeable about the subject in order to gain the maximum benefit from the practice.

Wear loose clothing and maintain proper hygiene 

Beginners should preferably wear loose, cotton clothing as it aids the circulation of pranic energy within the self. Lycra material, tight clothing and dark colours constrict the flow of energy and do not allow one to benefit fully from the practice. It is advisable to shower before the class as it cleanses the body and makes it more receptive to positive energy. If there is no time to shower before the class, there should be a 30 minute gap between the end of the class and the shower.

Some other pointers include: 

• Only fruits can be consumed 30 minutes prior to the class or 15 minutes after the class.
• Avoid wearing perfume disturbs the breathing exercises and is therefore not advisable.
• Cell phones and other electronic devices should be switched off or on silent and kept at a considerable distance so as to avoid distractions.
• Preferably, one must not practice under an electric fan.
• Every person should carry his or her own mat. This is not only for hygienic purposes but also to avoid mixing one’s personal vibes with those of another student.
• Students should make the most of every minute in the yoga class by arriving on time to avoid disturbing the teacher and the students. They should always be thankful to the teacher at the beginning and end of each class.

Dear friends in Aurangabad and all, like I mentioned before, yoga is not a fitness regime. It’s a way of life, a spiritual quest to find oneself. Try to realise that and don’t think of it as an alternative to gymming.  When a person practises yoga, he or she embarks upon a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth and experiences both physical and mental changes over time.

Courtesy : www.india.com 

Food Allergies

What is a food allergy?

When you have a food allergy, your body thinks certain foods are trying to harm you. Your body fights back by setting off an allergic reaction. In most cases, the symptoms are mild—a rash, a stuffy nose, or an upset stomach. A mild reaction is no fun, but it is not dangerous. A serious reaction can be deadly. But quick treatment can stop a dangerous reaction.

Allergies tend to run in families. You are more likely to have a food allergy if other people in your family have allergies like hay fever, asthma, or eczema.

Food allergies are more common in children than adults. About 7 out of 100 kids have them. Only about 3 to 4 out of 100 adults do.1 Children often outgrow their food allergies. But if you have a food allergy as an adult, you will most likely have it for life.

What are the symptoms?

Food allergies can cause many different symptoms. They can range from mild to serious. If you eat a food you are allergic to:

• Your mouth may tingle, and your lips may swell.
• You may have cramps, an upset stomach, or diarrhea.
• You may have itchy skin with red, raised bumps called hives.
• You may have a stuffy nose, wheeze, or be short of breath.
• You may feel dizzy or lightheaded.

Kids usually have the same symptoms as adults. But sometimes a small child just cries a lot, vomits, has diarrhea, or does not grow as expected. If your child has these symptoms, see your doctor.

Some people have symptoms after eating even a tiny bit of a problem food. As a rule, the sooner the reaction begins, the worse it will be.

The most severe reaction is called anaphylaxis (say “ANN-uh-fuh-LAK-suss”). It affects your whole body. Anaphylaxis usually starts within an hour after you eat the food, and the symptoms can come back 1 to 2 hours later. If you have anaphylaxis:

• Your throat and tongue may swell quickly.
• You may suddenly start wheezing or have trouble breathing.
• You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
• You may feel faint or pass out.

What foods most often cause a food allergy?

A few foods cause most allergies. A food that causes an allergy is called a food allergen. Usually it is the protein in a food that causes the problem.

Eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, and fish cause most problems in children. Most kids outgrow allergies to milk, wheat, eggs, and soy by the time they are 5. But kids rarely outgrow an allergy to peanuts or fish.

Peanuts, tree nuts (like walnuts or almonds), fish, and shellfish cause most problems in adults.

If you are allergic to one food, you may also be allergic to other foods like it. So if you are allergic to peanuts, you may also be allergic to soybeans or peas.

How is a food allergy diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and do a physical exam. Your doctor will also ask what symptoms you have. He or she may want you to write down everything you eat and any reactions you have.

If your doctor thinks you could have a serious food allergy, you may have a skin test. The doctor will put a little bit of liquid on your skin and then prick your skin. The liquid has some of the possible food allergen in it. If your skin swells up like a mosquito bite, your doctor knows you are allergic to that food. Your doctor may also do blood tests to look for the chemicals in your blood that cause an allergic reaction.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).

Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.[1] Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).

The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis can be made with chest X-rays and a CT scan, and confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma.

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity). Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions.

Mesothelioma that affects the pleura can cause these signs and symptoms:

• chest wall pain 
• pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung 
• shortness of breath 
• fatigue or anemia 
• wheezing, hoarseness, or cough 
• blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up (hemoptysis) 

In severe cases, the person may have many tumor masses. The individual may develop a pneumothorax, or collapse of the lung. The disease may metastasize, or spread, to other parts of the body.

Tumors that affect the abdominal cavity often do not cause symptoms until they are at a late stage. Symptoms include:

• abdominal pain 
• ascites, or an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen 
• a mass in the abdomen 
• problems with bowel function 
• weight loss 

In severe cases of the disease, the following signs and symptoms may be present:

• blood clots in the veins, which may cause thrombophlebitis 
• disseminated intravascular coagulation, a disorder causing severe bleeding in many body organs 
• jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin 
• low blood sugar level 
• pleural effusion 
• pulmonary emboli, or blood clots in the arteries of the lungs 
• severe ascites 

A mesothelioma does not usually spread to the bone, brain, or adrenal glands. Pleural tumors are usually found only on one side of the lungs.

Courtesy : wikepedia.org