TIPS FOR INCREASING NUTRITIVE VALUE OF FOOD

1) Always consume fresh fruits & vegetables only .

2) First wash & than cut the vegetables or fruits , never wash the food item after cutting .

3) Cut vegetables just prior to cooking . Do not cut & keep vegetables for very long as all the B-complex vitamins are destroyed by air & light .

4) Always cut vegetables in to larger pieces to avoid more nutrient loss during cooking . This is because lesser the surface area exposed to heat lesser will be the nutrient loss .

5) It is better to pressure cook vegetables because food is cooked fast & also there is minimal nutrient loss.

6) When cooking vegetables in Kadai always cover it with lid .

7) Cook vegetables at high flame & for short time ( LESS NUTRIENTS WILL BE DESTROYED AS COMPARED TO COOKING VEGETABLES ON LOW FLAME FOR LONGER TIME ).

8) Never discard the water obtained after boiling vegetables as that water is rich in nutrients ( USE THAT WATER TO PREPARE DAL OR KNEED DOUGH )

9) Avoid reheating beverages like tea & coffee.

10) If vegetables are to be boiled than first boil the water & than immerse the vegetable in order to reduce the exposure time of nutrients to heat & there by reduce the nutrient destruction by heat .

LATHYRISM

Lathyrism is a disease caused by excessive consumption of KESARI DAL . LATHYRISM gets it name from the scientific name of kesari dal which is LATHYRUS SATIVUS .Kesari dal is consumed in excess in many parts of Madhya Pradesh , Bihar & Uttar Pradesh . It is staple food in the above mentioned areas because it grows easily with minimum effort & it is comparatively cheaper than other pulses.

Excessive consumption of Kesari dal causes crippling paralysis of both the lower limbs( lathyrism ) mainly in boys & men of the age group 5-45 yers. It has been estimated that if 40 % or more of the diet consists of Kesari dal LATHYRISM manifest itself in 2-4 months . The disease starts with stiffness of the knee joint & legs with pain around the knee & ankle joints . In about 10-30 days after the onset of the symptoms paralysis of lower limbs set in

According to scientists B.O.A.A. a toxic amino acid present in the pulse is responsible for LATHYRISM . This amino acid is not found in other pulses . Till date there is no cure for Lathyrism however lathyrism can be prevented by undertaking following measures.

1) CONSUMING KESARI DAL ONLY AFTER STEEPING FOR 2-3 IN HOT WATER OR PARBOILING & DRAINING AWAY TE WATER. IN PARBOILING THE DAL IS SOAKED IN 70o C WATER FOR 3-4 HOURS & THAN STEAMING IT FOR 3-5 MINUTES . THE WATER IS THAN DISCARDED . BY THIS PROCEDURE B.O.A.A IS REMOVED .

2) NOT CONSUMING THE DAL IN LARGE QUANTITIES AT ANY TIME.

GINGIVITIS

Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. It is a manifested as change in color, enlargement, bleeding, puffiness, ulceration.

CAUSES FOR GINGIVITIS:

1)The most common cause is the accumulation of TARTAR (Calculus) is the scaly yellowish or brownish hard chalk like substance that forms at the gum margins around the teeth. This tartar irritates & pushes the gums away from the teeth & causes gingivitis. Tartar contains calcium, magnesium, bacteria & fungus. As a result there is bad smell in mouth. .Hence Tartar should be removed often by the procedure called SCALING by the dentist.


2) Poor oral hygiene is also responsible for gingivitis. Owing to improper or inadequate brushing the teeth, gums become soft & lose their resistance to infection.


3) Those who have the habit of breathing through the mouth keep the lips apart when the air strikes on the gums. The dryness & the absence of the toning effect of Saliva give rise to chronic gingivitis.


4) Pregnancy alters the hormonal balance of women & their gums are prone to enlargement & bleeding which is aggravated by the presence of tartar.


5) A number of skin diseases & general diseases including Syphilis & TB manifest themselves in the inflammation of the gums.


6) Anti –Epileptic drugs causes enlargement of the gingival.


7) Leukemia reflects itself prominently in the mouth. Sometimes the bleeding, enlarged gingival is the first evidence of cancer.


8) Vitamin C deficiency predisposes to reddened, bleeding, enlarged & spongy gums.


NON MEDICAL TREATMENT:


1) Proper oral hygiene.

2) Consume lot of fresh fruits & vegetable especially Vitamin C rich fruits like Guava , plum , peaches , oranges , Aavla , sprouted cereals & grains .

3) Drink plenty of water & do not breathe through mouth.