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.

GOITER & GOITROGENS IN FOOD

Iodine is an essential micro nutrient for all animal species & iodine deficiency is among the most prevalent nutritional problem in many developing countries.

In 1928 Chesney & his colleagues at Johns Hopkin Hospital made the chance observation that rabbits rose in the laboratory for the study of Syphilis & fed largely on Cabbage developed Goiter .This observation was followed up by Charles Hercus & his colleague in New Zealand .They established the goitrogenic properties of Cabbage, Turnip & particularly the seeds of Cabbage, Mustard & Rye. A large number of food stuffs possess anti-thyroid agents collectively designated as Goitrogens.

Depending upon the level of interference the goitrogens have been categorized into three classes.

CLASS 1 GOITROGENS:

Are those which inhibit the Iodine uptake by Thyroid gland.These are Thiocynate, Isothiocynate & cyanogenic glucosides.

CLASS 2 GOITROGENS:

Are those which affect the stages of Organification & coupling in the process of Thyroxin synthesis.These are Thiourea & Flavonoides.

CLASS 3 GOITROGENS:

Are those which interfere at the stage of Proteolysis-a step necessary for utilization of Thyroxine.These are Iodine itself when it is in excess & lithium.


In Sudan endemic Goiter & Iodine deficiency disorders are serious health problems.In these areas Iodine deficiency was identified as the principal etiologic factor. However consumption of Pearl Millet ( Bajra) was suggested as an instrumental factor in the etiology of Endemic Goiter in Western Sudan. Pearl millet or Bajra is the main source of food energy for the rural people in many areas of semiarid tropics. Studies showed that the goitrogenic substance was present in both bran & endosperm portions of the grain & was not destroyed by grain fermentation however autoclaving reduced the goitrogeic properties of Pearl Millet.The Goitrogenic substances present in Pearl Millet are Glycosyl Vitexin, Glycosyl Orientin & Vitexin.

Sorghum ( Jowar ) like Pearl Millet ( Bajra ) also contains goitrogenic substance .The goitrogen in Sorghum is known as Dhurin. Cassava is cultivated extensively in developing countries & represents an essential dietary source of energy for more than 200 million people in the tropics.Casava has been demonstrated in the etiology of endemic Goiter & endemic Cretinism in Zaire.Casava contained Linamarin which is groitrogenic substance.The proper processing of Cassava-drying , soaking in water , rinsing or baking effectively reduces Cassava’s Linamarin content. Vegetables from Cruciferae family like Cabbage , Broccoli , Turnip etc also contain goitrogens.However with heating they get destroyed. Soya bean even the processed ones have anti thyroid properties. Genistein & Daizein are much touted for their health benefits but what is unpublicized is they are anti-thyroid agents.Therefore individuals who consume Soyabean products habitually may encounter thyroid disturbances.

Thus foods containing goitrogens should not be eaten regularly or in large amounts without adequate processing .However the same foods can be used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

BLOOD PRESSURE & HYPERTENSION

Classification of Blood Pressure for adults :

CATEGORY SYSTOLIC / DIASTOLIC



Optimal < 120 mmHg / <80 mmHg


Normal <130 mmHg / < 85 mmHg


High Normal 130-139 mmHg / 85-89mmHg
(are at a risk )


Mild Hypertension 140-159 mmHg / 90-99 mmHg


Moderate Hypertension 160-179 mmHg / 100-109 mmHg


Severe Hypertension 180-209 mmHg / 110-119 mmHg


Very Severe Hypertension >210 mmHg / >120 mmHg

CAUSES OF DENTAL CARIES

TEETH ARE LIKE WIVES WHEN THEY ARE THEIR WE FIGHT WITH THEM & WHEN WE LOSE THEM WE CRY. THIS IS AN OLD SAYING. A major reason due to which we lose teeth is dental caries. In order to protect them from decay we should first know what causes decay.

1) ACID REFLUX DISORDERS :
Both gastric reflux & self induced vomiting observed in eating disorders commonly irritate oral tissue & destroy dental enamel. The extent of oral tissue damage depends on the frequency of the purging & cariogenicity of the diet. The most obvious symptom of bulimia is loss of tooth enamel because of frequent self induced vomiting.


2) LACK OF SALIVARY FLOW :
Saliva has anti bacterial & neutralizing properties. These two properties are of significance as caries is a disease where bacteria &acids are involved. The average amount of salivary secretions in 24 hours is roughly estimates as 1& ½ lts .The flow is not steady in an individual as rate of secretion is influenced by various factors. The condition of dryness of mouth called XEROSTOMIA may be caused by number of diseases that interrupt the secretary nerve pathway. A regular flow of saliva aids in bringing down the caries rate. Individuals who have to undergo radiation of the parotid salivary gland of left side develop more caries on the left side because of decreases salivary flow in left side.


3) MEDICATIONS USED:
Several categories of medications can affect the integrity of the oral mucosa, taste, sensation & salivary production. Care should be taken to assess the effects of medications in the oral cavity & how these effects can be minimized by alterations in diet or during therapy. The following medications affect teeth

- Anti anxiety agents

- Anti depressants

- Anti histamines

- Anti hypertensives

- Diuretics

- Sedatives

- Tranquilizers

4) NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY:
Nutrition plays a significant part in the caries incidence. Deficiency of Vitamin A, C, D & proteins in infants & children result in their teeth being more vulnerable to decay than those of others. Lady Mallenby, the famous British dental researcher who studied the nutritional aspect of dental caries for over 30 years demonstrated that adequate supplements of Vitamins, Calcium & Phosphorus to diets brought an appreciable drop in caries incidence.


5) SOFT FOOD :
Today's finely powdered flour without a trace of husk harms the teeth of people as food made from refines flour needs no chewing & it rapidly forms into a sticky mass that adheres to the teeth .

OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is typically defined as reduction in bone mineral mass that results in decreased bone strength & increased susceptibility to fracture with only mild or moderate trauma.It is a major health problem through out the world owing to the morbidity, mortality & cost of care which are consequence of the fractures.Osteoporosis is classified as Primary & Secondary Osteoporosis.

Primary Osteoporosis is further classified as Post menopausal & Age Related Osteoporosis.

Secondary Osteoporosis is caused due to long term Glucocorticoid treatment. Glucocorticoids are a class of drugs used to treat a range of chronic inflammatory diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Asthma , other respiratory disorders & to suppress the rejection of transplanted organs. Adverse effects associated with the use of Glucocorticoids are decreased intestinal absorption & increased urinary excretion of Calcium, inhibition of Osteoblast function and increased bone resorption.Each of these mechanism result in accelerated bone loss & increase risk of fracture.Osteoporosis occurs in more than half of patients who receive long term Glucocoricoid treatment. Secondary Osteoporosis is also caused by elevated levels of thyroid hormone whether due to thyrotoxicosis or excess replacement therapy in Hypothyroidism.The thyroid hormone acts on Osteoclasts indirectly through the Osteoblasts therefore bone resorption exceeds bone formation thus resulting in Bone loss.

Age related Osteoporosis is seen in both males & females. Bone density decreases with age due to decline in physical activity & decreased Calcium intake. Evidence suggests that initiating exercise in older people who were initially sedentary individuals has increased their bone density & slowed bone loss.

Till now it is clear to you that not only Post menopausal women suffers from Osteoporosis but also men & women who have received Glucocorticoid treatment for a very long time or have elevated levels of Thyroid hormone or are not exercising suffer from Osteoporosis. Alcoholics are also at a risk of developing Osteoporosis. Since Ethanol damages the liver thereby the synthesis of 25(OH) Colicalciferol ( a form of Vitamin D) is reduced.Vitamin D is necessary for absorption of Calcium. Also excess of Ethanol causes low Testosterone levels & decreased Testosterone levels leads to Osteoporosis.

Thus the belief of many people that only elderly women are victims of Osteoporosis is in correct.