For these alluringly green vegetable are irrigated with untreated sewage water that contain high levels of lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury and arsenic, a research by Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) suggests. According to the study, the menace takes alarming proportion as consignments of such unsafe vegetables are making inroads into the city market uninterrupted from adjoining areas in the absence of a system to check the edibility of such items.
As per the IIHR research conducted over a period of fours years in suburban areas of Bellandur Tank, Varthur Tank, Nagawara Tank and Byramangala Tank the vegetables irrigated with sewage water contain high levels of lead, cadmium, chromium, mercury, arsenic and other heavy metal contents.
The study further said the prolonged use of untreated sewage water for irrigation has also contaminated the soil. Rampant use of pesticides has also added to the problem.
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At 91, Bernice Bates may not look like a typical yoga instructor but the Florida based great-grandmother has been named the world’s oldest yoga teacher by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Bates has been practising yoga for the last 50 years and credits the ancient Indian exercise form for her years of good health.
She was nominated for the Guinness record earlier this year by her daughter.
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Scientists have discovered a gene which they claim can determine more accurately whether a woman has an increased risk of developing breast cancer. An international team, led by University of Melbourne, says its has used new technology to fast track the discovery of the breast cancer risk gene, called XRCC2, which could in turn assist in the discovery of other cancer genes.
Prof Melissa Southey, who led the study, said it was a significant discovery and the first breast cancer risk gene to be discovered using the latest genetic sequencing technology. “The mutations in the newly identified gene XRCC2, although rare, explain another proportion of breast cancers that run in families where there is no known genetic cause and that particularly occur at an early age.”
“We identified this gene quite quickly using genetic technology called massively parallel sequencing, which enables sequencing of large amounts of human DNA at high speed. “Due to these results and our methodology we believe that further breast cancer risk genes will be identified at a faster rate than before and potentially for other cancers such as colorectal and prostate cancers,” she said.
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With summers in full swing and the mercury heading north, doctors advise that apart from drinking lots of water, a special summer diet consisting of light and healthy food would ensure a cool mind and body. Ritika Samadar, chief dietician at Max Hospital, said fluids with electrolytes like coconut water and lemonade should be consumed and oily foods have to be avoided. “In summer, light food should be preferred which can be digested easily. So, oily and junk food like pizzas, burgers must be avoided,” Samadar said.
Vijai K.S. Shukla, chairperson, Omega 3 Council of India, says that vegetables with high water content like onions, tomatoes and cucumbers should be regularly eaten as they will not only cool down the body but provide the daily quota of nutrition as well. “For the meat lovers, there is a delicious alternative to fried chicken and red meat — roasted or grilled fish which have high amounts of fatty acids helping in regulating blood pressure, immune responses and liver function,” said Shukla.
Omega 3 Council of India is a non-profit trade and marketing association promoting intake of Omega 3 fatty acids for better all round health. Some of the most beneficial food items during summer, according to doctors, are:
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A US study has found that the commonly used antibiotic, azithromycin, poses a big threat to the heart. The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine says that azithromycin can cause cardiovascular death.
According to the study, azithromycin poses a two-and-a-half time higher risk of cardiovascular death compared to other antibiotics or no antibiotic.
Doctors have found that heart patients on statins are never prescribed azithromycin because of the high risk of muscle damage.
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