Radiation and Cell phones

Cell phones work by emitting radio frequency radiation (RFR) that transmit through the antenna on your phone. This antennae lies right next to your brain. The potential risk of a mobile phone comes from its emission of low levels of radio frequency radiation (RF), the same type of energy that comes off a microwave oven. The RF pulses off the device's antenna right next to the user's head, and that proximity to the brain is what concerns some researchers. It is well known that high levels of RF can produce biological damage through heating effects (this is how your microwave oven is able to cook food). However, it is not known whether, to what extent, or through what mechanism, lower levels of RF might cause adverse health effects as well.

Risks to children

Preliminary scientific evidence found exposure to radio frequency radiation might have subtle effects on biological functions, including the brain. Children may be more vulnerable because of their developing nervous system, the greater absorption of energy in the tissues of the child's head, and a longer lifetime of exposure.


Views of scientists and researchers

Inconclusive. There have been some 200 studies on the safety of cell phones. And they all seem to conflict concluding that scientists still aren't sure as to the safety of cell phones. The catch is that these are short-term studies. Cell phones have only been in the mainstream for a few years. No one is sure of the long-term effects.

Preventive measures

Limit time spent on your cell phone.
Use a phone design that moves the antennae away from the head.
Discourage children from using them.
Don't use a cell phone if the signal is weak. The phone shoots out more radiation to compensate for a poor signal.

SAR Levels

Human exposure levels to mobile phones are measured by testing the Specific Absorption Rate, referred to as SAR .The SAR measures how much energy is absorbed into the body. Individual countries set SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) guidelines, which indicate to the public what level of radio or other electromagnetic waves emitted by electrical appliances, is safe. In the UK,these guidelines are set by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB)and the SAR limit for the general public is set at 10 watts per
kilogram (w/kg). ICNIRP*set the SAR limit for the general public at 2 watts per kilogram (w/kg).

Are mobile phones dangerous ?

Radiowaves given off by mobiles can heat-up body tissue, having damaging effects Radiowaves are not powerful enough to cause heat damage to the body

Magnetic fields created by mobile phones can affect the way that your body cells work
The magnetic fields are incredibly small, and so unlikely to affect cells in our body


People who make long mobile phone calls sometimes complain of fatigue, headaches, and loss of concentration The same results have never been reported in laboratory conditions and may be due to other factors in modern lifestyles

Mobile phone users are 2.5 times more likely to develop cancer in areas of the brain adjacent to their phone ears Researchers admit it's unclear this increase is linked to using mobiles

The International Agency for Research on Cancer found a link between childhood cancer and power lines. Like mobile phones, power lines also emit radiation The radiation produced by powerlines is a differnet kind of radiation, with much more energy than that coming from mobile phones

Radiofrequency waves similar to those in mobile phones altered the gene expression in nematode worms Worms are not humans, there is no guarantee that our brain cells will behave in the same way

If you are worried about the potential hazards of cell-phone radiation, here are few ways to reduce your risk:

Use a hands-free headset.
Use a phone that places the antenna as far away from you as possible.
Extend the antenna during use.
Limit calls inside buildings.
Use the phone in open spaces as often as possible.
Limit use by children.

The Metabolic Syndrome

Since cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease is the leading cause of death for adults in developed countries, many medical studies focus on treating or preventing heart disease and stroke. The metabolic syndrome, a collection of unhealthy body measurements and abnormal laboratory test results, may identify persons at high risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Aggressive lifestyle modification and possible use of medications to treat the conditions that make up the metabolic syndrome may reduce a person's chances of developing heart disease or stroke. The metabolic syndrome has also been called syndrome X or insulin resistance syndrome.

How is the metabolic syndrome diagnosed?

There are no well-accepted criteria for diagnosing the metabolic syndrome. The criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), with minor modifications, are currently recommended and widely used.

The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommend that the metabolic syndrome be identified as the presence of three or more of these components:

* Elevated waist circumference:
Men — Equal to or greater than 40 inches (102 cm)
Women — Equal to or greater than 35 inches (88 cm)
*
Elevated triglycerides:
Equal to or greater than 150 mg/dL
* Reduced HDL (“good”) cholesterol:
Men — Less than 40 mg/dL
Women — Less than 50 mg/dL
* Elevated blood pressure:
Equal to or greater than 130/85 mm Hg
* Elevated fasting glucose:
Equal to or greater than 100 mg/dL

TREATING THE METABOLIC SYNDROME

Lifestyle modifications include weight loss, regular exercise, stopping smoking, and reducing dietary fat intake. Losing just 10% of excess body weight lowers blood pressure and improves insulin resistance. Some persons may be able to treat high blood pressure and hyperglycemia by altering their lifestyle alone. In many individuals, lifestyle modification is not adequate, and medications must be used to decrease blood pressure, lower triglycerides, and increase the level of HDL.

Because these problems are often linked, treating one aspect of the metabolic syndrome may help the other issues. For example, regular exercise can help you lose weight, reduce blood pressure, and manage hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Combining healthful eating with a regular exercise program is the cornerstone of treating the metabolic syndrome and reducing risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other medical problems.


PREVENTION

* Exercise regularly throughout your life.
* Encourage children to have daily physical activity and make healthful food choices.
* Eat a healthful, balanced diet low in saturated fats and high in nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables.
* Do not smoke.
* Recognize that you may have a genetic (inherited) predisposition for diabetes, heart disease, and the metabolic syndrome.
* Have regular medical check-ups and initiate early treatment for high blood pressure.

Benefits of Jackfruit

Jackfruit is a very good source of potassium and vitamin C.
What is Jackfruit

The jackfruit is a huge, spined, oval fruit that is believed to have been first cultivated in Indian rainforests. The exterior of the fruit is not edible, but the flesh and seeds are commonly eaten. When the fruit has turned from green to yellow, it is ready to be picked. Jackfruit tends to be an acquired taste and frequently does not appeal to those unfamiliar with it.

What are the uses of jackfruit?

The pulp of the young fruit is cooked as a vegetable, pickled or canned. Pulp of ripe fruit is eaten fresh or made into various local delicacies including chutney, jam, jelly, and paste, or preserved as candies by drying or mixing with sugar, honey or syrup. The pulp is also used to flavour ice cream and beverages, made into jackfruit honey, reduced to concentrate or powder, and used for preparing drinks. The seeds can be eaten boiled, roasted or dried and salted as table nuts, or they can be ground to make flour and blended with wheat flour for baking. Young leaves can be used as fodder for cattle and other live stock.

Benefits of Jackfruit

1. Jackfruit is a very good source of potassium and good source of vitamin C.
2. Potassium rich in jackfruit may help to regulate your blood pressure.
3. Jackfruit contains lignans, isoflavones, saponins, that are called phytonutrients and their health benefits are wide-ranging from anti-cancer to antihypertensive, anti-ageing, antioxidant, anti-ulcer, etc.
4. The jackfruit root is a remedy for skin diseases and asthma. An extract of the root is taken to cure fever and diarrhoea. Jackfruit provides a good supply of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins.

Nutrition chart (Amount in 100 grams of edible portion)
ENERGY (kilocalories) 94
WATER (grams) 73.23
FAT (grams) 0.3
PROTEIN (grams) 1.47
CARBOHYDRATES (grams) 24.01
FIBER (grams) 1.6

VITAMINS : Fat Soluble
Vitamin A (mcg-RAE) 15

Water Soluble
Vitamin C (mg) 6.7
Riboflavin (mg) 0.11
Pyridoxine(B6) (mg) 0.108

MINERALS(mg)
Calcium 34
Iron 0.6
Magnesium 37
Phosphorus 36
Potassium 303
Sodium 3
Zinc 0.42
Copper 0.187
Manganese 0.197


The jackfruit is the shape of a large melon. The fruit has a grey skin, and contains a great number of pips or kernels which are about the size of a pigeon's egg. These, when roasted, taste like chestnuts. The fruit is yellow and succulent, of a sweet taste and powerful smell. Thais eat the yellow flesh alone, with ice cream or mixed with other fruits and coconut milk in a compote. The cooked seeds find their way into many dishes. We put almost every part of the jack fruit tree to use. The young jack fruit used in curries, the seed is also used up. Sometimes the seeds are sun dried and stored for the winter.