WAIST PAIN,CAUSES

where is waist located in the body?

Waist is the abdominal area that is located between the hips and the rib cage.some times people complain about waist pain.

This mainly happens because of poor sitting posture. People sitting on chairs that provide inadequate support to the lower back area, are vulnerable to this form of backache. However, there are quite a few waist pain treatment options, that can provide relief to this part of abdomen.
                             some causes of waist pain include:                                                                     aside inappropriate postures and overuse, there are other factors such as spinal stenosis (due to arthritis) and spondylosis that can contribute to waist pain. Other causes are given below:

Sciatica: The sciatic nerve travels from the hip area, moves along the back area of both the legs and then ends at the feet. The roots of this nerve are found in the lower spine. When these nerve roots are subjected to undue pressure, the resulting pain may travel all the way down to the legs. The compression of the nerve is mainly attributed to displacement of a part of the discs (tough elastic tissues that lie between the bones of the lower spine) from their original position. The displaced disc partially compresses the nerve roots that are lying over it. Sciatica pain is persistent and is felt anywhere between the hip area and the feet.

Pregnancy: Waist pain during pregnancy is common and occurs because of the growing uterus putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. In other words, the sciatic nerve has to face the brunt of the expanded uterus, which ultimately leads to lower back pain.

Muscle Spasms: The term 'muscle spasms' refers to involuntary contraction of certain muscle groups. When this phenomenon occurs in the lower back area, it can cause waist pain. This involuntary muscle movement usually continues for a few seconds, but sometimes can last up to several minutes.

Kidney Problems: Formation of kidney stones or renal diseases characterized by infection of the filtering units of the kidneys can also cause waist pain. As the kidneys lie in the lower back region, any issues with these vital organs is bound to cause mild to moderate waist pain. Some kidney stone patients complain about sharp pain in the lower abdomen that travels all the way down to the groin area.

Treatment

Taking rest as much as possible and avoiding activities like lifting heavy weights, is the mainstay of the treatment. Depending upon the underlying cause, the doctor may opt for the following treatment options:

Medications: Involuntary contraction of muscles located near the waist area, can bring a lot of discomfort. To reduce symptoms and episodes of muscle spasms, the patient is advised to take muscle relaxants such as baclofen (lioresal) and diazepam (valium). Nerve damage resulting from herniated disc may be treated with nerve pain medications such as tramadol (Ryzolt) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).

Heat Therapy and Injections: Anti-inflammatory medications are commonly prescribed to treat sciatic nerve pain. Pain relievers and muscle relaxants, available over the counter, can contribute immensely to manage the pain effectively. Application of heat therapy or cold packs can also work to reduce sciatica pain. Sometimes, epidural steroid injections are administered to decrease the inflammation of nerve, that is subjected to excessive pressure due to slipped or herniated disc. Surgical intervention becomes necessary, when sciatica does not respond to other forms of treatment and the pain worsens with time. Surgery involves taking out the part of the disc that is putting pressure on the nerve.

Massage: Sometimes, a simple massage is all that is required to get relief from waist pain. A soothing massage is an easy home remedy that can work wonders to reduce discomfort in the lower back region. Applying smooth gentle strokes along the backbone increases blood flow, reduces spasmodic activity and relaxes the muscles to ease waist pain, which in turn helps to heal the injuries. With a regular massage, chronic waist pain may become more easy to manage.

Physical Therapy: As aforementioned, chronic back pain is often the result of herniated or slipped disc. Techniques that restore the displaced disc back to its original position, have to be practiced to get long-term relief. The compressed part of the nerve has to be decompressed to achieve long-lasting relief. Spinal decompression techniques, that include muscle balance therapy and mechanic pelvic traction, can work wonders to align the disc properly, thereby helping to stop waist pain permanently. They are explained below:

Mechanical Pelvic Traction
This is an equipment designed to promote stretching of the back. Also referred to as back stretcher, the equipment has considerably improved the quality of life for many patients. Patients who had a hard time completing their day-to-day routine due to back pain, didn't face any problem after undergoing mechanical pelvic traction therapy. In this form of treatment, one has to lie on the table of the equipment. With feet clamped to the table, the patient rests in an inverted position (upside down). This method not only stretches the vertebral muscles but also helps to increase the gap between the bones of the spine. This widened gap between vertebral bones pulls the herniated discs back to their normal position, in turn relieving the pressure on the nerve. This will contribute to reduce waist pain.

Muscle Therapy
Many times, stiff muscles in the waist area are the primary reason behind this abdominal discomfort. To overcome decreased flexibility in muscles, many doctors recommend muscle therapy. Muscle therapy involves doing a set of exercises that stretch the back area. Best waist exercises like hip rolls, waist twists and anterior pelvic thrust, help to flex the muscles of the waist area. In the hip rolls, one is supposed to rotate the waist in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. In pelvic thrust, one has to first lie on the mattress. Now start lifting the legs until they make an angle of 90 degrees with the back. Keeping the legs straight, lift the pelvis area and be in this position for few seconds. This exercise stretches the waist area and reduces the stiffness of the muscles.

Disc Decompression Traction: Use of disc traction belts have proved useful in repositioning the herniated disc back to its original place. This procedure can help to correct herniation in disc, thereby providing relief from chronic back pain. As aforementioned, reducing the pressure on the herniated disc is the key to restore its normal position. The disc traction belts that are designed for this purpose come with attached handles. After wearing this belt around your waist area, one has to simply pull those handles so that the belt moves in the downward direction. The downward force exerts an opposite force on the spine (stack of bones). This allows the spine to stretch, crucial to relieve pressure on the compressed herniated disc. With regular use of disc traction belts, the pressure over the bulging disc reduces considerably over time. Eventually the displaced disc moves back and relieves pressure on the pinched nerve. Moreover, the traction belt strengthens and improves the flexibility of back muscles. Besides using this belt, you may be advised to do certain exercises to decompress the spine. All this contributes in preventing back pain in the long run.

Spinal Cord Stimulation: Initial studies show that exposing the spinal cord to a series of electrical pulses may help to manage chronic waist pain. To create these electrical pulses, it is necessary to implant a small pulse generator into the back. The electrical pulses generated from the device mask the nerve signals that allow the brain to perceive pain. Commercial battery operated devices are also available that produce low-voltage electric current, which is transmitted through the painful site using electrodes. The current interferes with the nerve impulses coming from the affected area to nullify the pain.

Ultrasound Therapy: Allowing high frequency sound waves (not audible to human hear) to pass through the affected area may be instrumental in lowering your waist pain. These high-pitched sound waves improves blood circulation and alleviates muscle tension in the affected area. This work to ease pain and inflammation of the associated tissues. With portable ultrasonic devices available in the market, relieving waist pain has been so easy before.

Acupuncture: Recent research has shown that this ancient Chinese healing technique could be useful to improve waist pain. In fact, new study suggest it is a better alternative to medications. As we all know, in this technique, the practitioner inserts a series of needles at varying depths into specific points of your skin. This method of placing needles at strategic points is believed to correct the disturbed flow of energy. Acupuncture is thought to clear the blockages and allow the energy to flow freely. This may ease the pain and promote good health.

As far as diagnosing kidney problems is concerned, blood and urine tests followed by CT scan of lower abdominal region may help to evaluate kidney health. A point to note that waist exercises as a part of waist pain treatment program, have to be included only when the patient is comfortable enough to bear the stretches. The patient should consult a doctor before starting any exercise routine. The doctor will examine the condition of the patient and then decide whether his body is fit for physical therapy.



Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/waist-pain-treatment.html

ulcer

Ulcer Types, Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
Before going to types I would like to tell you what exactly ulcer is ?
The ulcer is an abscess. This means a wound with green and yellow pus. The different ulcers are classified according to their location along the digestive tract.
     
Different types of ulcers are -
Peptic Ulcers - this is the most commonly found ulcer. It is formed in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine, called the duodenum.
Stomach ulcer – when an ulcer is formed within the stomach is known as gastric ulcer. The most common cause of gastric ulcer is a stomach infection associated with the Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) bacteria.
Mouth Ulcers- Wounds that develop in the inner padding of the mouth are referred to as mouth ulcers.
Esophageal Ulcers – Esophageal ulcers are lesions that occur in the food pipe.

  
Genital Ulcers- Genital ulcers are caused due to sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, genital herpes, or thrush. Nonsexual causes of genital ulcers are infections caused by yeast, scabies, pyoderma, genital trauma and Behcet's disease.
Skin ulcers – These are the open wounds on the skin.
Bedsores - Bedsores are caused in patients who are confined to bed due to some debilitating illness or are on their way to recover in .

Symptoms and causes of ulcer

The ulcer is generally referred to as peptic ulcer. It includes stomach ulcer, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer .the symptoms and causes of peptic ulcer are given below.

Causes:

• Sometimes Surgeries and certain treatment results in forming of ulcer.
• Caffeine is known to total abdomen sores, which may be a catalyst to promote gastric acid formation.
• Stool contamination, through eating or drinking foods/water with the H. Pylori bacterium.
• Smoking is known to increase the chances of one getting peptic ulcers.
• Emotional stress exaggerates the ulcer pain.
• Anxiety syndrome can cause peptic ulcers .
• Intestinal bleeding from a past situation, makes it simpler for an ulcer to develop.
• Intestinal blood losses from a past situation, makes it much simpler for an ulcer to develop up.
• The H. Pylori bacteria can be taken through your lifestyle, by being contaminated during childhood..
• A disorder called, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, can cause ulcers .
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, like naproxen salt, pain killers, etc. Are known for the destructive results of abdomen acids.

Symptoms:

• Burning sensation in the upper part of the abdomen.
• Vomiting and nausea.
• Discomfort.
• Tiredness and weakness.
• Pain in the abdomen, hours after a meal.
• Escalation of pain as nighttime and early morning come around.
• Weight loss.
• Anemia.
• Blood present in stool.
• Swelling and scarring, narrowing the intestinal opening.

          
Treatment : 
Along with reducing stress and changing way of life, doctors deal with stomach and duodenal ulcers with several types of drugs. Among the several drugs according to me best is the Generic Prilosec /Losec (Omeprazole).
Generic-Prilosec is used to avoid ulcers and to treat other conditions where the stomach produces too much acid. It decreases the amount of acid made in the stomach. You can even save a lot on Generic Prilosec - Omeprazole.

What makes a diabetic

Simply put: when your pre-breakfast blood sugar (plasma glucose) gets over 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L).  Another measure is when 2 hours after taking a dose of glucose the blood level is still over 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L), with over 140 (7.8) starting to suggest a problem.  Pre-breakfast 95 (5.3) is good, under 36 (2) is seriously low blood sugar, while above 180 (10) a safety-valve opens that sends glucose to the urine.  To confuse anybody, the numbers changed from mg to the 18 times smaller mmole, they increase by 14% between 'blood' and 'plasma' in syringe samples -but the numbers for 'blood drop' and 'syringe-plasma' are similar.  However, it's the big picture that counts, not the decimal points of the reading.  This is one area where a blood test is important since serious organ or foot damage (!) can happen early.

healthy tips

1. Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods. You need more than 40 different nutrients for good health, and no single food supplies them all. Your daily food selection should include bread and other whole-grain products; fruits; vegetables; dairy products; and meat, poultry, fish and other protein foods. How much you should eat depends on your calorie needs. Use the Food Guide Pyramid and the Nutrition Facts panel on food labels as handy references.
   
2. Enjoy plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Surveys show most Americans don't eat enough of these foods. Do you eat 6-11 servings from the bread, rice, cereal and pasta group, 3 of which should be whole grains? Do you eat 2-4 servings of fruit and 3-5 servings of vegetables? If you don't enjoy some of these at first, give them another chance. Look through cookbooks for tasty ways to prepare unfamiliar foods.
   
3. Maintain a healthy weight. The weight that's right for you depends on many factors including your sex, height, age and heredity. Excess body fat increases your chances for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some types of cancer and other illnesses. But being too thin can increase your risk for osteoporosis, menstrual irregularities and other health problems. If you're constantly losing and regaining weight, a registered dietitian can help you develop sensible eating habits for successful weight management. Regular exercise is also important to maintaining a healthy weight.
   
4. Eat moderate portions. If you keep portion sizes reasonable, it's easier to eat the foods you want and stay healthy. Did you know the recommended serving of cooked meat is 3 ounces, similar in size to a deck of playing cards? A medium piece of fruit is 1 serving and a cup of pasta equals 2 servings. A pint of ice cream contains 4 servings. Refer to the Food Guide Pyramid for information on recommended serving sizes.
   
5. Eat regular meals. Skipping meals can lead to out-of-control hunger, often resulting in overeating. When you're very hungry, it's also tempting to forget about good nutrition. Snacking between meals can help curb hunger, but don't eat so much that your snack becomes an entire meal.
   
6. Reduce, don't eliminate certain foods. Most people eat for pleasure as well as nutrition. If your favorite foods are high in fat, salt or sugar, the key is moderating how much of these foods you eat and how often you eat them.
   Identify major sources of these ingredients in your diet and make changes, if necessary. Adults who eat high-fat meats or whole-milk dairy products at every meal are probably eating too much fat. Use the Nutrition Facts panel on the food label to help balance your choices.
   Choosing skim or low-fat dairy products and lean cuts of meat such as flank steak and beef round can reduce fat intake significantly.
   If you love fried chicken, however, you don't have to give it up. Just eat it less often. When dining out, share it with a friend, ask for a take-home bag or a smaller portion.
   
7. Balance your food choices over time. Not every food has to be "perfect." When eating a food high in fat, salt or sugar, select other foods that are low in these ingredients. If you miss out on any food group one day, make up for it the next. Your food choices over several days should fit together into a healthy pattern.
   
8. Know your diet pitfalls. To improve your eating habits, you first have to know what's wrong with them. Write down everything you eat for three days. Then check your list according to the rest of these tips. Do you add a lot of butter, creamy sauces or salad dressings? Rather than eliminating these foods, just cut back your portions. Are you getting enough fruits and vegetables? If not, you may be missing out on vital nutrients.
   
9. Make changes gradually. Just as there are no "superfoods" or easy answers to a healthy diet, don't expect to totally revamp your eating habits overnight. Changing too much, too fast can get in the way of success. Begin to remedy excesses or deficiencies with modest changes that can add up to positive, lifelong eating habits. For instance, if you don't like the taste of skim milk, try low-fat. Eventually you may find you like skim, too.
   
10. Remember, foods are not good or bad. Select foods based on your total eating patterns, not whether any individual food is "good" or "bad." Don't feel guilty if you love foods such as apple pie, potato chips, candy bars or ice cream. Eat them in moderation, and choose other foods to provide the balance and variety that are vital to good health.

GARDEN EGG

Benefits of Garden Egg 

 do eat garden egg,

   here are some health benefit of garden egg

The garden egg, also known as eggplant is a very good source of dietary fiber, potassium, manganese, copper and thiamin (vitamin B1). It is also a good source of vitamin B6, folate, magnesium and niacin. Eggplant also contains phytonutrients such as nasunin and chlorogenic acid.

The garden egg with its bitter taste and spongy texture could really make an amazing pot of stew with a nice aroma. When eaten with boiled yam or rice, it becomes a delicacy you don’t want to miss.

The garden egg can be regarded as a brain food because it houses the anthocyanin phytonutrient found in its skin, Nasunin, a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger that has been shown to protect cell membranes from damage.

Studies have shown that nasunin protects the fats in brain cell membranes. Nasunin is not only a potent free-radical scavenger, but is also an iron chelator.

Iron is an essential nutrient, necessary for oxygen transport, normal immune function and collagen synthesis, but when it becomes too much in the blood stream, it becomes a major concern. Excess iron increases free radical production and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and cancer.

Menstruating women, who lose iron every month in their menstrual flow, are unlikely to be at risk, but in postmenopausal women and men, iron, which is not easily excreted, can accumulate.

By chelating iron, nasunin lessens free radical formation with numerous beneficial results, including protecting blood cholesterol from peroxidation; preventing cellular damage that can promote cancer; and lessening free radical damage in joints, which is a primary factor in rheumatoid arthritis.

The predominant phenolic compound found in garden eggs is chlorogenic acid, which is one of the most potent free radical scavengers found in plant tissues.

The chlorogenic acid performs antimutagenic (anti-cancer) activities in the body. It also performs anti- LDL (bad cholesterol) activities by increasing the levels of HDL (good cholesterol) in the body and at the same time has antiviral and antimicrobial properties.

Consuming high amounts of garden eggs have been found to be beneficial for people with glaucoma because it lowers the eye pressure.

Eggplant contains measurable amounts of oxalates which are naturally-occurring substances found in plants, animals, and human beings. When oxalates become too concentrated in body fluids, they can crystallize and cause health problems.

For this reason, individuals with already existing and untreated kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating eggplant.

Though laboratory studies have shown that oxalates may also interfere with absorption of calcium from the body, recent research has concluded that the ability of oxalates to lower calcium absorption is relatively small and definitely does not outweigh the ability of oxalate-containing foods to contribute calcium to the meal plan.

Chewing thoroughly while eating, can enable you get significant benefits, including absorption of calcium, from calcium-rich foods that also contain oxalic acid. So, eating garden eggs does not stop you from meeting your calcium requirements.

Low in calories and high in fibre, the eggplant is good for carbohydrate counters and dieters can actually snack on garden eggs in-between meals.

HOW OFTEN DO DRINK WATER

HERE ARE SOME HEALTH  BENEFITS OF WATER


let look at  the term water.

Water is the main component of the human body. In fact, the body is composed of between 55 and 78 percent water, depending on body size. Adequate and regular water consumption has numerous health benefits. As an added plus, it has no calories, fat, carbohydrates or sugar.


The amount of water you consume everyday plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body. Experts recommend drinking eight to 10 glasses of water each day to maintain good health.
Furthermore, the Institute of Medicine has determined the adequate intake of total beverage per day (AI) to be about three liters or 13 cups for men and 2.2 liters or nine cups for women

why must we drink water?some of the health benefits of water include:

. Treats Headaches and Migraines

If you have a headache or migraine, the first thing that you can do to get some relief is drink plenty of water. Headaches and migraines are often caused by dehydration.
In a study published in the European Journal of Neurology, researchers found that increasing water intake helped reduce the total number of hours and intensity of headaches in the study particpant

Aids Weight Loss

In a clinical trial, scientists found that drinking two eight-ounce glasses of water prior to meals can help suppress appetite and hence support your weight loss efforts. When you drink water, it fills your stomach and reduces the tendency to eat more.
Plus, it helps increase the rate at which the body burns fat, and promotes the breakdown and elimination of fat cells.
Calorie-free water is also a great replacement for high-calorie drinks like alcohol, sugary fizzy drinks and sodas that often contribute to weight gain.

Helps in Digestion and Constipation

Water also improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. This helps in digestion and prevents constipation. Inadequate water in the body often results in constipation as the colon pulls water from the stools to maintain hydration, thereby making them harder and difficult to pass.
Drinking sufficient water boosts your metabolism and helps the body properly break down food. This helps your digestive system work well and promotes regular bowel movements. Warm water, in particular, is good for digestive heal

Flushes Out Toxins

Water is an excellent detoxifier as it helps flush out toxins from your body and get rid of waste primarily through sweat and urine.
It also promotes kidney function and reduces kidney stones by diluting the salts and minerals in urine that cause kidney stones.
Though you need to drink adequate amount of water throughout the day, experts warn against drinking too much water (although uncommon still, it is possible) as it may reduce your kidneys’ ability to filter out waste.
Thus, it is recommended to drink the amount of water your body requires. As the amount of water required by the body tends to differ from one person to another, it is usually suggested to drink to your thirst, and also include other fluids and foods with high water content in your diet.

Improves Mood

Research indicates that mild dehydration (even one or two percent lower hydration level of hydration than optimal) can negatively affect your mood and ability to think.
A small study conducted on 25 women and published in the Journal of Nutrition found that being dehydrated can take a toll on your mood and cognitiive function. The color of your urine is a good indicator of your level of hydration. The lighter the color the better the level of hydration and vice versa.

Relieves Fatigue

If you often feel tired, there is a high chance that it could be due to inadequate consumption of water which makes the body function less efficiently. In fact, fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration.
When there is less water in the body, there is a drop of blood volume which causes the heart to work harder to pump oxygenated blood out in the bloodstream, and other major organs also work less efficiently. Thus, drinking adequate water can help your body function better and reduce fatigue


th.

COCONUT WATER IS GOOD FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

      

                             LETS LOOK AT COCONUT WATER ANS IS HEALTH BENEFITS

 

Tender coconut water is known as the richest source of electrolytes, and hence, is greatly recommended for people who are suffering from any illness. It also contains high amounts of chlorides, potassium, and magnesium and moderate amounts of sugar, sodium, and protein. Potassium from drinking coconut water can help to regulate blood pressure and heart function. It is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, manganese, calcium, riboflavin, and Vitamin C. The following are some of the reasons why coconut water is beneficial for a pregnant woman:

 

 

                                   

Coconut water is a natural isotonic beverage. It helps in replenishing fluid and natural salt loss. Thus it can greatly prevent dehydration and exhaustion.

⇒ It is essentially fat-free and is known as a zero cholesterol beverage. Coconut water is also supposed to have a positive effect, when it comes to raising the level of HDL, the good cholesterol level present in the body. This can together help to keep high cholesterol levels under check.

⇒ Coconut water is greatly known for strengthening immunity. As coconut water is rich in lauric acid, it can have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and antifungal properties. Such properties can help to strengthen the immune system of the mother and the growing fetus, and prevent infections of flu, HIV, herpes, etc.

⇒ Another great health benefit of coconut water is that it helps to prevent and treat heartburn. Coconut water effectively helps in cleaning intestinal worms and the digestive tract. This can alleviate pregnant women from heartburn and constipation.

⇒ Mostly women suffer from urinary tract infection (UTI). Being a natural diuretic, coconut water can help to increase the flow and frequency of the urine. Hence, coconut water benefits in flushing toxins out of the body easily, and prevents urinary tract infection.

⇒ Coconut water is a natural and safe source for hydrating the body, and allows easy digestion. It's free of chemicals and contains a high amount of electrolytes.

⇒ Coconut water is light drink and can even help in weight loss. One cup of it contains 46 calories only, as it is 95% water.

Though, the benefits of coconut water during pregnancy are well-known, there are not enough studies done on this subject. To be on the safer side, consult your doctor when including coconut water in your diet when you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Also, make sure you buy fresh and tender coconuts to get the best quality of water. Consume coconut water in adequate amount, as mentioned by your doctor. In case you experience any side-effects, discontinue the use and contact your doctor immediately.

FOOD FOR PREGNAT WOMEN

Women should maintain a balanced diet all throughout their pregnancy. This ensures good health of both the mother and baby. Is very important women take healthy foods during pregnancy inorder to ensure the health the unborn baby.

 

A mother-to-be should consume about 300 more calories per day than she did before conceiving

Normally, any healthy diet should include foods that are rich in all the essential nutrients; however, it gains utmost importance for women who are pregnant. The consumption of healthy food during pregnancy ensures proper growth of the baby, and it also keeps the mother-to-be physically and mentally fit.

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Therefore, foods that comprise essential vitamins and minerals should be included in a healthy pregnancy diet, while there are a few foods that should be strictly avoided

 

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Folic acid is an essential mineral for pregnant women as it minimizes the chances of any defects of the neural tube. Cereals, green vegetables, bread, and brown rice are a few foods, which provide the body with the required quantities of folic acid . Folic acid supplements are also an option for women who cannot meet the dietary requirements through natural foods.

They will also require adequate amounts of different types of vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Apricots, pumpkins, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, and beet greens have a good amount of vitamin A in them. Vitamin C can be obtained by consuming broccoli, tomatoes, mustard green, grapes, oranges, or papayas, whereas Vitamin D can be produced by the body when exposed to sunlight.

Apart from assisting in bone and muscle formation, calcium also facilitates blood clotting and proper heartbeat. Inadequate calcium consumption could weaken the bones of the baby. Therefore, calcium is extremely essential during pregnancy, and it can easily be obtained from dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, cream, and cottage cheese. Some of these foods should be included in the daily diet.

The primary function of iron is the formation of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all the cells. A mother-to-be requires more than normal quantities of iron since the baby requires constant oxygen supply. Meat, fish, green leafy vegetables, whole grain products, and poultry products are the foods rich in iron. Most women need to take iron supplements to help meet their daily requirements. Fiber-rich foods like pasta, rice, fruits, whole grain cereals, breads, and vegetables also need to be consumed.

                                                  

 

                                    FOOD TO BE AVOIDED

Lets look at  some of the to be avoided.

 

It is good to know which foods to consume when pregnant; however, there are certain foods which should be avoided.
Caffeine consumption must be reduced. This means coffee, chocolates, and tea should be consumed only in moderation.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy should be completely avoided since it may lead to various birth defects such as low birth weight, prematurity, or mental retardation.
Certain kinds of cheeses like camembert, brie, blue veined, and a few Mexican types of cheese must be avoided since they may contain bacteria called listeria, which may be harmful for the fetus.
Fish can be consumed during pregnancy; however, not all fish are safe for consumption. Fish with high mercury content like tilefish, swordfish, and shark should not be eaten at all. Also, raw oysters and clams should be avoided.
Raw meat, eggs, and undercooked food also should not be consumed.
It is very much normal for mothers-to-be to crave for certain foods, including those which are not healthy to eat during pregnancy. However, they must choose the best available option to ensure proper health for themselves and their babies. It is always a good idea to consult a doctor or a dietitian before making any lifestyle or diet changes during pregnancy

   

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ORANGE

Orange is a tropical to semitropical, evergreen, small flowering tree, growing to about 5 to 8 m tall, and bears seasonal fruits that measure about 3 inches in diameter and weigh about 100-150 g. Oranges are classified into two general categories, sweet and bitter, with the former being the type most commonly consumed. Popular sweet-varieties include Valencia, Navel, Persian variety, and blood orange.


                    THESE ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS
Orange fruit contains a variety of phytochemicals. Hesperetin, naringin, and naringenin are flavonoids found in citrus fruits. Naringenin is found to have a bio-active effect on human health as antioxidant, free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory, and immune system modulator. This substance has also been shown to reduce oxidant injury to DNA in-vitro studies. Total antioxidant strength (ORAC) of oranges (navel variety) is 1819 µmol TE/100 g.

Orange fruit also contains a very good amount of minerals like potassium and calcium

It is also a very good source of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pyridoxine, and folates. These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to repleni


O range fruit contains a variety of phytochemicals. Hesperetin, naringin, and naringenin are flavonoids found in citrus fruits. Naringenin is found to have a bio-active effect on human health as antioxidant, free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory, and immune system modulator

 Nutrients in oranges are plentiful and diverse. The fruit is low in calories, contains no saturated fats or cholesterol, but is rich in dietary fiber, pectin. Pectin, by its virtue as a bulk laxative, helps to protect the mucous membrane of the colon by decreasing its exposure time to toxic substances as well as by binding to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon. Pectin has also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels by decreasing its re-absorption in the colon by binding to bile acids in the colo
 Citrus fruits, as such, have long been valued for their wholesome nutritious and antioxidant properties. It is scientifically established fact that citrus fruits, especially oranges, by virtue of their abundance in vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, have many proven health benefits. Moreover, it is now beginning to be appreciated that the other biologically active, non-nutrient compounds in the citrus fruits such as phyto-chemical antioxidants, soluble and insoluble dietary fiber helps in cutting risk for cancers, chronic diseases like arthritis, obesity, and coronary heart diseases.