HEALTH

Potassium Helps reduce Blood Pressure
Who’s under pressure
People trying to lower their blood pressure should also boost their intake of potassium, which has the opposite effect of sodium, says research conducted by the Loyala University Health System, now known as the Loyola Medicine.
Researchers found that the ratio of sodium-to- potassium in urine was a much stronger predictor of cardiovascular disease than sodium or potassium alone, reports nutrition-horizon.com. According to the researchers, potassium seems to be effective in lowering blood pressure and the combination of a higher intake of potassium and lower consumption of sodium seems to be more effective than either on its own in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Good potassium sources include orange juice, bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, lima beans, tomato sauce, yogurt, fat-free milk and tuna. Potassium is also available in supplements. However, changes in diet and physical activity should be under the supervision of a health care professional.

Traditional Medicine For Health Security
Tapping traditional herbs
With a resource base of about 8,000 different species of medicinal plants, traditional medicines are the sole means of health care for about 65 per cent of India’s population. Aimed at revitalizing local health traditions, the UNDP India, Government of India initiative Conservation of Medicinal Plants for Health and Livelihood Security, which began in December 2005, is being implemented in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, reports UNews, the monthly newsletter of the UN Information Centre at New Delhi.
The UNDP works in these States to strengthen traditional medicine systems with the help of its local partners.
The prioritized common ailments were illnesses affecting women as also ailments requiring maximum of three days of cure and causing minimum days of wage loss. The traditional formulae for the prioritized ailments were sanctioned be registered Ayurveda experts and practitioners.
A database of traditional medicines in the area is maintained at the Panchayat and the PHCs are working with private partners, and State governments and forest departments in the conservation of medicinal plants.

SWINE FLU- LUNG PROBLEM!DRINK SOYA
Improve your lung health with soy products
WASHINGTON : EATING soy products, like bean sprouts, tofu, natto and soy milk, everyday could reduce the risk of developing pulmonary disease and respiratory symptoms, a new study has revealed. An international team has carried out the study in Japan and found that long –term consumption of soy products can reduce the risk and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which mostly develops due to smoking. In their study, the researchers, led by Professor Andy Lee of Curtin University of Technology found that people who consumed more than 75 gm of soy products daily had the most health benefits. "We also found that people who consumed at least 50 gm of soy products per day reduced their risk of developing COPD and respiratory symptoms," he said. The researchers have warned that although the study found that soy consumption could reduce the risk of COPD, it did not mean smokers should continue with the habit. "Studies like this show that diet can result in new methods of prevention which can have an important impact on the cost to our health care systems. Our research showed that long-term soy consumption was associated with improved lung function and a reduction in the risk of COPD. "It also showed that increased consumption of soy products can lead to a decrease in breathlessness, which has been suggested as a result of flavonoids from soy foods acting as an anti-inflammatory agent in the lung. Further research is needed to understand the underlying biological reason for this occurring," he said .