HEALTH
Garlic oil ‘may prevent heart disease in diabetics’
Washington: A new study has revealed that garlic has enormous potential to prevent cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that is a leading cause of death in people with diabetes. Wei-Wen Kuo and colleagues note that diabetics have at least twice the risk of death from heart disease as others, with heart disease accounting for 80 percent of all diabetes-related deaths. Especially dangerous is diabetic cardiomyopathy, which inflames and weakens the heart’s muscle tissue. The study results indicated that garlic might help control the abnormally high blood sugar levels that occur in diabetes. They found that rats given garlic oil experienced beneficial changes associated with protection against heart damage. The changes appeared to be associated with the potent antioxidant properties of garlic oil, the scientists say, adding that they identified more than 20 substances in garlic oil that may contribute to the effect. The find appears in ACS bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Munching on almonds can stave off infections
London: Eating almonds regularly can help you stave off viral infections like the common cold and flu. A new study has revealed that naturally occurring chemicals found in the skin of the nut boost the immune system’s response to such infections. Researchers found almond skins improved the ability of the white blood cells to detect viruses while also increasing the body's ability to prevent viruses from replicating and spreading inside the body, according to the journal Immunology Letters. They discovered that even after the almonds had been digested, the immune system was more poised to act against viruses, reports the Telegraph. Researchers found that almond skin extracts were effective against even Herpes simplex virus 2, which can cause cold sores. The virus is notoriously difficult to treat due to its ability to evade the immune system.
Eating dirt could actually make your kids smarter
Melbourne: Here’s some good news for parents who constantly worry about their kids’ hygiene after they spend time in the play ground-eating dirt could actually make your child smarter. A new study has shown the positive side of soil-borne bacteria that is likely to be inhaled when children are playing outside. Scientists discovered that mice that were fed the dirt bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae navigated complex mazes twice as fast as those which were not. The research was welcomed by Kidsafe NSW Playground Advisory Unit program manager Kate Fraser as another reason kids should be encouraged to get outside and get dirty. “Over the past few years terms like ‘cotton wool kids’ and ‘helicopter parents’ are becoming really common,” the Courier Mail quoted Fraser as saying. “So we though it was time to air the laundry on what’s happening with our play spaces and make sure we are offering kids challenges. “We need to make playgrounds safe, but also offer a certain amount of risk and controlled risk. It’s a real balancing act.”
Washington: A new study has revealed that garlic has enormous potential to prevent cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that is a leading cause of death in people with diabetes. Wei-Wen Kuo and colleagues note that diabetics have at least twice the risk of death from heart disease as others, with heart disease accounting for 80 percent of all diabetes-related deaths. Especially dangerous is diabetic cardiomyopathy, which inflames and weakens the heart’s muscle tissue. The study results indicated that garlic might help control the abnormally high blood sugar levels that occur in diabetes. They found that rats given garlic oil experienced beneficial changes associated with protection against heart damage. The changes appeared to be associated with the potent antioxidant properties of garlic oil, the scientists say, adding that they identified more than 20 substances in garlic oil that may contribute to the effect. The find appears in ACS bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
Munching on almonds can stave off infections
London: Eating almonds regularly can help you stave off viral infections like the common cold and flu. A new study has revealed that naturally occurring chemicals found in the skin of the nut boost the immune system’s response to such infections. Researchers found almond skins improved the ability of the white blood cells to detect viruses while also increasing the body's ability to prevent viruses from replicating and spreading inside the body, according to the journal Immunology Letters. They discovered that even after the almonds had been digested, the immune system was more poised to act against viruses, reports the Telegraph. Researchers found that almond skin extracts were effective against even Herpes simplex virus 2, which can cause cold sores. The virus is notoriously difficult to treat due to its ability to evade the immune system.
Eating dirt could actually make your kids smarter
Melbourne: Here’s some good news for parents who constantly worry about their kids’ hygiene after they spend time in the play ground-eating dirt could actually make your child smarter. A new study has shown the positive side of soil-borne bacteria that is likely to be inhaled when children are playing outside. Scientists discovered that mice that were fed the dirt bacteria Mycobacterium vaccae navigated complex mazes twice as fast as those which were not. The research was welcomed by Kidsafe NSW Playground Advisory Unit program manager Kate Fraser as another reason kids should be encouraged to get outside and get dirty. “Over the past few years terms like ‘cotton wool kids’ and ‘helicopter parents’ are becoming really common,” the Courier Mail quoted Fraser as saying. “So we though it was time to air the laundry on what’s happening with our play spaces and make sure we are offering kids challenges. “We need to make playgrounds safe, but also offer a certain amount of risk and controlled risk. It’s a real balancing act.”
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