Monthly Archives: March 2014

Kanika Datta: Great leaps back

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It was Mamata Banerjee who can be credited for winning an Assembly election on the issue of crony capitalism via, among other things, the Tata-Singur imbroglio. But 2014 would be the first national election in which the issue of crony capitalism has acquired some traction, thanks to Narendra Modi's pro-business stance and Arvind Kejriwal's anti-corruption one. But anyone who thinks that this signature campaign in Varanasi will provide an unequivocal answer against or in favour of business and industry is likely to be disappointed. Now that they've clearly drawn the battle lines between them in this spiritual centre that is perennially enriched by the brisk business of religion, Messrs Modi and Kejriwal appear to have reverted to type.

The "Har Har Modi" chants adopted by the indefatigable followers of the Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial campaign (quickly withdrawn after the outrage of orthodox Hindus) were designed to be an unabashed appeal to the Brahmin and middle-caste majority in this holy city.

These extreme expressions of Hindu orthodoxy should not be surprising, given that Mr Modi's foot soldiers are drawn from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. But they are noteworthy in the light of Mr Modi's unabashed courting of powerful business interests on the quasi-secular platform of good governance these past few years - and good governance, in this context, essentially meant creating an enabling environment for business. Packaged on a nebulous construct called the Gujarat Model - commentators still fiercely argue over its efficacy - Mr Modi managed to imbue his proto-campaign with an agnosticism that partially allayed any misgivings related to 2002. More to the point, it enabled a brisk rise in campaign contributions from a variety of deep-pocketed industrial houses.

Mr Kejriwal's recent actions have been more of a surprise. Neither religion nor caste played a role in his popularity in Delhi, and in other upscale cities, indeed, he shied away from the slightly saffron-hued tint in the movement led by Kisan Baburao Hazare. It was his blunt, if somewhat unorthodox, approach to the very real problem of corruption and venality that made him the most exciting phenomenon on the political scene since Jayaprakash Narayan. Climbing up electricity poles to cut illegal connections, lying on a pavement to demand more control over Delhi's police, filing FIRs against the central government's gas pricing decision - this is the kind of derring-do middle-class and upper-middle-class people long to emulate but lack the gumption to do so.

Mr Kejriwal has been forthright, too, in his criticism of industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, singling them out for what he sees as beneficiaries of political favour, allegations that few people would dare to openly express. Mukesh Ambani, it may be recalled, was uncharacteristically eloquent at last year's Vibrant Gujarat summit. "In Narendra Modi, we have a leader with a grand vision," he had said. He was outdone only by his younger brother, Anil Ambani, who extravagantly described the Gujarat chief minister as "king of kings" (Anil Ambani's power companies in Delhi were briefly at the receiving end of Mr Kejriwal's power price campaign). By corralling the alleged practices of big businessmen into his anti-corruption rhetoric, Mr Kejriwal had drawn a straight line between business, corruption and the sufferings of ordinary people.

Coming as it did on top of the serial business-related controversies in telecom, coal, iron ore mining, tax evasion and black money, Mr Kejriwal managed to build a platform that certainly resonated with a certain section of urban India. It is striking that many of his followers have been post-reform businessmen and executives - players who are fundamentally uncomfortable with the old paradigms of political patronage and pelf that continue to scar the reputation of Indian business.

Given that, it was disturbing to see, on the day he announced his candidature from Varanasi, photographs of Mr Kejriwal's skinny, lungi-clad torso being lowered into the murky waters of the Ganga in a cleansing snaan and his forehead smeared with the sandalwood paste of a puja.

To be sure, Mr Kejriwal is fully entitled to his personal religious beliefs, as much as Mr Modi. But he was visiting Varanasi in his capacity as a public, political contender on a platform that has - so far - been notably non-religious in content. And though his speeches did focus on his favourite theme of Mr Modi and Rahul Gandhi's surrender to corporate interests, the hollowness of Gujarat's "development" et al, it is hard to deny the subliminal message conveyed by his very public religious observances. It is also worth wondering what all this conveyed to the nearly 19 per cent of Muslims who make up this constituency. It is possible that Mr Kejriwal is trying to build some degree of commonality with Mr Modi to compensate for the lack of solid governance experience that his rival undoubtedly has. But his actions certainly diminish the prospects of this campaign rising above the same old tired issues of caste and religion.

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Kanika Datta: Great leaps back

Israel Welcomes British Minister For Discussions About Stem Cell Research Collaboration

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By Liisa Vexler

The UK and Israel join forces during a two-day conference at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel this week that will focus on continued joint stem-cell therapy research. This conference is part of the second BIRAX Regenerative Medicine event, which is a project initiated by the British Council in Israel and the British Embassy.

The United Kingdoms minister of state for universities and science, David Willetts, is on the list of conference attendees. This list also includes approximately 300 of Israels most prominent research scientists and 80 attendees from Britain who are involved in the research on stem cell therapies to treat chronic and degenerative diseases such as type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, heart disease, Parkinsons and Alzheimers. It will also be attended by 300 leading Israeli scientists and 80 British scientists, whose research is advancing the fight against devastating illnesses, such as type 1 diabetes, heart diseases, Parkinsons and Alzheimers. The conference co-chairs are Chris Mason, University Colleges chairman of regenerative medicine bioprocessing at University College, and former chief scientist of Israel, Ehud Gazit.

The UK and Israel have committed 10 million to stem cell research to be invested over the course of five years. To date, BIRAX has provided funding for seven British and Israeli large research projects looking at stem cell therapies for multiple sclerosis, liver disease and Parkinsons.

Britains Minister Willets will officially open the second call for proposals during the conference, with Prime Minister David Cameron having launched the initiative during his recent Israeli visit. This call for proposals will provide funding for innovative research in stem cell therapies for cardiovascular disease, type 1 diabetes, Parkinsons and Alzheimers.

British ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould said, This conference will bring together British and Israeli scientists working with stem cells. Our goal is that they will form collaborations to develop cures for some of the worlds most common diseases. Israel and Britain are both at the forefront of stem cell research. Building a stronger partnership between the two countries will be to the benefit of both and has the potential to transform lives around the world. The first conference was hugely successful, and led to some amazing joint research. We have high hopes for this one.

On behalf of the Israeli research community, Technion president Peretz Lavie said his institution is thrilled to play host to the second BIRAX Regenerative Medicine conference.

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Israel Welcomes British Minister For Discussions About Stem Cell Research Collaboration

Simple Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle – About.com Exercise

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You hear a lot about living a healthy lifestyle, enough that the phrase 'healthy lifestyle' may be one we'd like to permanently retire. The problem is, that phrase describes the life we need to live if we want to feel good and look good. So, what does it actually mean? Well, there are the obvious things that describe a healthy person: He or she doesn't smoke, is at a healthy weight, eats healthy foods and exercises on a regular basis. It sounds so simple, it's funny just how hard it is to do all of those things in our current world.

The good news is, you don't have to change everything at the same time. In fact, the trick to healthy living is making small changes. Take more steps each day, adding fruit to your cereal, having an extra glass of water or saying no to that second helping of buttery mashed potatoes. So, what else can you be doing to live healthy? Your first order of business is to start exercising.

Exercise

One of the biggest reasons we're have a weight problem these days is because we sit around too much. We know we need to exercise, but we have so many excuses not to do it. We're too busy, don't know where to start, we're not motivated or we're afraid we'll injure ourselves or we're afraid that exercise has to be vigorous for what our bodies can handle. The truth is, everything counts and the more you move, the healthier you'll be.

It's great if you can spend time exercising - Meaning you're sweating, working in your target heart rate zone and/or doing something to strengthen your body. But it doesn't always have to be that way. Moderate activities like chores, gardening and walking can make a difference.

Just adding a little movement to your life can:

So, even if you opt for small changes and a more modest weight loss, you can see the benefits are still pretty good. One study has found that just a 10% weight reduction helped obese patients reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and increase longevity. In fact, you don't even have to have a goal to lose weight, especially if you have trouble stick to a program. Why not focus on being healthy to start and worry about the weight loss once you've got some healthy habits under your belt?

Simple Ways to Move Your Body

You can start the process of being healthy and weight loss now by adding a little more activity to your life. If you're not ready for a structured program, start small. Every little bit counts and it all adds up to burning more calories.

Learn about more ways to fit in exercise.

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Simple Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle - About.com Exercise

Healthy Lifestyle

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Find Your Healthy Lifestyle Balance: The Wellness Institute for Self Enhancement Could your efforts for healthy living and nutrition actually be unhealthy...even causing many of your most frustrating problems?

In the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, many people have become less healthy overall. Perceptions about what constitutes healthy eating or healthy living vary dramatically...and everyone's an "expert". If you are exhausted and confused by the bombardment of "trendy healthy lifestyle information", it is time to get off that crazy train. Healthy living is far simpler and more enjoyable than the prevailing message conveys.

I remember when I first decided to study nutrition, in hopes of one day helping others with some sort of wellness program. Back then I, too, was caught up in the social messages of good and bad foods, mandatory exercise, and the constant fear of my untrustworthy body doing something crazy at any time. I was the proverbial "health nut"...and I was pretty proud of it. I totally bought into the idea that eating patterns and exercise and body somehow indicated my value as a person.

I've found over time that even people who do not have food or body issues tend to have the same underlying struggles. Self-image, anxiety, depression, meaning, identity, relationships and life-purpose are part of most people's lives. Our society gives few clues on how to handle these big lessons--you shouldn't have to hit 'rock bottom' before you have access to therapeutic growth opportunities. Every person benefits from understanding themselves better.

Now a fully recovered former trendy-nutrition guru (when I was an expert prior to getting an actual nutrition degree), I have gone on to work in the areas of identity and purpose, mood issues, life-transitions, eating disorders, weight issues, and overall wellness. Due to the complex nature of overall healthy living, we've added counseling, yoga, creativity, and meditation to our programming and services. The Wellness Institute for Self Enhancement (formerly Nutrition Paradox) provides individual, group, and wellness program options to address the whole person. This is the place to discover comprehensive, lasting enhancement of the awesomeness you already are.

I look forward to our adventures together! --Jennifer Pereira, RD, CSCS, LPC-Intern Program Director, W.I.S.E.

"Let me start off by saying how wonderful it was to stumble upon your blog, it is so refreshing to see a professional (aka not Dr. Oz) giving real advice about healthy eating. I appreciate your posts and the nutritional advice you give... there are so many people out there who could use this information!" -Ellen R., Arizona

The Wellness Institute for Self Enhancement (W.I.S.E.) is physically located in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex (and online!) to promote and support the path to self growth and enhancement. Whether you feel stuck in your current situation, you suffer from low self-esteem/anxiety/depression, family and relationship concerns, issues related to food and weight, or simply want to do some inner soul searching... W.I.S.E has a path for you.

W.I.S.E. offers individual, group, community, and family programming. See our programming page for more specifics about the groups offered.

Community Groups are open to the public. These are donation-only groups and we welcome and encourage everyone who is interested to attend. These groups are typically peer-support groups, and are routinely coordinated and hosted by WISE staff members (may not be a clinician).

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Healthy Lifestyle

Healthy lifestyle emphasized at annual Commit to B-Fit fair

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This section displays the last 50 news articles that were published.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- It's easy for someone to pick up a magazine, or click on a link to get information about a diet or exercise routine. However, people are more successful when they have an interaction, or hands on experience.

At Tuesday's Commit to B-Fit, organizers hope to teach people that important information, and make it stick. It's the 8th annual health fair, and each proves to be more successful than the last.

Faculty, staff, and community members are invited to meet with nearly 70 vendors, featuring anything from campus clubs, food vendors, or yoga studios. It's all about making sure people understand that healthier alternatives are available.

"People can actually get that hands on experience at the fair. It's not just a walk around and leave, people could stay there for hours in the afternoon because of the samples and tons of vendors," said Kaitlin Voellinger, a student organizer.

The event starts at 10:30 a.m. and runs through 1:30 p.m. at the Recreation Center in the East Gym.

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Healthy lifestyle emphasized at annual Commit to B-Fit fair

HEALTHY LIVING | 8 ways to keep healthy this summer

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By the Manila Doctors Hospital | In partnership with InterAksyon Lifestyle Section Wednesday, March 26, 2014 1:50 pm

Adding fresh fruits like lemons to your water is a refreshing way to hydrate for summer. Photo by Peter C. Marquez, InterAksyon.com.

Its official, summers here! And for most people, this means beach trips, parties, barbecues, and cooling down under the scorching heat with the whole family and friends. Its easy to have fun and enjoy the sun, but staying healthy during summer requires more than just doing worthwhile activities and eating the right kind of food.

Summer is the excellent time for everyone to increase their outdoor activity and avoid a year-round sedentary lifestyle. But summer also presents risks, such as heatstroke, skin cancer, dehydration and even fatigue.

Regardless of your summer activity, the hot and humid days can be detrimental to you and your familys health. It is highly important to incorporate healthy habits into you summer activities as you plan for quality time with your family and friends.

Here are some ways on how to keep a healthy lifestyle during summer season:

1. Drink up. Sometimes, when youre having too much fun, people tend to forget to keep themselves hydrated. Men should have at least 12 to 15 glasses of fluid intake, while women should have an average intake of 10 to 12 glasses a day to keep their skin youthful and glowing and prevent dehydration. Also remember infants and toddlers are more easily dehydrated than adults, so its really important to keep them equally hydrated too.

2. Know your fashion. Wear appropriate shoes for outdoor activities. If youre doing a lot of walking, running, or jumping, skip those stylish summer sandals and opt for comfortable trainers instead. Avoid blisters and sprains by choosing a good pair of shoes. Wear them with comfortable, cotton socks. Wear light, loose-fitting clothes to help you stay cooler. Also, dont forget your sunglasses to protect your eyes from the suns UV rays. A good pair of sunglasses can help prevent wrinkles and cataract formation.

3. Rest and take cover. The suns heat can easily cause fatigue, as we tend to lose body fluid from excessive sweating. If you feel tired, sit in a shady spot at intervals. Sunburn is painful and unhealthy. Use a good sunscreen and re-apply it frequently during the day to keep your skin cool and help prevent risks of skin cancer. Also, wear a hat or bring an umbrella when taking long walks to keep cool and shaded.

4. Eat well. Maintain your energy level by limiting your intake of fat and sugar; focus on carbohydrates, protein, fruits and vegetables. Excessive fats and sugar consumption can temporarily boost your energy, but may cause heat stress in the long run. Eat refreshing fruits such as watermelon and pineapple to help you cool down. Fibrous fruits and vegetables are known for their fat-reducing capabilities and will help in preventing heat strokes and heart ailments.

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HEALTHY LIVING | 8 ways to keep healthy this summer

The Doctor Is In: We are what we eat: More evidence proving that mainly plant-based diet is best

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The benefits of a healthy lifestyle are legion. Helping folks in Southwest Florida live longer, happier and healthier lives has always been a commitment for NCH. We are now being joined in this noble pursuit by many organizations including the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and Collier County Health Department, just to name a few of the leaders.

Integral to this effort is individual responsibility. Daily pursuit of healthy activities and behaviors needs to be ingrained into our core values. In addition to daily exercise and avoiding tobacco, what we eat has a huge influence on the quality and length of our lives.

In the very interesting 2006 book The China Study, father and son authors, T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell, describe many long, complicated and sophisticated demographic studies that point to the benefits of a plant-based diet. These benefits include living longer, feeling younger, being more energetic and controlling weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Plant-based diets can also decrease the risks of suffering from many diseases including cancer, heart disease and mental deterioration.

Eight interrelated principles have been shared which, in general, are just good common sense.

1. Nutrition represents the combined activities of countless food substances, and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. By combining foods you achieve a biochemical bonanza according to The China Study, all of which interact to be beneficial.

2. Vitamin supplements are not a panacea for good health. Isolated nutrients do not make up for a healthy, varied diet. Over the past decades more money has been spent on vitamins, based on marketing rather than evidence. Very few people who have a reasonable diet benefit from any vitamin supplement. In fact, the amount of vitamin spilled over into the urine equals what is ingested when folks already have a reasonable diet. The message is to consume vitamins in food, not as supplements.

3. Virtually no nutrients in animal-based foods are better than those found in plant-based foods. Eating animal-based foods is markedly different than plant-based foods in terms of the excess cholesterol found in animal foods, versus appropriate amounts of beta-carotene, fiber, folate, Vitamin C, and some of the minerals that are bountiful in plant-based diets. Maintaining a low protein diet has been shown to be beneficial. There is one exception and that is Vitamin B12 which is necessary and not found in abundance in plants. As man evolved we lost the ability to make Vitamin B12 in our bodies, though some other mammals still can.

4. Genes do not determine disease on their own. Genes activated by environmental factors such as poor diet, tobacco use or lack of exercise can cause disease. However, if genes are not activated, even though these genes may predispose to disease, there may not be any harm. There are huge variations in the incidence of disease in people with essentially the same genes. Environment including diet plays a large role.

5. Nutrition can substantially control the adverse effects of noxious chemicals. We understand that a good diet can ameliorate some of the effects of noxious forces around our surroundings. Obviously, a better solution is to remove the noxious environment. For example, trying to make a healthy potato chip is not nearly as effective as avoiding potato chips.

6. The same nutrition which prevents disease in its early stages can help slow down disease in later stages. Diabetics can improve at any stage of their illness with good diet control. Heart disease at any stage can be helped by a diet low in salt and cholesterol. Dont give up because you got a late start.

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The Doctor Is In: We are what we eat: More evidence proving that mainly plant-based diet is best