The teen stress should be dealt with both at home and outside home in school.

• There is a wrong notion among adults that there is no earthly reason for stress in teens. This should be avoided.
• The first step in tackling teen stress is to identify the signs and symptoms of stress in the teens. The teens should be allowed to talk freely about their problems.
• Parents and teachers should teach them stress relief methods.
• They should set only reasonable goals in both curricular and extra curricular activities

There are several treatment models to help the teens cope up with stress. The steps of one such model -

• Ask the teenager about what bothers them.
• Ask the teens about the their response to that stressful event
• Explain to the teens about normal stress response and ways of tackling stress
• Identify the source of stress in teens and help them understand that the same event incites different responses in different persons
• Teach the teen the best stress relieving techniques.
• Advise them to avoid unhealthy methods of tackling stress like aggression, avoidance etc.

Researches show that stress is the most common health disorder in the United States. There are various options available for the relief of stress. A balanced nutritious food and simple deep breathing exercises are the simplest methods for stress relief. They are cost effective, easily available and are without side effects. Food that reduces stress acts mainly by their vitamins and mineral contents.

Healthy stress relieving methods

• Eat a well balanced nutritious diet
• Exercise regularly
• Avoid caffeine, tobacco and substance of abuse like alcohol, drugs etc
• Follow simple stress relief methods like deep breathing, listening to music, recreational sports
• Develop assertiveness training skills
• Learn to be practical. Look for an alternative if the task is very stressful.
• Have high self esteem
• Learn to say no. By doing this a teenager can sort out important things in his life.
• Have good sense of humor
• Watching stress relief cartoon

 Food and Stress Relief

The changes associated with stress are

• Increase in the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol
• Increase in blood sugar and cholesterol
• Increase in the heart rate and blood pressure
• Increase in the respiration
• Accumulation of toxins like carbon dioxide and lactates
• Emotional changes due to alteration in the brain chemistry
• Gastro intestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome
• Suppression of immunity

The principle of stress management programs is to reverse all these changes. Among these changes the levels of the already increased hormones cannot be brought down. The stimulus which increases their production can be controlled. All the other changes can be reversed using various stress relief options. One of the simplest options is the dietary changes. Avoid over working in kitchen for dinner parties, Caviar, hamper or family favorites, yet you can turn an ordinary meal into a culinary work of art. You can do that by exploring new exotic cuisine.The role of food items in the stress management programs are discussed under the following headings

• Food items that reduces stress which should be included
• Foods items that aggravates stress which should be avoid

Food Items to be Avoided

Food items which aggravate the signs and symptoms are to be avoided. These include

• Tea, coffee, cocoa
• Junk foods and fast foods
• Egg yolks
• Butter, cheese , shrimps and meat
• Coconut oil
• Cashews almonds and other nuts
• Beverages including soda, chocolate drinks and soft drinks.
• Sugar
• Alcohol

Tea, coffee, cocoa including chocolate drinks contain neuro stimulators like, caffeine and Theo bromine. Though these substances refresh a tired person, it is better to avoid all these items in stress. In stress the patients will be already anxious and further stimulation results in aggravation of anxiety and worsen sleeplessness. Moreover tea and coffee worsens peptic ulcer associated with stress. But the controversy is that chocolates contain more of magnesium which helps in calming down an agitated person during stress.Egg yolks contain high percentage of cholesterol and should be avoided in stress which itself increase the cholesterol levels. Butter, cheese, coconut oil cashews, almonds and meat are to be avoided for similar reasons.

Junk foods and fast foods are highly delicious food items are not balanced diets. They contain protein, fats and carbohydrates in inappropriate proportions and moreover they don’t contain the essential vitamins and minerals. Stress needs more of energy, vitamins and minerals also but in a balanced proportion.

Beverages including soda and soft drinks contain ‘empty calories’ which are useless and they also don’t contain vitamins and minerals. In stress there is accumulation of carbon dioxide and lactates resulting in a condition called acidosis which is detrimental to health. The high content of carbon dioxide in beverages aggravates it. Sodium benzoate is also more in beverages which should be avoided in hypertension associated with stress. Sugar should be avoided in stress as the person will be already having increased blood glucose levels with a higher risk of getting diabetes.

However, shopping and gifting can help reduce stress of both the donor and the receiver, for example stationery.

Your skin is a reflection of your body’s overall health. A consistent maintenance is needed for your skin and body. In this busy life style, no one has enough time for skin care. One should always pamper himself for good care of skin. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent many skin problems. Taking care of the skin means different things to different people. For many, it means a simple splash of water, using soap for cleansing purpose while most of us look out for cosmetic products for cleansing, toning and moisturizing our skin. But in fact it is not just taking care of your skin externally but internally also. The famous saying “Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body.” It means that a well balanced nutritious diet play an integral role to achieve healthy glowing skin which makes the skin beautiful from inside. That’s why the old adage “you are what you eat” not only applies to our overall health and nutrition, but how our skin looks and feels as well.

Tips to have healthy glowing skin

·        Eat three healthy meals every day to make sure you receive essential to minimize your appetite for fried, greasy or sweetened foods which makes you more prone to acne.

·        Whole grain breads, cereals, rice, crackers or pasta should be included in your diet. These foods that are rich in fiber help guarantee a clean gastrointestinal tract, which is particularly crucial in acne management.

·        Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and yellow, orange, white, green, red, purple and blue fruits such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums etc. The consumption of vegetables that are raw or cooked very lightly —that is high in fiber, vitamins and contains important trace minerals. Make it a habit to eat fruits and vegetables every day.

·         Vitamin A-enriched foods such as broccoli, watermelon, apricots, and also foods rich in zinc such as whole grain, beans, nuts and lean beef can also help to reduce acne breakouts.

·         Beta carotene is antioxidants found abundantly in carrots, oranges, yellow fruits and vegetables and acts as a protector for skin care. People who consume diet rich in beta- carotene can tolerate sunrays for a longer period of time.

·        Vitamin C helps to form connective tissues, makes skin supple and prevents it from drying. Guava, oranges, capsicum, cabbage, grapefruit, fresh lime, papaya etc. are natural source of vitamin - C and should be included in diet.

• Increasing consumption of junk food leads to a zinc deficiency and therefore teenagers generally suffer from acne due to zinc deficiency. Zinc helps in production of new healthy cells. Therefore, nuts and seeds should be included everyday in diet.

• Good quality oils such as fish, canola oil, canola-based spread, olive oil, olive oil-based spread, sunflower oil, and sunflower oil-based spread, avocado and nuts contain essential fatty acids (omega-3 & omega-6) should be included in your diet which keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking healthier overall.

• When eating out, remember that many restaurants continue to use trans fats for deep-fried foods. A better choice would be grilled or baked foods which are more likely to be trans-fat free.

• The polyphenols in Green Tea have anti-inflammatory properties that may also be beneficial to skin health overall.

• Drinking water will keep your skin hydrated and helps to flush out the toxins and discourage formation of wrinkles. Our skin needs about eight glass of clean water – everyday.  Hydration comes from pure, clean water — not liquids such as soda or even soup.

By Lifecentury

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast in women and men. Worldwide, this is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer (10.4% of all cancer incidence, both sexes counted) and the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths. While the majority of new breast cancers are diagnosed as a result of an abnormality seen on a mammogram, a lump or change in consistency of the breast tissue can also be a warning sign of the disease.

Risk factors:

·                 Age: The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older. This disease is not common before menopause.

·                 Personal history of breast cancer: A woman with breast cancer in one breast has an increased risk of getting cancer in her other breast.

·                 Family history: A woman’s risk of breast cancer is higher if her family member got breast cancer before the age 40.

·                 Certain breast changes:  Women having cells in the breast that look abnormal under a microscope increases the risk of breast cancer.

·                 Gene changes: Changes in certain genes increase the risk of breast cancer. These genes include BRCA1, BRCA2, and others.

·                 Reproductive and menstrual history:

Ø       The older a woman when she has her first child, the greater her chance of breast cancer.

Ø       Women who had their first menstrual period before age 12 are at an increased risk of breast cancer.

Ø       Women who went through menopause after age 55 are at an increased risk of breast cancer.

Ø       Women who never had children are at an increased risk of breast cancer.

Ø       Women who take menopausal hormone therapy with estrogen plus progestin after menopause also appear to have an increased risk of breast cancer.

·                 Race: Breast cancer is diagnosed more often in white women than Latina, Asian, or African American women.

·                 Radiation therapy to the chest: Studies show that the younger a woman was when she received radiation treatment to the chest (including breasts), the higher her risk of breast cancer later in life.

·                 Breast density: Breast tissue may be dense or fatty. Older women whose mammograms show denser tissue are at increased risk of breast cancer.

·                 Taking DES (diethylstilbestrol): Women who took DES during pregnancy may have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.

·                 Being overweight or obese after menopause: The chance of getting breast cancer after menopause is higher in women who are overweight or obese.

·                 Lack of physical activity: Women who are physically inactive throughout life may have an increased risk of breast cancer. Being active may help reduce risk by preventing weight gain and obesity.

·                 Drinking alcohol: Studies suggest that women with higher intake of alcohol are at a greater risk of breast cancer.

Many risk factors, barring family history, can be avoided and women can protect themselves by staying away from known risk factors.

Natural Protection:

We’ve known for years that antioxidants can help prevent cancer. These naturally occurring compounds protect the body from harmful, excess free radicals. And the best way to have an antioxidant-rich foundation that is inhospitable to toxins and free radicals is through a combination of whole foods.

By - Dr Deepika Malik

When we breathe, we take in oxygen. This oxygen brings about a chemical reaction in our cells called oxidation, which is a byproduct of normal metabolism. The result of oxidation is the formation of molecules known as free radicals, which can damage cells and tissues in the body, leading to certain cancers, heart diseases, and other illnesses. Antioxidants help to clean up free radicals before they can oxygenate and cause harm to the body.

The following table describes various key antioxidants, their sources, and potential benefits.

Note: Because the study of antioxidants is new, the research is limited and inconclusive. There is no evidence that isolating antioxidants in a supplement offers health benefits or hinders the formation of free radicals. Most research suggests that it’s the combination of nutrients in whole foods that offer the most valuable source of antioxidants. Therefore from a public health perspective it is premature to make recommendations regarding antioxidant supplements and disease prevention. Perhaps the best advice, which comes from several authorities, is to eat 5 servings of fruit or vegetables per day.

- by Dr. Anshu Kumra

The heat of summer is affecting everyone. Staying well hydrated is essential to maintain adequate blood volume, energy levels and body functions.

Most of us should consume at least 8-12 glasses of water every day. However, the exact amount depends on the activity level, the outdoor temperature and body composition. With hot humid days the need goes up. In addition, if someone has more muscle than fat, liquid- need increases. Stay well-hydrated by drinking water, beverages, juices, milk and eating lots of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

SUMMER SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

• Low fat yogurt – 1 cup
• Pineapple juice – 1cup
• Strawberries- 5
• Banana – 1
• Ice cubes (crushed) – 3

Preparation:

Mix all the ingredients and blend them in a blender. Pour into tall glasses and serve with a straw each.

Yield: 3 servings

MANGO AND GREEN TEA SORBET

Combine the health benefits of green tea with the exotic sweetness of mangoes and you have a tasty Weight Watchers recipe.

Ingredients:

·                  Water - 2/3 cup

·                  Loose green tea leaves - 1/3 cup

·                  Sugar -1/2 cup

·                  Ripe mangoes - 3

·                  Fresh lemon juice -3 tablespoons

Preparation:

Put water and tea leaves in a saucepan. Bring just to a boil, remove from heat and let steep 5 minutes. Strain and discard the leaves. Return tea to clean saucepan, add sugar and bring to a boil. Boil until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool.

Peel mangos and cut it into pieces. Puree mangos with lemon juice in a blender. Add tea and blend until smooth. Pour into a 9-inch glass baking dish and freeze for about 3 hours.

Transfer mango mixture to a food processor. Churn for 30 to 40 seconds and serve at once.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings