The Unsung Hero of the World of Ayurveda: Have You Heard of Manjistha?

Rare ingredients have always excited me and this is one of the primary reasons why I turn to Ayurveda for my everyday woes. Cosmetic companies come up with new elements in their products by the day, why is it that we believe in them and let Ayurveda take a backseat? The age old science is a gold-plated arsenal of natural herbs and ingredients that have been in its repertoire for centuries. Recently, I came across a herb that caught my fancy instantly. I had ordered for a face scrub from…

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Teenage Weight Tied to Odds of Diabetes-Related Death

The increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and eventually dying from the disease, begins early in life and at weights in the “normal” range, a new study suggests. Researchers followed the fates of millions of Israeli teenagers weighed at age 17, and found a steady increase in the likelihood of death from diabetes-related causes up to age 70 that was tied to heavier weights in the teen years. “This study provides further evidence for the urgent need for firm public health actions to overcome the childhood obesity epidemic, as…

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Kids Need Just Two Doses of Cancer Vaccine

Kids aged 11-12 should get only two doses of a vaccine to prevent cancers caused by human papillomavirus, instead of the previously recommended three shots, US health authorities said Thursday. The updated recommendation from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is based on research that shows younger adolescents can get similar protection that way, and may be more likely to get vaccinated if fewer shots are required. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause cancers of the head, neck, cervix, penis and anus. Some…

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World Iodine Deficiency Day: Understanding the Importance of Iodine

Minerals and vitamins are vital for a healthy life. They play a significant role in the physical and mental development of humans from conception itself. The main micronutrient deficiencies which are creating public health problems worldwide are iodine, iron, folic acid, vitamin A and zinc. What is Iodine? Iodine is an essential dietary mineral that is stored in the thyroid gland. It is essential for the production of thyroid hormones thyroxine (T3) and triiodothyronine (T4). Thyroid hormones affect all the cells in the human body, they are important for the…

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Report: More Than Half of Mentally Ill U.S. Adults Get No Treatment

Mental Health America just released its annual assessment of Americans with mental illness, the treatment they receive and the resources available to them – and the conclusions are sobering: Twenty percent of adults (43.7 million) have a mental health condition, and more than half of them do not receive treatment. Among youth, the rates of depression are rising, but 80 percent of children and adolescents either get insufficient treatment or none at all. “Once again, our report shows that too many Americans are suffering and far too many are not…

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How to Get Rid of a Double Chin: 5 Easy Exercises

While we’re told that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, most of us look for some sort of reinforcement when we look at the mirror and having a double chin may rob your confidence. The good news is that you don’t have to undergo painful surgeries or expensive treatments to get rid of it. You can work on it the natural way. You may have not known but there are some simple exercises that you can do at home to combat a double chin. But first, why do…

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