Following are the most simple & practicable, that everyone can afford to keep in good health and spirits! These are the collections of articles from many sources that are reproduced here in good faith and interest for the benefit of the net surfers. Yes, your daily intake of good and healthy food itself act as a preventive medicine for many ailments and health setbacks! Regular timing for your daily intake - breakfast, Lunch & supper plus avoiding eating in-between would itself make you fit and healthy. The following tips should give you a good idea, how we can maintain your health. And a minimum of six hours undisturbed and sound sleep should add to your longevity! A refreshed mind, freshness in your look and feel you can get, if you're a early raiser. All the best.

Warning: Neither I am a Doctor nor a physician. The suggestive methods that are practiced in India and for generations these methods are carried to the younger ones by our grandmas'. Some of these tips are availed from other sources and many of these I got by hearsay.Some of the tips given here below are of with items that are objectionable to Srivaishnavas & Jain community. However, the same can be taken as medicine without giving much importance to religious feelings. And for the sake of my legal protection, please visit this page, before you practice! 

TRS Iyengar

2) Health Tips - Super Fruits

Kiwi : Tiny but mighty

This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E & fiber.  It's Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

Apple : An apple a day keeps the doctor away?

Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of Vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attach & stroke.

Strawberry : Protective Fruit

Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer causing, blood vessels clogging free radicals.

Orange : Sweetest medicine

Taking 2 -4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessen the risk of colon cancer.

Watermelon : Coolest Thirst Quencher

Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione which helps boost our immune system.  They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant.  Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C & Potassium.

Guava & Papaya : Top awards for Vitamin C

They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content.  Guava is also rich in fibre which helps prevent constipation.  Papaya is rich in carotene, this is good for your eyes.

Tips of how to stay young....

Research has found that people who generally live longer do so partly because of good habits.  Here, Dr Vernon Coleman and others provide some of the following good habits for longevity.

1)           1.    Laugh & fun, don't be gloomy

2)           2.    Let bygones be bygones.  Dwelling on the past inflicts unnecessary stress.

3)           3.    Early to bed, early to rise, is healthy & wise

4)           4.    Stay lean, being just 30% overweight is bad.

5)           5.    Keep learning, reading & socializing - an alert & active mind keeps brain cells healthy.

6)           6.    Keep working, doing something you like.  Don't retire, it slows down your body.

7)           7.    Be the boss of your own life.  Letting others push you around produces stress.

8)           8.    Too many pills ruin your body, take just what you need.

9)           9.    Constantly alternating between weight gain & loss is bad

10)       10.    Exercise, quit smoking and eat less fatty foods

11.    Never give way to any negative thoughts, just be as you are and try to be with the good company of jovial and smiling persons.

12.    Be calm, polite and patience with any situation and circumstances. This will naturally take you to feel happy mood all the time and would not cause any shrinks or ageing in your person!

13.    Sleep 6 hours a day. More than six hours sleep causes fatigue and memory loss. Early to bed and early to raise are the mantras for healthy way of life.

11)       14.    Do not worry about health & death, just get on with your life and enjoy it. Above all, you should think and feel 'so many years' YOUNG, instead of counting so many years 'old' !

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3) Vegetables

BROCCOLI

How it combats cancer: Research has revealed that a chemical component called indole-3-carbinol can combat breast cancer by converting a cancer-promoting estrogen into a more protective riety. The phytochemical sulforaphane raises the levels of certain cancer-fighting enzymes that defend the body from cigarette smoke, fumes, pesticides & other known carcinogens.

Diet tips: Broccoli leaves actually contain more beta-carotene (i.e. pre-Vitamin A) than the florets - use leaves in purees, soups, stir-fries. To preserve broccoli's valuable nutrients, steam or microwave, being careful not to overcook.  Avoid garnishing broccoli with fatty cheeses and creams instead, squeeze on some lemon juice or sprinkle with toasted bread crumbs.  

PAPAYA

How it combats cancer: Its plentiful store of vitamin C works as an antioxidant and may also reduce absorption of cancer-causing nitro amines from the soil or processed foods.  Papaya contains folacin  (also known as folic acid), which has been shown to minimize cervical ysplasia and certain cancers.

Diet tips: Choose papayas that are at least half yellow in the store - fully green ones were probably picked too soon and won't ripen properly.  You can serve papaya in fruit salad, add it to a garlic-and-spinach pasta mixture, or just eat it on  its own, letting the juice dribble down your arm.

GARLIC

How it combats cancer: Garlic's immune-enhancing alliums compounds block carcinogens from entering cells and slow tumor development. Diallyl sulfide, a component of garlic oil, has also been shown to render carcinogens in the liver inactive.  Studies have linked garlic - as well as onions, leeks, and chives - to lower risk of stomach and colon cancer.  

KALE

How it combats cancer: Research has shown that indoles, nitrogen compounds found in kale and other leafy greens, may help stop the conversion of certain lesions to cancerous cells in estrogen-sensitive tissues. In addition, isothiocyanates, phytochemicals found in kale, are thought to suppress tumor growth and block cancer-causing substances from reaching their targets.

Diet tips: A cruciferous vegetable, kale requires quick cooking - blanching or steaming - to preserve its nutrients. When you're done, save the nutrient-rich cooking liquid for soups or sauces. You can also use whole large leaves to wrap fillings or to layer in lasagna.  

SWEET POTATO

How it combats cancer: This nutrient-dense food contains many anticancer properties. It's loaded with beta-carotene, which may protect DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer-causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane.  

Diet tips: Go for freshness when picking potatoes - canned arieties contain less beta-carotene and vitamins C and B. Naturally sweet and creamy, mashed sweet potatoes can be enhanced with a little apple juice. Or whip the cooked tubers with orange zest or orange juice and season with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.  

GRAPEFRUIT

How it combats cancer: Grapefruits, like oranges and other citrus fruits, contain monoterpenes, believed to help prevent cancer by sweeping carcinogens out of the body. Some studies show that grapefruit can inhibit the proliferation of breast-cancer cells in vitro. It also contains vitamin C, beta-carotene, and folic acid.

Diet tips: Grapefruit can be sweetened with brown sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup or honey; vanilla extract, fresh mint, and almonds also accent the fruit's flavor. Grapefruit juice will give you the antioxidants and phytochemicals that fight cancer, but it's missing the fiber that fresh, whole grapefruit offers.

AVOCADO

How it combats cancer: Avocados are rich in glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the body by blocking intestinal absorption of certain fats. Ounce for ounce, avocados also supply 60 percent more potassium than bananas and are a strong source of beta-carotene.

Diet tips: Store avocados at room temperature until they soften. If you don't eat the fruit immediately after cutting, sprinkle on some lemon or lime juice to keep it from darkening. Add chunks or slices to salads and sandwiches or spread mashed avocado on bread.  

SEAWEED

How they combat cancer: Seaweed and other sea vegetables contain beta-carotene, protein, vitamin B12, fiber, and chlorophyll, as well as chlorophylones - important fatty acids that may help in the fight against breast cancer. Also, many sea vegetables have high concentrations of the minerals potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and iodine.

Diet tips: Sea vegetables come fresh, dried, or powdered. Both the Japanese & the Irish regularly use them as flavorings for soups, stir-fried over rice.

TOFU

How it combats cancer: Soy contains several types of phytoestrogens -weak, non-steroidal estrogens that could help prevent both breast and prostate cancer by blocking and suppressing cancerous changes. Genistein, one type of phytoestrogen, also lowers breast-cancer risk by inhibiting the growth of epithelial cells & new blood vessels that tumors require to flourish.

Diet tips: Tofu is made by coagulating the protein in soybeans - much the way cheese is produced. While bland on its own, tofu absorbs other flavors when cooked, making it perfect for stir-fries, dips, spreads, shakes, even cheesecake. It's also a good high-protein substitute for meat, whole milk & mayonnaise.

 4) CAUSES OF CANCER

The number ONE killer in Singapore is cancer (followed by Heart Disease & Stroke). Not all cancers are the same. 1/3 is curable. 1/3 is preventable. 2 factors of cancer that cannot be controlled are AGE & FAMILY HISTORY.

 Causes of cancer:-

1. Smoking is very often the main cause of cancer. It kills us silently and drains money from us quietly. There're 4,000 harmful chemicals (though in diluted form) in one stick of cigarette. Taking one puff is 600 times worst than inhaling the exhaust fumes from vehicles.

2. Some food that cause cancer are:

2.1 Barbecued Food

2.2 Deep Fried Food

2.3 Overheatin

2.4 Food that is high in fat causes our bile to secrete acid that contains a chemical which is a promoter of cancer cells.

2.5 Food that contains preservatives, too much salt or nitrates (e.g. Canned food, veggies & sausages, etc.)

2.6 Overnight Rice (where Aflatoxin is accumulated)

2.7 Food that is low in fiber: Our body needs 25 gm of both soluble & insoluble fibers daily. We must drink at least 1.5 liters of plain water a day.

• 2.8 Contaminated Food (e.g. moulded bread causes our body to secrete toxins that may eventually lead to liver cancer in the long run. Never eat bread that is kept in room temperature for more than 2 days especially in a humid weather like Singapore's.  

3. Types of fat and which is the best?

• 3. 1 Highly Recommended for Health:-

  i.            Olive Oil - The best of all oils. It does not absorb in our body.

 ii.           Peanut Oil - It contains Vitamin E.  Only a small dosage is recommended. 

• 3  2 Not Recommended for Health

      i    Vegetable Fat - Palm oil is worst than coconut oil. It is high in cholesterol and highly unsaturated.

      ii   Coconut Oil - It has saturated fat.

3. Specific Food & Beverages

      3.1 Cabbage is highly recommended for health reason.

      3.2 Tomato is best eaten raw with a bit of olive oil for better absorption. Other alternative is to take tomato sauce.

      4.3 Coffee is good because it contains 2 anti-oxidants. Inhaling the coffee aroma for half each day is equivalent to eating two oranges a day. However, the residue of over-burned coffee is extremely bad for health. It can cause cancer.

      3.4 Tea, as long as it is in its original tea leaves and not processed into BOH or Lipton packets, it is good for health. Tea contains 30 anti-oxidants. Recommended dosage is 4 cups a day.

Exercise and be fit - Have a balanced lifestyle. Exercise regularly.

F    : Frequency: 3 to 5 times a week.

I    : Intensity: Exercise till we sweat and breath deeply.

T     : Types of exercises: Find one that suits your age, lifestyle, etc.  

Have regular check-up

Once we reach the age of 45 & above, it is recommended that we go for regular comprehensive health examination. Early detection may save lives.

4) SALT THE CURE OF PAIN

I believe that most of your moms always tell you to drink a glass of salt water/rinse your mouth with salt water if you have a sore throat because salt can reduce inflammation.

This method has actually been proven (medically) to be really effective and it really can help to reduce inflammation.

They have also tested on other medical values of salt and found out that:

If you have pain in your joints/spine/body, you can simply try out this method which can help to relieve the pain (especially for old people who have rheumatism). Simply fry the salt let it settle down for a while before applying on affected areas. And if you have a problem of Hair Loss, you can simply prepare a pail of salt water and rinse your scalp/hair with it (it takes about 2 weeks to a month). It will not help in growing of new hair but can prevent.  After tedious/strenuous exercise, soaking your feet with salt water can help to prevent cramps and pain; and also prevent from  skin irritation.  Hope it will be of help to you.  

6) HONEY & CINNAMON

It is found that mixture of Honey and Cinnamon cures most of the diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Ayurvedic as well as Unani medicine have been using honey as a vital medicine for centuries. Scientists of today also accept honey as a Ram Ban (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients also. A famous magazine named Weekly World News published in Canada dated 17 January, 95 has given a list of diseases that can be cured by Honey and Cinnamon as researched by western scientists.

The list is shown below: