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| HEALTH & FITNESS |
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How fibre helps maintain good health Curing diseases through cells in teeth
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How fibre helps maintain good health Fibre is an edible food material that passes through the intestinal tract undigested. It is an important component of a balanced diet. The changing pattern in our eating habits has taken its toll on the fibre content of the diet. This has led to increasing cases of piles, fissures, bowel cancer and diverticulosis. There are two main types of dietary fibre: insoluble and soluble.
Insoluble fibre: Insoluble fibre causes a large, soft, bulky stool that passes through the bowel more easily and quickly. Softer and larger stool leads to preventing constipation and straining which can help avoid or relieve piles (haemorrhoids) and fissures. More bulk means less pressure in the colon, and this is important in treating the irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. Insoluble fibre includes wheat bran, whole cereal grains and vegetables. Soluble fibre: Soluble fibre forms a gelatin-like substance in the intestines and increases the water content in stool. This kind of fibre decreases blood cholesterol and results in a lower blood sugar level after meals for diabetics. Soluble fibre is found in citrus fruit, legumes (dried beans and peas), oats, barley and “gums” which are contained in oatmeal and dried beans. Benefits of high-fibre diet
1. Prevention of colon polyps / cancer
A diet high in fibre digests and eliminates the foods in one-third of the time compared to the diet low in fibre. This helps to sweep out harmful substances before they can cause problems in the body. Colon cancer is a major health problem. It is second only to lung cancer in the number of deaths per year. In countries where grains are unprocessed and retain their fibre, there is lower incidence of colon cancer. Cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens) in the diet and environment can stay in contract with the colon wall for a longer time and in higher concentration when the diet is low in fibre. Large, bulky stool acts to dilute and diffuse these carcinogens and to move them through the bowel more quickly. Less carcinogen exposure to the colon may mean less colon cancer. 2. Benefit in the irritable bowel syndrome The irritable bowel syndrome, sometimes called spastic colon or IBS, is one of the most common disorders of the lower digestive tract. There is no disease present in the irritable bowel syndrome. However, its symptoms can resemble other disorders. The symptoms of IBS are constipation, diarrhoea (or both alternately), abdominal pain, cramps and spasms. Acute episodes can be triggered by emotional tension and anxiety, poor dietary habits, and certain medications. Increased amounts of fibre in the diet can help relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and if not treated it may lead to diverticulosis of the colon. 3.
Decreasing cholesterol and atherosclrosis Soluble fibre, when mixed with water, produces a gelatinous mucous gel which has bowel-regulating effects and acts to lower blood cholesterol by binding with the cholesterol in the intestine and carrying it away in the stool. 4.Weight management and obesity Obesity increases the risk of a range of health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. Fibre is the key to healthy weight management. Since it is indigestible, it provides a sensation of fullness without increasing the calorie intake.
High-fibre foods
Most of urban people eat only 5 to 10 grams of fibre a day but the recommended intake is 20 to 35 grams of fibre a day, which will usually produce 1 to 2 soft and formed stools a day. High-fibre foods such as fruits and vegetables also tend to be low in calories, which in turn do not cause weight gain. High-fibre foods can be found in most food groups. Different types of food should be selected to get the benefits of them all. Legumes include kidney, pinto, navy, lima and baked beans. The bean family excels in fibre, especially the soluble, cholesterol-lowering type. Whole grains — wheat bran and oat bran are present in a variety of cereals and breads which contain whole wheat or grain. Plain wheat bread may lack fibre. Bran is the brown, outer covering of cereal grains such as wheat, rye, oats, barley, corn and rice. The body does not digest it as we lack the enzymes needed to break down this complex carbohydrate. As it goes through your gastrointestinal system, it absorbs water and swells. Any food that is undigested is excreted through the stool, as are other waste products. Whole fresh fruits — The valuable pectin fibre is found in the skin and pulp. Figs, prunes and raspberries have the highest fibre content. Cooked or stewed fruits — Prune and applesauce are good choices. Green leafy vegetables — Lettuce, spinach, celery, and broccoli are good examples. Root vegetables — Potatoes, turnips and carrots are excellent sources. The following are good general rules to be kept in mind: Drink plenty of liquids, including fruit or vegetable juices and water. Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly to allow the upper digestive tract to work well. This may help prevent medical problems from developing in the lower digestive tract. Eat meals at regular intervals. A sudden increase in dietary fibre can upset the digestive system and cause symptoms like flatulence (gas) and abdominal pain. It is better to slowly increase the amount of fibre in the diet over a period of several weeks. Diets that are too high in fibre can hinder the
absorption of certain minerals, including iron, zinc and calcium. Avoid consuming more than 35g of fibre per day. So, grandmother was right when she used to say, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, provided the apple is unpeeled and free from sprayed chemicals. The writer, a well-known colorectal surgeon, is a Sr Consultant at Fortis Hospital, Mohali. Email-
drgargpankaj@yahoo.com |
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Curing diseases through cells in teeth Stem cells are the “master cells” of the human body which can differentiate themselves into various other types of cells like heart muscle cells, bone cells, brain cells, etc. These cells can multiply several times depending on the surrounding tissue and can form the desired tissue or organ. For example, if we inject stem cells into damaged heart muscles, they will differentiate into healthy heart muscles and repair the damaged tissue, and therefore being helpful in curing a heart disease. We can bank /store these unique cells for our future use for the cure of degenerative and life-threatening diseases. It is similar to the practice of banking where one deposits money for future use. Hence the term stem cell banking. Till today the commonly known sources of stem cells are the umbilical cord and the bone marrow of the human body. To retrieve stem cells from the bone marrow is a tedious process. The umbilical cord can be preserved only at the time of birth for retrieval of stem cells. So, for the people who have missed the opportunity of banking their stem cells through the umbilical cord at the time of their birth, there is great news. Dental stem cells (DSC) have been found to be equally useful. DSCs are present in the pulp of human teeth.
Procedure of storing DSCs
The dentist has the sole authority to decide which tooth is to be removed and when to remove. After extraction, the tooth is stored in a special storage kit and is sent to the stem cell bank. There it is preserved at sub zero temperature (cryopreservation). Then the patient receives his/her certificate for the stem cell bank. The patient can retrieve his/her stem cells whenever needed.
Which teeth are suitable for DSC banking?
The milk teeth of children (aged 6-12 years) and wisdom teeth in adults are two potent sources of DSCs. However, the other teeth are also the viable sources of DSCs. To store DSCs the age of the patient plays a significant role because in the case of a young patient the probability of viable stem cells is higher. So, if one wants to store his/her DSCs, sooner the better.
Why should we opt for DSC banking?
It is a mode of “biological insurance” as it can be useful in treating various life-threatening and debilitating diseases like heart diseases, myocardial infarction, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, bone defects, multiple sclerosis, etc. Banking your dental stem cells can increase the chances of better life expectancy.
Who should go for DSC banking?
The patients who have the family history of life-threatening diseases can opt for this life-saving modality. Also the children aged between 6 and 12 years must go in for DSC banking. Otherwise also they are going to shed off their milk teeth. So, rather than making it the fairy world’s property, we can preserve these life-saving seeds. To preserve the milk teeth of children, inform your dentist as soon as the teeth get loosened in the child’s mouth. The rest will be taken care by your dentist. Moreover, the people who do not fall in the above category can go in for the extraction of their wisdom teeth (which generally are rudimentary) to store dental stem cells. The difference between umbilical cord stem cells and bone marrow stem cells: Umbilical cord stem cells are preserved at the time of birth and are used to treat blood-related diseases only. Whereas dental stem cells have a wide range of age (6 years to adulthood) to preserve and have the capacity to treat both hard and soft tissue diseases. Bone marrow stem cells are rarely used because of the difficult mode of retrieval. So, bank your smiles today for your healthy future tomorrow. The writer is a Panchkula-based dentist. |
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Blood test may help predict lung cancer risk
Washington: Elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood is said to indicate that something has gone wrong with the liver. Now researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have found that male smokers with low levels of the yellow-tinged chemical are at higher risk for lung cancer and dying from the disease. “Our study indicates male smokers with low levels of bilirubin are a high-risk group that can be targeted with smoking cessation help, low-dose spiral CT screening of their lungs and other preventive measures,” said senior author Xifeng Wu, professor and chair of MD Anderson’s Department of Epidemiology and the Betty B. Marcus Chair in Cancer Prevention. The researchers started with an objective analysis of levels of metabolites — substances produced during metabolism. Bilirubin is produced during the breakdown of old blood cells.
Your skin can say a lot
about health
Washington: Your skin can be a crucial early-warning system for a range of health problems, according to doctors. They said signs of brittle bones, diabetes and vitamin deficiencies may surface on skin before other symptoms appears, the Huffington Post reported. A study of 114 recently postmenopausal women found that deep wrinkles on the face and neck could indicate an increased risk for broken bones. The reason is that women with such wrinkles were more likely to have lower bone density in areas like the hips, spine and heels. Estrogen promotes the production of the protein collagen, which your skin and bones both rely on to maintain density. So as a woman’s level of estrogen declines in menopause, said Dr Ronald Young, co-director of the Menopause Center at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women in Houston, “collagen in the skin is depleted, which means the skin isn’t as firm and elastic, and wrinkles develop.” — ANI
Cholesterol-reducing statins’ ‘benefits’ outweigh side-effects
London: Cholesterol-reducing tablets statins have positive benefits despite some side effects like headaches, nosebleeds and digestive problems, an extensive study has concluded. The drug has already led to a marked reduction in people suffering heart attacks. But thousands of patients give up on the pills after suffering minor side effects. Now, however, research scientists have come to the conclusion that, in most cases, users should continue to take statins, the Daily Express reports. Cardiologist Dr Dennis Ko said for people who would benefit from these drugs significantly, particularly for people with a history of heart problems, you should persist. — ANI
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Dr Pankaj Garg
