HEALTH

Add anti-stress food to diet

Stress is the physical, mental and emotional reactions one experiences as a result of changes and demands in ones life. Stress is part and parcel of common events in life. It comes with all of life's daily hassles, traffic jams, long queues, petty arguments and other relatively small irritations. Stress also comes with crises and changing events in one's life such as marital discord, children leaving home, losing a job and illness. All these events force one to adjust, whether one is prepared or not. Unless, there is a regular release of tension, the risk to physical and mental illness is increased manifold.

The immediate physical reactions to stress are universal :

* Blood pressure increases

* Heart rate increases to move blood to the muscles and brain

* Breathing rate increases

* Digestion slows

It is important that our diet should constitute anti-stress food. A balanced diet, with a close look at certain vitamins and minerals, is essential to maintain good health.

The intake of vitamin C helps to battle the influence of stress. Vitamin C is necessary for the conversion of noradrenaline, an anti-stress hormone. It also helps in the production of norepinephrine and adrenaline. Good food sources of vitamin C are lime, orange, apple juice, guava, amla, green and red pepper and green leafy vegetables (cabbage and methi).

Vitamin B has earned reputation as 'anti-stress' nutrients. B-complex vitamins especially B-6, B-12, niacin, folate and pantothenate.

*Drink yellow and orange fruit juice, eat deep green-yellow vegetables as well as whole grains. These B vitamins are the current favourites for preventing heart disease.

*Take half teaspoon of Ashwaganda powder with a cup of hot milk two times a day.

*If you are under stress, take bath under a shower immediately.

*Drink eight to 10 glasses of fresh water regularly.

*Learn to relax. Try relaxation techniques until you find the one that works for you. There is a range of the techniques from meditation and yoga to progressive muscle relaxation.

Dr Anil Dheer

Conference on ethical dilemma in medicine
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 27
A conference on “Ethical Dilemma in Modern Medicine” will be organised at the CMC here tomorrow. The objective of the conference is to seek support of all who are committed to the ethical practice of medicine in India.

Some eminent personalities from the field of social ethics, medicine, religion and law will attend the conference.

Swami Agnivesh, MP, will be the chief guest and inaugurate the conference tomorrow in the hospital auditorium.

Mr Anurag Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner will be the guest of honour.

Father Thomas Kalam, Director of St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, will present a paper on “Human rights violation in medicine.”