The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle

Game for a cause?
Sports has become the forum to voice one's social concerns
Ashima Sehajpal

When the cause is worth it, concern grows inadvertently. So much so that sports too become a means to an end. When the cause was raising funds for Haiti earthquake victims, Bhaichung Bhutia contributed by playing a football match for Zidane XI. When the cause was celebrating No Tobacco Day, Sohail Khan, Aftab Shivdasani and Milind Soman played a cricket match against Mumbai city doctors. When the cause was raising money for AIDS and cancer victims, Dino Morea, Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan partitipated in a football match.

The spirit of sports was uitilised to celebrate the spirit of Chandigarh in Chandigarh Marathon also. If not many celebs, we saw Poonam Dhillon and Dinesh Mongia running along with a certain Mr Sharma, a businessman, Mrs Verma, a school teacher, Ritika, a college student, Manpreet, a school boy, even 80-year-old Mr Singh, ran. In total they ran with 3,000 people. Then students of YPS played the basketball match to promote the cause of drug abuse. How sports manage to support such somber causes? Rahul Verghese, founder or Running and Living Infotainment and organizer of Chandigarh Marathon says, "Sports provide a platform that all can share to put forth their concern. It's human psychology that we feel safe to take up a social issue collectively than doing something single-handedly." He adds that on an occasion like a marathon when 1,000 people come together, they feel the desire to contribute and gain confidence. The estimated number of people to have participated in the Chandigarh marathon was a thousand more the expected number.

Poonam Dhillon defines marathon as a public sport, in which anybody can participate and work for the social issue. "It at least brings people out of their homes. Marathon doesn't require one be an athlete and thus is open to anyone who intends to contribute." The enthusiasm in people when together makes her realise the strength of general public. "I don't think any conference or meeting can get people involved as much as a sport can."

Thus hundreds of saplings were planted by people in one of the marathons held in the city. "Another one that enjoyed an overwhelming response was dedicated to ban on plastic bags, in which people ran with placards in hands and wore T-shirts with ban on plastic bags printed on them," informs Verghese.

After winning an Olympic medal, boxer Vijender Singh has played a lot of boxing matches for charity as well, "The causes of which have varied from AIDS, cancer, support literacy, drug abuse, autism," says Vijender. In the country where people treat sportspersons as demigods, sports has to be optimally and effectively used for public welfare. As Vijender rightly puts it, "Media either gives more attention to Bollywood celebs or sports stars. Any social cause promoted through them gets publicised as well." He recently ran in the Delhi marathon, organised by an NGO Isha Vidya for education free of cost.

As compared to all other sports, Poonam feels marathon serves the purpose best, "The entire city becomes the stadium and the city's population either becomes the participant or the spectator." Besides the social causes, sports always have promoted the health issues. People do take part in marathons to keep themselves healthy (Anil Ambani runs for the same reason). In fact, the recently held Fortis Healthy Heart Golf Tournament saw the participation of over 120 senior citizens who through their game endorsed that golf keeps the heart healthy. Captain (retd) Shamsher Singh, 87, who was seen swinging the club and plonking the ball, summed up the whole issue in one line, "What keeps me active and going is just golf." The cause is worth it and concern has grown inadvertently!

ashima@tribunemail.com

DOGmatically speaking
Lobo was not way of the mark when he sang Love Me Love My Dog. The rare breeds and their proud owners were playing up to the song at a dog show
Manpriya Khurana

Who let the dogs out? Woof, woof, woof…It was a dog's day and what a day! Me, my dog, Valentine's and the love for canines was full on display. Never mind their barking, licking, sniffing, fiddle with their love and beware of the owner. The Rottweiler Club of India's National Rottweiler Specialty show at Leisure Valley-10 had exhibitors, guests, visitors, advertisers, sponsors…and yeah some dogs too.

The chaos at the parking lot serves as insinuation, a couple of feet away, the other side, a few stalls down the line and there's a world barking their way to the glory. "We have a total of 68 dogs participating in the show and this is one of the first few specialty dog shows in India," Rahul Chhibber, secretary, fills in just a few of the blanks. Why just Rottweiler? He says, "At the point of time, this is one of the most popular breeds, moreover, they are the preferred dogs."

Leaving the categories and the competitions to the jury, there's a growling, snarling world out there. Till the Best in Show, Best Puppy in show, Reserve Puppy in show and the like are decided and it's okay to look wide eyed, ask for the breed, start up a conversation. St. Bernard, Akita Inu, Neapolitan Mastiff, Poodle, Dashshund, Cane Corso, Great Dane, Apkash, Toypom, Basset Hound, Tibet Mastiff, Beagle, including the adorable omnipresent Hutch pug, they were all there. A dog lover would be like a child in a candy shop.

Shares Daksh Sharma of his big black Neapolitan Mastiff, "I came all the way from Ajmer to make my champion bitch take part in the show. The best part about it is, that it's a hunting dog and is also very rare."

Rare; appears the commonest factor, the decisive point for what breed to go in for. Says Amandeep Singh, from Mohali of his jet black Cane Corso, "It's a Italian Mastiff and we imported it from Serbia. Why we went in for this breed out of all the available options was they're very rare and unique. Rather, it's the first one at least in this part of the region."

At one of the kennel clubs, there's half a dozen tiny meek creatures struggling to move out of the basket, other places there're three- feet-long ferocious breeds scaring all and sundry away. Shares Parminder Singh from Malerkotla, "My dog is a Toypom. They look extremely tiny but they make wonderful guards, are alert all the time, overactive, eat only non-veg, ready to scratch and bite."

Whoever thought the most-faithful domesticated animals came for a song. Shares an exhibitor of the ferocious looking, "They are generally docile and a seven to 11-month-old Akita is imported from America, is not available here and sets one back by around Rs 5 lakh." For those there just to look around, beware also of the owners unable to control the leash, of giant gnawing ones, while assuring, "Oh it won't say anything. It's very docile."

Manpriya@tribunemail.com

Siddharth strikes

His first two movies in Bollywood have been serious ones with gritty, slice-of-life plots, but now actor Siddharth is all set to go the full-blown masala movie way with his next venture.

He caught eyeballs with his role of a disillusioned young man in his Bollywood debut Rang De Basanti and went on to play the truth-inspired character of a carrom player from Mumbai’s ghettos in Striker, but the actor promises his next film will be a light-hearted one. “The next one is going to be a full-on Bollywood masala movie. It is a big-budget romantic comedy with an A-list director,” Siddharth told. “It is time to show the Hindi audience what I do in the Telugu industry, but I can’t reveal much about the film right now,” he added. The 30-year-old actor has a loyal fan base in South India, especially Andhra Pradesh, so much so that after his promising debut with Rang De.., he took a four-year break to fulfill his commitments in Telugu films.

“I had turned down big-budgeted films with solo leads in Bollywood as I wanted to consolidate my position in the Telugu industry, which paid off as I got three big hits there in the past years. Now there will be no gap,” Siddharth said.

The actor, who has also lent his voice for a track in Striker, hopes to carry on with the vocation if the audience likes him. — PTI

Publicity rules

Promotion rather than the product matters more in today’s industry, says Sunny
Actor Sunny Deol says even though he and director Rajkumar Santoshi have made critically acclaimed films, including the National Award winning Ghayal together, investors feel the duo is not ‘commercially viable’.

“Film industry is now market-driven. You need to be seen, talked about rather than be known by the movies you make,” Sunny told. Speaking about directors Rahul Rawail and Santoshi, with whom he worked in movies like Arjun and Dacait, the actor said the two have done good work with him.

“Rahul is not doing any work now. Raj and I are planning but don’t know when will it happen. We may or may not work together. Investors feel Raj and I are not commercially viable that is why projects are not coming in,” the actor said. Sunny, who debuted with Betaab in 1983, said his career had taken a backseat in the last few years because of his illness as he suffered from a severe backache.

“I was out of the country for nearly six months every year (in the last few years). I realise that over the period a lot of things have changed and there is so much that I have not done,” the 53-year-old actor said. Sunny said for him and his family, movies are their only PR (public relations). “Now actors have to be seen and written about. We are unable to do that and never will,” he added. — PTI

Khan’t miss this one

Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who left a trail of fans swooning at the red carpet premiere of My Name is Khan at the Berlin International Film Festival, says self-mockingly he keeps getting better looking and he would soon ‘look like Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise’.

Mimicking his character Rizwan Khan in the film, he said: “There’s something in my genes. I keep getting better looking - and I just can’t control it. Soon I’m going to look like Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.

But beyond that I’ve no problems.” German fans from Berlin, Hannover, Hamburg and Munich thronged the streets even as it snowed for a glimpse of actors Shah Rukh, Kajol and filmmaker Karan Johar at the Friday night premiere, where the film received a thunderous ovation.I have never understood the love of my German fans or why Germans love Bollywood so much, but I am very thankful for it. Germany has genuinely opened a window for Indians to Western cinema.

I am here to serve the audience, I am servile. My job is to make people smile,” Shah Rukh said at the premiere.

Among his fans in the snow was Elke Kolloge, 50, mother of three who had come from Hannover to Berlin just for a glimpse of her favourite star.

“I just love Shah Rukh, his personality, his honesty. My husband doesn’t like this at all! Luckily my daughter Lisa is his fan too. I have seen all SRK films, including Paheli, Swades, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and Om Shanti Om. I really hope Shah Rukh gets the Oscar next year!” — IANS

Mayer in the dock

John Mayer’s apology for using the controversial ‘N word’ in one of his interviews has done him little to get back into the good books of critics who continue to slam the singer for using degrading language.

Though the star realised his mistake and was quick to apologise on his Twitter page, critics suggested the damage was already done.. An A-list Hollywood record executive told Pop Tarts: “Whenever you use the N-word, there are going to be serious consequences. People come back all the time from inappropriate comments, but this is a serious problem that could possibly hurt record sales and his public perception if it keeps blowing up. Mayer should do some sensitivity training, which might be a good start in bouncing back from this.”

A label insider added: “His comments were as offensive as you can get. Some African-American artists will definitely stand their ground and just write him off. Mayer’s comments are not only unacceptable, they’re illogical and totally irrational for somebody who is as smart as he is supposed to be.” The National Organization for African-American women also slammed Mayer, saying: “The NOAW is outraged by the recent degrading and irresponsible statements made by recording artist John Mayer. His statements in regards to African-American women were disgraceful. The use of the ‘N’ word was particularly offensive and vile. His outlandish statements are a slap in the face to the multitude of African-American people who are his fans and who have purchased his music.” — ANI

GREEN horns
Technology meets conscience at the Auto Mall 2010
Jasmine Singh

We are finally getting there. The Copenhagen talks got the bonfire ready, and the social networking sites, media, environmentalists and various campaigns made the fire go. And now, the flames of this bonfire are visible. We saw them simmering inside people visiting the Auto Mall 2010 at Parade Ground-17.

Needless to say, they liked the swanky models, flashy colours, jazzed up styles; they are pretty okay with the cost too. But it is the environment-friendly factor that roused their curiosity. The queries, largely coming for their concern for the environment, 'How environment friendly is Maruti's Eeco, how good are the concept cars, do they offer any alternate solutions to reduce the level of pollution and so on'. After all, the Auto Mall was not all about cars, it's also about looking for solutions and answers.

A few engineering students at Indo Global College have come out with solar cum electric cars, which, if marketed seriously, will be able to provide an answer to the problem of growing percentage of pollutants in the air.

"In most foreign countries cars after a certain period are discarded to bring down the level of pollution. Manufacturers and buyers also understand the need for growing awareness about the environment," offers Sandeep Kapoor, managing director, Relico Quick India Pvt Lt, "The new technology, being used in cars, caters to all environmental norms. Also, we get maximum queries from the people who want cars that wouldn't pollute the environment," he adds.

Honda Civic Hybrid and General Motors are thinking of increasing the production of Reva. Automobile manufactures are finally getting there. After all they have a conscience too. What good are the super expensive models, if one can not enjoy a drive with mirrors rolled down to fill one's lungs with clean and fresh oxygen?

Komal Sethi, an engineering student along nine others from Indira Gandhi Insutuite of Technology, Delhi, has designed an all-terrain vehicle keeping in mind that the pollution output is only 0.02 per cent. "Eco-friendly cars are the need of the hour. The market for such cars is of course less, but it would be growing in the near future. In fact, many new car models take into account the pollution control factor. The cars designed are hi-end and at the same time and they don't pollute the environment.

Hardeep Sekhon and his friends, all students of engineering, PU, checked out the Auto Mall thoroughly and this is what they have to share. "It is a big market, which will only grow in the coming times. However, youngsters have woken up to the fact that technology needs to go the green way. I guess we understand, what harm we are doing to the nature, and it's time to control it," says Hardeep adding that students of automobile engineering at least know that they need to design cars that can address to the problem of pollution of air."

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Song for the soul
SD SHARMA

An album of Hindustani instrumental classical music played by young maestro Salil Bhatt on satvik veena was released at a special function held by the Pracheen Kala Kendra recently. Kathak guru Shobha Koser and kendra secretary Sajal Koser welcomed the chief guest Rajbir Singh Deswal. Deswal urged the need for documenting the old and new classical music creations of great masters and the prodigious young virtuosos so that the new generation gets inspired to listen, evaluate and appreciate the treasure trove of our musical heritage.

Salil disclosed that among a dozen of his classical music creations and fusion works "Sopaan" is a rare blend of tranquil and thrilling melody. The album has two very popular ragas, nat bahirav and puriya dhanashri, embellished with amazing tabla performance by Ustad Mohammad Ahmed.

The artistes Salil Bhatt on satwik veena and Ankit Bhatt on sitar presented a melodious jugalbandi to the matching tabla accompaniment by Ustad Akram Khan to mark the celebration of 150th baithak programme of the Kendra. The trio bared the melody of raga jageshwari, created by legendary Pandit Ravi Shanker, dadaguru of Salil Bhatt. The raga was a combination of raga jog and rageshwari, explained Bhatt who enthralled the audience later after the ceremony.

Spice up
Potion for your scalp
Shahnaz Husain

Dandruff is a common scalp condition. In its mild form, it consists of loose white flakes, which fall off and may be noticed on the shoulders and back. Sometimes, the flakes may be yellowish in colour. Even mild dandruff can be accompanied by itching. Chronic or severe dandruff can trigger off a hair loss problem. Common dandruff usually consists of the dead cells that are shed by the scalp, to be replaced by new ones. This is a normal process, but there can be a build-up of dead cells on the scalp. Sometimes, the scales, along with oily secretions, tend to adhere to the scalp, which people commonly refer to as 'sticky dandruff'. Excessive oiliness of the scalp can also lead to clogging of the pores of the scalp, resulting in flakes or scaling.

When there is dandruff, usually the scalp is oily, while the hair is dry and dull. The build-up of cells and excessive secretion of sebum (the skin's natural oil) can occur due to hormonal activity, oily scalp, stress, use of some hair styling product, as well as faulty diet and lifestyle. Certain hair styling products or even harsh shampoos can upset the delicate acid-alkaline balance of the scalp, leading to dandruff and other problems. Exposure to chemical air pollutants can also have similar effects. In winter, due to lack of moisture, the scalp may become dry and flaky. This kind of dandruff is the loose kind, which does not stick to the scalp.

Hot oil therapy is a useful home treatment for common dandruff and also relieves dryness of the scalp during winter. Heat olive oil and apply on the scalp with cotton wool. Rub gently to dislodge the flakes. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Leave the oil on overnight. The next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash the hair after half an hour. This can be done once or twice a week.

The hair should be washed at least three times a week, using less shampoo and rinsing well with water. Use a mild herbal shampoo. We recommend the use of a herbal hair rinse. Or, half an hour before shampoo, apply two tablespoons vinegar on the scalp and massage it lightly into the scalp. After shampoo, add two tablespoons of the vinegar to a mug of water and use as a last rinse.

Home cures

Add 5 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil to 50 ml rose water. Shake well and keep in a glass bottle with a tight fitting lid. Apply this on the scalp after shampoo, using cotton wool and leave it on. Essential oils should never be used by themselves. - Grind one tablespoon of methi seeds coarsely and soak in two cups of cool water. Leave it overnight. Strain and use the water as a last rinse.

- Add two handfuls of neem leaves to four to five cups of hot water. Let it stand overnight. Next morning, strain the liquid and use it to rinse the hair. It relieves itching and keeps the scalp healthy and free from infections. It is useful in dandruff. Make a paste of the soaked neem leaves and apply on the scalp, rinsing off with water after half an hour.

z Weekly henna treatments are very useful in dandruff and general hair care. Add 4 teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, 2 raw eggs, one teaspoon methi seed powder and enough tea water to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. Tea water can be made by boiling used tealeaves again in enough water, cooling and straining the liquid. Apply henna on the hair and wash off after an hour. If you do not wish to use egg, add more tea water. This not only helps to remove dandruff, but conditions the hair, adding strength, body and shine to the hair.

In cases of severe dandruff, combs, brushes, pillow covers and towels should be washed daily, in hot soapy water, adding a few drops of an antiseptic solution.

Diet and lifestyle are an integral part of treating dandruff. Fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts and yogurt should be included in the daily diet. The diet should contain enough fibre. That is why it is important to have unprocessed and unrefined cereals. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Add the juice of a lemon to a glass of water and have it first thing in the morning. Some amount of daily exercise is also necessary. However, before adopting any diet or exercise programme, it is best to consult your doctor.

Swallowing a bitter pill
Think before you pop a tablet without consulting your physician. Things may go terribly wrong
Ashima Sehajpal

Medicine does not belong to experts only. A slight headache and we know what to take - disprin, ibruphin, saridon, anacin, the list is endless. Backache, stomachache, neck pain, muscle pain, treatments for every little problem are readily available over the counter. Pain relievers are a further bliss, just need to spray some and the pain vanishes the next moment. A pimple on the face and creams available on the counter are ample too. If such simple solutions are available, then why doctors don't approve of them? The next question is, how far can we rely on self-medication?

Dr Anju Huria, head of the department, Gynecology, says, "These medicines are called over the counter (OTC) because they can be taken without a doctor's prescription." However, going by the literal meaning of OTC, she adds a more vital point, "These are harmless only when taken once in a while. Regular consumption can lead to numerous health problems."

In India people prefer OTCs as they are easily available. As Dr Manoj Wadhwa, director, Orthopedics, Fortis, informs, "Worldwide, India has the maximum number of OTCs. In western countries, the only medicine that can be bought without a doctor's prescription is paracetamol. For the rest, a doctor's letter head is required." What makes the situation even vulnerable here is chemists have the authority to recommend medicine. Dr Huria raises a point, "Do people ever bother to check if the chemist has a degree in B.Pharma? Nobody checks it either, which gives people a free hand to open chemist shops."

She regrets the fact that in our country, a doctor is usually the last resort for people to get treatment. "Even well-educated people prefer home remedies and easily available medicines to cure problems, which complicate the health problems in the old age."

Reaction of OTCs may vary, depending on the medical history of the person. The most common drug for gastritis, diclosenac, if taken regularly can lead to complicated problems like ulcers or bleeding of intestines and at worse, renal failure. Dr Wadhwa adds, "Even light medicines, if doesn't suit someone, can lead to drowsiness and digestion problems. Heavy medication can be life threatening for people already suffering kidney and liver problems."

OTC skin creams are equally unsafe as well, though they don't affect the internal organs. "A certain cream will react differently on different skin types. Acne, pigmentation and itching are the most usual problems people come with after using such skin creams," informs Dr Ashima Goel, a city-based dermatologist. The result can be even worse in the form of contact dermatitis. "Skin creams from big brands can be harmful too. They shouldn't be used since all contents aren't mentioned either."

And why most of these creams don't show expected results is because they have contents in sub-clinical dose, "Which makes them so mild that they don't show any sign of improvement of the skin."

Next time you buy any OTC, do consider the wiser option of visiting a doctor.

ashima@tribunemail.com

BODY wise
Treading on the fertile ground
Sachin Kalra

When women become pregnant, they know they have to watch their diet. However, many women don't pay much attention to their diet before that happens, not realising that a healthy and nourishing diet can significantly boost their fertility and increase their chances of conceiving. Certain dietary changes need to be followed to ensure that the body gets the proper nutrition and conceiving is facilitated. What you eat or don't eat can determine whether you get pregnant or not. Modifying your diet just might be enough to start you on the road to motherhood.

Cut down on caffeine: Reduce caffeine consumption as it can lower your chances to conceive. It is a stimulant which leads to stress on the body and in turn effects a woman's menstrual cycle and delays conception. Caffeine also inhibits the body's ability to absorb vitamins. Also, too much caffeine has also been linked to miscarriages.

Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, energy drinks and some herbal products. Most professional experts agree that a low to moderate intake of caffeine (less than 300 mg a day or about the equivalent of three cups of coffee) on a daily basis will not impact reproduction process. However, if you are experiencing fertility problems, it is better to avoid caffeine altogether.

Avoid alcohol: It is best to avoid alcohol consumption, if you are planning to conceive. Alcohol not only affects your fertility but also increase the risk of fetal abnormalities. Drinking alcohol can reduce your fertility by half and the more you drink, the less likely you are to conceive. And, this includes all alcoholic beverages, from beer to champagne. As difficult as it may seem, you should eliminate alcohol from your diets for at least three months in order to give yourself the best possible chance of conceiving.
Say no to smoking: Smoking is strongly linked with infertility in women. It can even bring on an early menopause, which is a particularly important consideration for older women who want to remain fertile for as long as possible.
Limit the sugar: Sugar should also be used in limit or avoided, as it causes a rise in insulin, a hormone that affects other hormones that can lead to conception problems. And, once you do conceive, sugar needs to be limited to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, so think of avoiding sugar not only as a way to increase your chance of conceiving, but as preparation for a healthy pregnancy. Also, such foods lead to weight gain and it's a known fact that overweight women often struggle with infertility.
Soya dilemma: Although soya beans are certainly one of the super foods that are good to eat, overdoing them could present a problem when trying for a baby. Avoid eating too much soy. According to a study, a compound found in soy known as genistein has been found to impair sperm as they swim toward the egg. Genistein can be found in all soy-containing products.

Therefore avoiding soy around a woman's more fertile days of the month might actually aid conception.

Folic acid: Folic acid is a necessary ingredient for getting pregnant, staying pregnant and producing a healthy child. It is now known that folic acid can prevent spina bifida in your baby, and it is essential that you get plenty both before and during pregnancy. Most doctors recommend that women begin taking folic acid supplement prior to becoming pregnant and throughout pregnancy. Folic acid helps to stimulate the ovaries to produce and release eggs every month. Folic acid is found in dark green, leafy vegetables. It is also found in whole wheat bread, fortified cereal, asparagus, oranges, strawberries, cantaloupes and other melons.
Zinc: Increase the intake of food that has high zinc content, as lack of zinc in the body can lead to problems in conceiving. Zinc is necessary for your body to utilise efficiently the reproductive hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

Foods such as bread, cheese and meat are good sources of zinc and should be included in the daily diet for better results.

Antioxidants: Antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta-carotene all play a role in the prevention of birth defects. They also fight off dangerous free radicals and keep the body functioning at its optimum, which assists in hormone and egg production in women thus aiding conception.
Playing safe with fish: Although fish is generally very healthy, certain types are high in mercury, which can be dangerous to your unborn baby. Because mercury can accumulate in your body and linger there for more than a year, it's best to avoid high-mercury fish such as shark, swordfish and king mackerel, while you're trying to conceive. Instead, eat lower-mercury fish such as salmon or trout once or twice a week. If you are not too sure it's better to get your dose of healthy omega 3s from linseed or flaxseeds.
Full-fat dairy: Research has found that women who eat at least one portion of full-fat dairy product a day are significantly less likely to suffer from fertility problems that those who consistently go for low fat or non-dairy options. Dairy products are also a great source of calcium which is important in the development and maintenance of the nervous system, bones and blood. So, enjoy some fat for a change!

But try and compensate for the extra calories elsewhere in your diet.

kalrasachin@hotmail.com

Negatively charged

People with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) have abnormalities in the way their brain unconsciously controls emotions. That's the conclusion of a new Stanford University School of Medicine (SUSM) study, which could open up new avenues for treatments and change our perception of how emotion is regulated in everyday life.

GAD in particular is marked by extreme feelings of fear and uncertainty; people with the disorder live in a state of non-stop worry and often struggle getting through their daily lives.

"Patients experience anxiety and worry and respond excessively to emotionally negative stimuli, but it's never been clear really why," said Amit Etkin, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences, who led the study. For the study, Etkin recruited 17 people with GAD and 24 healthy participants and used functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) and a behavioural marker to compare what happened when the two groups performed an emotion-based task.

The task involved viewing images of happy or fearful faces, overlaid with the words "fear" or "happy," and using a button box to identify the expression of each face. Not all the words matched up - some happy faces featured the word "fear", and vice versa - which created an emotional conflict for participants.

In the current study, Etkin and his colleagues found that both healthy participants and GAD patients were able to identify the expressions. Healthy participants, as was expected, reacted more quickly to incongruent images when the previous image was also incongruent. — IANS

Beer with us

An addiction expert has branded a low-carb beer an "insidious health risk", adding that it does little to prevent a beer gut. Beers like Foster's Pure Blonde and Bluetongue's Bondi Blonde have become famous among dieters because of the drinks' low-carbohydrate credentials, says expert Dr Peter Miller.

But such beers should not be seen as a "healthy alternative" to full strength beer, he said.

"The recent rapid increase in popularity of low-carbohydrate beers in Australia may represent an insidious health risk," Dr Miller said. "The message should be made explicit - low-carb beers are not a healthy choice." According to the expert, the problem is that while the beers have lower carbohydrate levels they deliver almost the same energy load to the body as full strength beer.

Low-carb beers contain around 1.5 gm of carbohydrate per 100ml - about half that found in full strength beer.

But when it comes to overall kilojoules of energy delivered to the body, low carb is not far short of full strength beer.

"There is little, if any, difference in either the amount of alcohol or the total energy content of traditional and low carb beers," Dr Miller said.

Drinkers were "better off consuming low-strength beers in terms of both alcohol content and energy intake", he said.

The finding has been published in the Medical Journal of Australia. — ANI