LOSING WEIGHT REDUCE RISK HEART ATTACKS

OBESITY ALONE RAISES RISK OF 
FATAL HEART ATTACK, STUDY FINDS 

http://yourlife.usatoday.com - Obese men face a dramatically higher risk of dying from a heart attack, regardless of whether or not they have other known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, a new study reveals.  The finding stems from an analysis involving roughly 6,000 middle-aged men, and it suggests that there is something about carrying around excess weight that contributes to heart disease independent of risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and arterial disease.  What exactly that something is, however, remains unclear, although the researchers suggest that the chronic inflammation that typically accompanies significant weight gain might be the driving force behind the increased risk. 

“Obese, middle-aged men have a 60% increased risk of dying from a heart attack than non-obese middle-aged men, even after we cancel out any of the effects of cholesterol, blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors,” noted study author Jennifer Logue
 
Dr Logue is a clinical lecturer of metabolic medicine with the British Heart Foundation’s Cardiovascular Research Centre at the University of Glasgow, in Scotland. “This means (that) obesity itself may be causing fatal heart attacks through a factor that we have not yet identified.” 
The team confirmed the well-established theory that being obese is linked to a greater chance for having all of the classic risk factors linked to heart disease. Logue cautioned that further research is needed to confirm the findings, and to uncover the exact mechanism by which obesity itself is a risk factor for fatal heart attacks.

To explore the subject, Logue and her colleagues spent nearly 15 years tracking 6,082 male patients who were diagnosed with high cholesterol but had no history of either heart disease or diabetes. Even after ruling out relevant variables such as age and smoking history, the risk of death among obese men was still 75% higher than it was for non-obese men. “We need to find easier and more effective ways to help people lose weight and reduce the risk of fatal heart attacks,” Dr. Logue said. Western civilization should search into the ancient science of Yoga a viable solution to the serious problem of obesity.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Obesity is one of the biggest health problems of the modern age. It is the main cause for many serious, incurable and fatal diseases. Blood pressure, heart problem, diabetes and other dangerous diseases are caused due to obesity. It can be cured permanently with the intake of balanced food, proper life style and regular practice of yoga asanas. A few asanas very useful for overcoming obesity are: “Dwichakrikasana”, this is the best exercise to reduce weight in a very short time. It gives proper shape to the stomach, activates the intestines and cures constipation, dysentery, acidity etc. “Padvritasana”, it reduces the fat accumulated in the hips, thighs and waist and gives proper shape to the stomach. “Ardha Halasana”, it is especially useful to reduce weight. It makes the intestines flexible and healthy, increases the fire of the stomach and cures constipation, gas and obesity.

IndiaDivine.org :
“Yogic Remedy for Obesity”
Posted by The Editor - Published on 06-21-2010
http://www.indiadivine.org/articles/325-yogic-remedy-obesity.html

MEDITATION CAN REDUCE HEART ATTACKS BY 50 %

MEDITATION CAN REDUCE STRESS
AND LOWER RISK OF HEART DISEASE

http://www.thirdage.com - Meditation, specifically transcendental meditation (TM), has reportedly been shown to reduce heart attack-related deaths by up to 50 percent, a new study claims.  Researchers tracked 201 people as they underwent either Transcendental Meditation or health education classes as part of a stress-reduction approach, the New Zealand Herald reports.  They found that those who meditated had lower blood pressure and a 47% reduction in strokes, deaths and heart attacks, which they calculated together as one result.  
Between 1998 and 2007, study participants either engaged in meditation techniques for 20 minutes twice per day.  Alternatively, they spent the same amount of time practicing other heart-healthy lifestyle behaviors that they were taught in a cardiovascular health education program.

The results found that TM appears to reduce the risk of death, heart attack and stroke, while also lowering blood pressure and stress levels.  TM in those subjects was found to be far more effective than the actions of the control group, which practiced heart-healthy behavior.  
According to the researchers, African Americans have higher rates of Coronary Heart Disease-related illness and death, and that psychosocial stress might be a contributing factor.  The researchers theorized that the effects of a stress reduction intervention would help reduce CHD risk factors and perhaps prevent CHD-related morbidity and mortality.

Transcendental meditation (TM) is rooted in Indian culture, founded in the 1950s. It found widespread acceptance in the 1960s and 1970s, and has since become a technique of relaxation and spirituality. As a form of mantra meditation, TM technique helps the individual calm the mind and body.  This study shows that TM reduce the risk of death, heart attack and stroke, while also lowering blood pressure and stress levels far better than the control group which practiced traditional heart-healthy behavior.  We usually see that mantra meditation is use it to cope with health problems, but its deep meaning is not clearly understood.  

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?  

In the Gayatri Mantra, we are requested, bhargo devasya dhimahi: “come meditate.”  What sort of meditation is possible in that plane of dedication? Not abstract meditation, but service cultivation, krsnanusilanam.  Dhimahi means “to participate in the spontaneous flow, the current of devotion in Vrndavana.”  And what will be the result (dhiyo yo nah pracodayat)?  The capacity of our cultivation will be increased.  As we serve, a greater capacity and willingness to serve will be given to us in remuneration - just as interest is added to capital in the bank.  In this way, our dedicating principle will be increased again and again. Dhimahi means aradhana, worship. It cannot but be explained in terms of aradhana, puja, seva - worship, adoration, loving service.  So “dhimahi” does not mean abstract meditation, but devotional service. This is the underlying meaning of the Gayatri Mantra.

Śrīla Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Mahārāja :
“Gayatri Mantram Revealed From the Flute Song
of Krishna to Srimad Bhagavatam to Radha Dasyam”
Bhaktivedanta Memorial Library - http://bvml.org/SBRSM/gmr.html

INDIAN CONG REQUESTS RAMDEV TO GO SLOW ON FAST

INDIAN GOVERNMENT TRIES BABA RAMDEV
SUSPEND PROTEST AGAINST CORRUPTION

New Delhi (Reuters) - The government suffered a fresh blow on Thursday in containing growing anger over corruption from million of voters as leading civil activist Anna Hazare joined forces with influential yoga guru Swami Ramdev in a “fast-until-death” against graft.  The saffron-robed Ramdev, India’s most famous yoga guru, has pledged a hunger strike from Saturday to protest against corruption in Asia’s third-largest economy and called on his legions of followers to join him.   Ramdev will begin his fast on Saturday in New Delhi and has predicted that 10 million people will join his protest until the government agrees to pass an anti-corruption law and set up a task force for repatriating illegal funds held in foreign bank accounts by Indians.  Anna Hazare, whose highly-publicised fast in April, pledged his support on Thursday for Ramdev’s strike.

Ramdev, who turned an ancient spiritual tradition into a mass healing movement, runs a $40 million-a-year global yoga and health empire, has a daily TV show which attracts 30 million viewers, owns a Scottish island and says he can cure cancer.  Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh personally appealed to Ramdev to call off the protest.  Such is Ramdev’s popularity that some of India’s most powerful government ministers turned up at Delhi airport to greet him on Wednesday and persuade him to call off the strike. They failed and were forced to carry out a second day of talks.  Singh’s party has struggled to shake off a slew of corruption scandals, including the telecoms kickback scam that may have cost the government $39 billion, which have sparked public anger, hurt foreign investment and stymied economic reforms.

As India’s famous yoga guru, Swami Ramdev, has pledged a hunger strike starting Saturday to protest against corruption, the government is trying to convince him otherwise.  Ramdev will begin his fast in New Delhi and reports say 10 million people will join his protest until the government agrees to pass an anti-corruption law.  Vedic injunctions do not recommend fasting for some political purpose.  The Laws of Manu allow “prayopavesha” (fasting until death), but for spiritual purposes, in order to attain liberation, not for political or social purposes. 

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?  

There are persons who manufacture modes of austerity and penance which are not mentioned in the scriptural injunctions. For instance, fasting for some ulterior purpose, such as to promote a purely political end, is not mentioned in the scriptural directions. The scriptures recommend fasting for spiritual advancement, not for some political end or social purpose. ... Actually, they act out of pride, false ego, lust and attachment for material enjoyment. By such activities, not only is the combination of material elements of which the body is constructed disturbed, but also the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself living within the body. Such unauthorized fasting or austerities for some political end are certainly very disturbing to others. They are not mentioned in the Vedic literature.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“The Bhagavad-gītā As It Is”
Chapter 17: “The Divisions of Faith”
Verses 5-6.  -  Bhaktivedanta VedaBase

BRISK WALKING HELP MEN WITH PROSTATE CANCER

BRISK WALKING MAY PREVENT
RECURRENCE OF PROSTATE CANCER

http://topnews.us - For many years, doctors and researchers have been able to show that regular physical activity, including brisk walking, may reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and many other illnesses. Some studies have also shown that exercise may positively affect the disease outcomes for people with breast and colon cancer.  Now, scientists found that men who had been previously diagnosed with prostate cancer were nearly 60% less likely to need a second round of prostate cancer treatment if they walked briskly at least three miles per hour for at least three hours per week after diagnosis.  A study of 1,455 U.S. men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer has found a link between brisk walking and lowered risk of prostate cancer progression, according to scientists at the University of California and Harvard School of Public Health.
      
According to June Chan, the Steven and Christine Burd-Safeway Distinguished Professor at UCSF and senior author of the study, “Our work suggests that vigorous physical activity or brisk walking can have a benefit at the earlier stages of the disease”.  “The important point was the intensity of the activity the walking had to be brisk for men to experience a benefit.” “Our results provide men with prostate cancer something they can do to improve their prognosis,” said researchers.  
The findings of this study compliment previous research done by Chan that indicated that physical activity after diagnosis could reduce disease-related mortality in a distinct population of men with prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is a most common form of cancer after skin cancer among the men, particularly in the United States where more than 217,000 men are diagnosed with the lethal disease every year.  According to this new study the prostate cancer has a close association with brisk walking and marked that it significantly lowers the risk of prostate cancer progression.  In our body, destruction and construction go hand in hand.  But in Old age, the destruction overpowers the construction and the cellular functions of the body start deteriorating. 

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?  

Ayurveda is not merely a treatment path, but it is a science for a good and healthy lifestyle.  The two important aims of Ayurveda are prevention from the diseases in healthy individuals and treatment of the diseased. The first aim is given prime importance so that every individual can aim for a healthy and disease free, long life.  According to Ayurveda, the structural and functional destruction in the cells of the body leads to vitiation of vata dosha which is predominantly evidenced in old age.  That is why vata predominant disorders are profound in old age. ... Many disorders can be prevented by improving the daily routine, diet and regular walk and exercise.  Regular practice of Asanas and Pranayama improves the oxygenation of cells thus reducing its destruction.

RemedySpot.com
“Rejuvenating Mind, Body and Soul
in Old Age through Yoga and Ayurveda”
Written by Dr. Garima Bajaj - Published on 02-05-2011
http://www.remedyspot.com/articles/155-rejuvenating-mind-body-soul-old-age-through-yoga-ayurveda.html

EMPTY THE BRAIN’S TRASH IMPROVE MEMORY

“SPRING CLEAN” YOUR MIND
TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY

http://psychcentral.com/news/- Although memory loss is not a normal function of age, we often begin to forget things as we grow older.  New research suggests a reason may be that our brains are cluttered with irrelevant information.  Using a computer analogy, researchers believe we should defrag and empty our brain’s trash bins to improve cognitive performance.  Thirty individuals with an average age of 23 years old, and 30 individuals were an average age of 67 years old took part in the study.  They were asked to perform a working memory task, which included recalling and processing different pieces of information.   Researchers from Concordia University believe older individuals have reduced learning and memory because their minds tend to be cluttered with irrelevant information when performing tasks.

The study published in The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology offers new insights into why aging is associated with a decline in memory. For those who are having trouble remembering, Mervin Blair, a PhD student at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, suggested that focusing and reducing mental clutter can be done by stress-reduction techniques.  Reducing clutter from our brain is unfortunately more difficult than hitting the defrag button or clicking permanently delete for our trash, so he recommends keeping the brain in shape by performing activities that challenge and stimulate.  Activities to do this could include learning a new language, playing an instrument, completing crossword puzzles, keeping an active social life and exercising.

New research indicates older people are less able to process information - including remembering things - because their memories tend to be cluttered with masses of information.   “Basically, older adults are less able to keep irrelevant information out of their consciousness, which then impacts on other mental abilities,” said researcher Mervin Blair.  The Ayurvedic medicines made out of rasa (essence), bark, fruit, and leaves of different plants may appear to be useless, but they have the capacity to cure many incurable diseases to modern Western science. 

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?  

Ayurveda has the cure for all disease. It is a complete and approved system of medication.  Some important Yogic Remedies from Ancient Indian Scriptures:  (1.) 29th chapter of Agnipuran contains a medicine, which grants longevity to a person. According to the text, consuming 240 mg to 500 mg of Brahmi powder with milk every morning is very beneficial. It also increases the memory power.  (2.) Ayurvedic scriptures like Charaka and Sushruta say that consuming 3 gm of green vegetable soup (made form Brahmi) increases the memory power. Brahmi leaves are tasty just like the tamarind leaves.  (3.) Bhav Prakash includes the importance of Shankhpushpi for good memory.  Consuming 3 to 6 gm of Shankhpushpi powder with milk is extremely beneficial for increasing memory and improving the functioning of the brain and its overall development.

Remedy Spot.com
“How to Improve the Memory According to Ayurveda”
Published by the Editor on 11-23-2010 03:43 am
http://www.remedyspot.com/
http://www.remedyspot.com/articles/142-how-improve-memory-according-ayurveda.html