Health and lifestyle

  FRUITS   Fruits are produced due to fertilization of the ovules; fertilized ovules become the seeds and the ripened or matured ovary becomes the fruit. Sometimes adjacent tissues together with the ovary form the fruit. Fruits are fleshy or pulpy in character often juicy and usually sweet with fragrant, aromatic flavors. Classification: Fruits are divided into groups depending upon the shape, cell structure, types of seed or natural habitat. One system classifies them into the following groups: berries, citrus fruits, drupes, grapes, melons, pomes, tropical and subtropical fruits.  Berries: Strawberries, gooseberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries.  Citrus fruits: Sweet limes, oranges, tangerines, sour oranges, lime, lemon, grape fruit.  Drupes: Apricot, sweet cherry, peach, plums.  Grapes: Green grapes, black grapes, seedless grapes. Melons: Musk melon, water melon.  Pomes: Apples, pears.    Tropical fruits: ...

Peptic ulcer   The term peptic ulcer is used to describe any localized erosion or disintegration of the mucosal lining that comes in contact with gastric juice.  Mostly the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum lining is affected and cause stomach and duodenal ulcers (peptic ulcers).  Peptic ulcers are one of the most serious forms of gastrointestinal disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.  Areas affected in peptic ulcer: Although theoretically, the entire gastrointestinal tract lining may be affected by ulcer, the following areas are the most affected-  1. Lower part of the oesophagus.  2. Stomach (especially the lesser curvature or antrum). 3. First portion of the duodenum, also called the duodenal bulb.  Actiology: Pepitc ulcer results when the neural and hormonal abnormality disrupts the factors that normally maintain mucosal integrity and permit proteolytic and acidic erosion of the mucosal tissue. Factors affecting mucosa:  Destructive Facto...

 Nutritional & Food Requirements for infants  Infancy is the time period of life from birth to 1 year of age. The first year of life is marked by rapid growth and cell division. Thus proper nutrition is needed that can support this 'growth spurt' . Body composition: At the time of birth the child has 75% water and 12-15% fat. By the end of 1 year the water content decreases to 60% and fat increases to 24%. Muscles also start developing.  Changes in the body: (a) Rapid heart rate of about 120-140 beats / min.  (b) Hemoglobin level in well nourished infants is about 17-20 gm / 100 ml  (c) Almost completely developed digestive system and so they are able to digest protein, emulsified fats and simple carbohydrates like lactose.  (d) Salivary secretion and gastric acidity are low till about 3 months.   (e) Salivary amylase secreted after 6 months and so rice and other starchy foods should be given after this period.  (f) Kidneys reach th...

Anemia- Iron deficiency disease  Anemia  is a condition in which the hemoglobin content of blood is lower than normal as a result of deficiency of one or more essential nutrients, or some other related causes. Anemia is the most common blood disorder, affecting about a third of the global population. Iron-deficiency anemia affects nearly 1 billion people. In 2013, anemia due to iron deficiency resulted in about 183,000 deaths – down from 213,000 deaths in 1990. It is more common in women than men, during pregnancy, and in children and the elderly. Anemia increases the costs of medical care and lowers a person's productivity through a decreased ability to work. Types of Anemia:  Anemia can be classified in various ways, the most common classification being the following: (A) Nutritional Anemia:  Nutritional anemia may be defined as the condition that results from the inability of the body to maintain a normal hemoglobin concentration on account of an inadequate supply...