Beautiful Hair!

Hair needs good care because it is, in a way, neglected by the body. Not being as important as the heart, lungs, kidney, etc. -- it gets a meagre share of nutrients drawn from the blood, after all the vital organs have finished with it!

Hair is made up of a protein named keratin and, therefore, needs protein for growth. Certain foods have ample amounts of proteins, vitamins and trace minerals which nurture your hair adequately. Let us a take a look of some of them:

EGGS: A boon for the hair. it is a complete food in itself and comes well stocked with proteins, vitamins and minerals. The elements, vital for healthy hair growth,present in eggs are: Amino acids, along with large quantities of vitamin A (for hair growth and vitality) and vitamin B-2, D and E; and sulphur.

MILK: Don't miss out on this precious liquid that keeps the body, mind and hair in a fit condition. Milk and milk products that are beneficial for the hair are: Pure 'ghee', curd, cheese and cream. They contain vitamin A (which also protects the body and its organs from infection), sulphur, zinc (another trace element vital for hair growth) and vitamin B-2, a complete protein with built-in extra vitamins and minerals. Yoghurt ('dahi') has lactic acid and possesses vital nutrients and proteins. It has large amounts fof bacteria which neutralises the ill effects--such as hair fall--of antibiotics.

VEGETABLES: Now we all know why our mothers told us to finish off ALL the greens on our plates. Greens are chockful of goodness, that helps the hair enormously. Vitamin A (again) is present in spionach, lettuce, beet, carrots, turnips, cabbage and tomatoes. Vitamin B2 is found in green vegetables and tomatoes. Dark green vegetables such as spinach also have Vitamin b9 or folic acid, which prevents greying.

Other foods with vitamin B2 are almonds, nuts, citrus fruits and wheat germ. Vitamin A is also present in mangoes, papayas, apricots, prunes, peaches, almons and dry fruits. Sulphur is present in liver, whole grain and nuts. B9 or folic acid is present in mushrooms, nuts and liver.

Now on to things which we must avoid if we want to maintain a healthy head of hair

Run for your life when you see oily and greasy stuff. Say 'no' to junk foods., hamburgers, frankfurters, pastries and such like devilish delights. The grease, fat and sugar can only do harm, no good. Besides, because of the junk food, our body accumulates toxins which react adversely, hurting our system. Aerated drinks,too, have the same effect. Toxins lead to ill-health, which, naturally, will not help the hair. Have lots of milk and fresh vegetables to neutralise their effects and eat plenty of fresh fruits, preferably citrus.

Also, with the advice of a doctor, skip two meals a day once a week and eat only fruits, which will cleanse your system and eliminate the toxins from your body.

Yoga heart visualisation

Lie down with your body relaxed and eyes shut. Take your attention to each body part. Start with the right side, right hand and move down the torso. Do the same for the left side. Shift your attention to the torso, and then neck upwards. Then focus on your heart centre. Imagine you can feel the pumping motion of the heart. Link this to your breath, so both the breath and your hearbeat slow down owing to your awareness. Imagine the blood flowing smoothly through your body, without blocks. Imagine seeing the plaque fallin off, melting in this free-flowing blood. See gooey lums of fat disappearing from the vessels.

Keep this image clearly in your mind for some time.

Then, visualise yourself doing robust physical acts. Imagine people commenting on your stamina and cheerfulness. Keep this image of yourself in your mind for some time.

After some time, begin to externalise your awareness by shifting your attention to your breath, heartbeat, sounds in the room. Moving your hands and feet gently, roll over to sit up. Open your eyes. The entire visualisation should last 10 to 15 minutes.

EAT OATS!

**Over 40 studies show that eating oatmeal may help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. According to Quaker, all it takes is 3/4 cup of oatmeal each day to help lower cholesterol. The soluble fiber in oats helps remove LDL or "bad" cholesterol, while maintaining the good cholesterol that your body needs. In January 1997, the Food and Drug Administration announced that oatmeal could carry a label claiming it may reduce the risk of heart disease when combined with a low-fat diet.

**The soluble fiber in oatmeal absorbs a considerable amount of water which significantly slows down your digestive process. This result is that you'll feel full longer, i.e. oatmeal can help you control your weight.

**You probably already have oats in your kitchen. It's estimated that eighty percent of U.S. households currently have oats in their cupboards.

**New research suggests that eating oatmeal may reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. In fact, the American Diabetes Association already recommends that people with diabetes eat grains like oats. The soluble fiber in these foods help to control blood glucose levels.

**With the exception of certain flavored varieties, the oats found in your grocery store are 100% natural. If you look at the ingredients on a canister of rolled oats, you will usually see only one ingredient... rolled oats.

**According to recent studies, a diet that includes oatmeal may help reduce high blood pressure. The reduction is linked to the increase in soluble fiber provided by oatmeal. Oats contain more soluble fiber than whole wheat, rice or corn.

**Oatmeal contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is a good source of protein, complex carbohydrates and iron.

**The fiber and other nutrients found in oatmeal may actually reduce the risk for certain cancers.
**Oatmeal is quick and convenient. Every type of oatmeal can be prepared in a microwave oven. Even when cooked on the stovetop, both old-fashioned and quick oats can usually be made in less than 10 minutes. And what about instant oatmeal… a hot breakfast in under a minute... incredible!

**Oatmeal can be absolutely delicious! Whether instant, cooked on the stove or baked in the oven, the combination of flavors you can fit into a serving of oatmeal is limited only by the imagination

Tips!!

**Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Go for brisk walks of 30 to 45 minutes every day.

**A diet rich in fruits, salads and proteins is recommended. Avoid fried, oily, fatty and junk foods and sweets.

**Even simple physical activity like doing household chores can keep obesity at bay.

OBESE

The term obesity implies a disease of excessive accumulation of body fat. The emphasis is on 'disease' and 'body fat', not excess weight. You may be overweight byt you may not be obese-yet. In order to find the level at which excess weight becomes harmful, it is necessary to quantify obesity. The best way to do this is to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilogrammes wioth the square of their height in metres.

Once you have calculated your BMI, you can then compare the value against the standard Asian BMI guidelines to know if you are overweight, obese or just normal

Below 18: Undernourished

18-22: Average

23-27: Overweight

28-37: Obese

>37: Morbidly obese

However, a person with a BMI of more than 28 is obese and likely to suffer from related ill effects.