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Tinnitus remedies, tinnitus cures, tinnitus breakthroughs! If you deal with noise in your ears every day and the pain that accompanies it, those headlines are very exciting. In the meantime let’s find a tinnitus supplement that offers relief.

One of the causes of tinnitus can be high blood pressure or arteriosclerosis which is due many times to dietary problems. If you’re eating a lot of red meat, refined flours and sugars, it’s probable that your arteries are tightening and your body is somewhat stressed.

If you can reduce your intake of saturated fats, vegetable shortening and butter or margarine, you may notice a drop in the roaring noises in your ears. Sugar also increases tinnitus by increasing the release of adrenalin and lowering the circulation to your inner ear.

Is there such a thing as a tinnitus supplement? Not exactly, but research and testing have shown that many nutritional supplements have given people suffering from tinnitus different degrees of help. No matter what the cause of your tinnitus, supplements will give you some relief from the ringing of ears that you experience daily.

Vitamin B

1. Research has shown that 50 mgs. Of B6 2 or 3 times a day has a stabilizing effect on the fluids in your ears. Studies have also found that a high number of people with tinnitus are low in Vitamin B-12. It’s recommended to take 6 mcg of B-12 daily.

Vitamin A

2. Vitamin A has been found to be critical for ear membranes and a deficiency can result in inner ear problems. Supplementing your diet with 5,000-10,000 IU daily could be helpful. Foods high in Vitamin A are fish, yellow vegetables, oranges, cantaloupe and carrots.

Vitamin E

3. Vitamin E is known to be important for increasing the amount of oxygen that’s carried to your body cells. Increased oxygen flow to the brain and inner ear is important for healing to take place. Vitamins can be taken as a daily supplement or vitamin E is found in fish, eggs, whole grains and leafy green vegetables.

Ginkgo biloba

4. Ginkgo biloba is believed by many nutritionists to improve circulation and especially seems to be specific to the brain. It’s used by many to improve memory and has been found to give those with tinnitus relief from the noises they hear every day.

Zinc

5. New research has shown that high doses of zinc has helped those with tinnitus and hearing loss. A maximum dose would be 80 milligrams daily. Foods high in zinc are whole grain cereals, nuts, eggs, fish and especially oysters.

A tinnitus supplement can be helpful in relieving the symptoms of ringing in the ears. Supplements are a key in the program I’m using to remedy my tinnitus. The program gives specific directions as to taking supplements and details other natural, holistic techniques which are working for me. Read more about this very effective program at http://www.lifewithouttinnitus.info

Ayurveda is science of knowledge that balances the life through diet. According to ayurveda everything is associated with our body type and the diet we take. Any disbalance in this may lead to problems. So to stay fit in life you must have a proper routine. Follow the simple steps of ayurveda for good health and healthy life.

Wake up with the sun to stay fit. Brush your teeth and massage your teeth and gums with sesame oil. After this drink a glass of warm water. Empty your bladder and bowels to release toxics and waste from the body. Massage body with warm oil (pitta:coconut, vata:sesame, kapha: almond). After 30 mins take bath. Do yoga and meditation and eat healthy breakfast.

Take your lunch between 12 to 1 PM. Sit quietly for at least 5 mins after the lunch. After this take about 108 steps of brisk walk. This will help in easy digestion of food.

Meditate before the sun sets. Take your dinner between 6-7 PM.

Do not watch TV for a long time at night and avoid any kind of mental stress like fight or action during this time. Go to bed before 10 PM. Your sleeping time and the last meal must have the difference of at least 3 hours.

Drink warm water through out the day. It is actually the frequency of the water that matters a lot rather than quantity. You should take small amount of water after every hour or half an hour.
Do any sort of exercise daily to stay healthy. But do not over exert yourself. After each sternous exercise it is important to have relaxing exercise as per ayurveda health tips.
You body will be rejuvenated with the oil massage. Get the daily oil massage. If this is not possible then take the body oil massage on your holiday. This has the soothing effect on your vata.
Ayurvedic massage /ayurvedic-massages/ is important for the body, skin and mind as many harmful chemicals are released after this.
Ayurveda general health tips also forced to take the simple and relaxed meal for good health.
Eat when you are actually hungry.
Do not read or watch TV while eating. Just sit calmly and in a relaxing posture while eating your food.
Do not skip breakfast and avoid heavy food at night.
As far as possible eat fresh food.
You must go with the cleansing of your body at every season change. This is done by skipping the regular food. During this period very light diet with lots of hot water is recommended. This increases the digestive power.
Apart from all exercises and food one must take a sound sleep. If you are unable to take the sound sleep then ayurveda general health tips recommends you to take warm water bath, body massage with ayurvedic oil, light food in evening, listening to very light and calming music. As per ayurveda health tips one must go to bed before 10 PM.

Read Ayurvedic Beauty Tips

Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels (1). It is also a fundamental step in the transition of tumors from a dormant state to a malignant one. The identification of an angiogenic diffusible factor derived from tumors was made initially by Greenblatt and Shubik in 1968 (2). Angiogenesis is a process controlled by certain chemicals produced in the body, some of these chemicals stimulate cells to repair damaged blood vessels or form new ones. Other chemicals, called angiogenesis inhibitors, signal the process to stop.

The modern clinical application of the principle of angiogenesis can be divided into two main areas: anti -angiogenic therapies, which angiogenic research began with, and pro-angiogenic therapies. Whereas antiangiogenic therapies are being employed to fight cancer and malignancies (3), which require an abundance of oxygen and nutrients to proliferate, pro-angiogenic therapies are being explored as options to treat cardiovascular diseases. One of the first applications of pro-angiogenic methods in humans was a German trial using fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) for the treatment of coronary artery disease (4). Clinical research in therapeutic angiogenesis is ongoing for a variety of atherosclerotic diseases, like coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, wound healing disorders, etc. (5).

Also, regarding the mechanism of action, pro-angiogenic methods can be differentiated into three main categories: gene-therapy, targeting genes of interest for amplification or inhibition; protein-therapy, which primarily manipulates angiogenic growth factors like FGF-1 or vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF; and cell-based therapies, which involve the implantation of specific cell types. There are still serious, unsolved problems related to gene therapy. Difficulties include effective integration of the therapeutic genes into the genome of target cells, reducing the risk of an undesired immune response, potential toxicity, immunogenicity, inflammatory responses, and oncogenesis related to the viral vectors used in implanting genes and the sheer complexity of the genetic basis of angiogenesis. The most commonly-occurring disorders in humans, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, are most likely caused by the combined effects of variations in many genes, and, thus, injecting a single gene may not be significantly beneficial in such diseases (1).

Because tumors cannot grow or spread without the formation of new blood vessels, scientists are trying to find ways to stop angiogenesis. They are studying natural and synthetic angiogenesis inhibitors, also called antiangiogenic agents, in the hope that these chemicals will prevent or slow down the growth of cancer by blocking the formation of new blood vessels.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved bevacizumab (Avastin) for use with other drugs to treat colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, some non-small cell lung cancers, and some breast cancers that have spread to other parts of the body. Bevacizumab was the first angiogenesis inhibitor proven to delay tumor growth and, more importantly, extend the lives of patients. This monoclonal antibody, sold as Avastin by South San Franscisco-based Genentech, was approved in 2004 for treating colon cancer in combination with chemotherapy. It has since been approved in the US and elsewhere for other uses, and on 31st March, 2009 an advisory committee for glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer for which few other treatment are available. The FDA also approved other drugs with antiangiogenic activity as cancer therapies for multiple myeloma, mantle cell lymphoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and kidney cancer. Researchers are also exploring the use of these drugs to treat other cancers (6).

Since 2004, two other angiogenesis inhibitors have been approved in markets worldwide: sunitinib, sold as Sutent by Pfizer, for use in advanced kidney cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and sorafenib, sold as Nexavar by Bayer, for use in lung, melanoma and pancreas cancer. Both are small-molecule drugs that target kinases, in particular vascular factor, or VEGF, which is also targeted by bevacizumab. Many more such compounds are in late-stage clinical trials (7).

A growing body of research indicates that a protein called galectin-3 promotes angiogenesis, indicating that it may be a valuable target for drugs that halt harmful blood vessel growth. N. Panjwani, a professor in the department of ophthalmology at Tufts University School of Medicine and a member of the biochemistry and cell, molecular and development biology program faculties at the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Science, found that galectin-3 protein binds to glycans (carbohydrate portions) of specific cell-adhesion proteins, the integrins, to activate the signaling pathways that bring about angiogenesis. This improved understanding may provide a more targeted approach to preventing harmful angiogenesis. She observed that application of a galectin-3 inhibitor significantly reduced angiogenesis in mice, and preventing galectin-3 from binding with integrins reduced angiogenesis (8).

Angiogenesis inhibitors usually have only mild side effects and are not toxic to most healthy cells. Tumors do not seem to develop a resistance to angiogenesis inhibitors, even when given over a long period of time, unlike the resistance seen when chemotherapy drugs are used. Angiogenesis inhibitors seem to help some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy work more effectively when given in combination.       

Cancer cells are cells that have lost their ability to divide in a controlled fashion. A tumor consists of a population of rapidly dividing and growing cancer cells. Mutations rapidly accrue within the population. These mutations (variation) allow the cancer cells (or sub-populations of cancer cells within a tumor) to develop drug resistance and escape therapy. Tumors cannot grow beyond a certain size, generally 1– 2 mm3, due to a lack of oxygen and other essential nutrients. Tumors induce blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) by secreting various growth factors (e.g. VEGF). Growth factors such as bFGF and VEGF can induce capillary growth into the tumor, which some researchers suspect supply required nutrients, allowing for tumor expansion. In 2007, it was discovered that cancerous cells stop producing the anti-VEGF enzyme PKG. In normal cells (but not in cancerous ones), PKG apparently limits beta-catenin, which solicits angiogenesis (1). Other clinicians believe angiogenesis really serves as a waste pathway, taking away the biological end products secreted by rapidly dividing cancer cells. In either case, angiogenesis is a necessary and required step for transition from a small harmless cluster of cells, often said to be about the size of the metal ball at the end of a ball -point pen, to a large tumor. Angiogenesis is also required for the spread of a tumor, or metastasis.

Single cancer cells can break away from an established solid tumor, enter the blood vessel, and be carried to a distant site, where they can implant and begin the growth of a secondary tumor. Evidence now suggests the blood vessel in a given solid tumor may, in fact, be mosaic vessels, composed of endothelial cells and tumor cells. This mosaicity allows for substantial shedding of tumor cells into the vasculature, possibly contributing to the appearance of circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with malignancies (1). The subsequent growth of such metastases will also require a supply of nutrients and oxygen and a waste disposal pathway.

Endothelial cells have long been considered genetically more stable than cancer cells. This genomic stability confers an advantage to targeting endothelial cells using antiangiogenic therapy, compared to chemotherapy directed at cancer cells, which rapidly mutate and acquire ‘drug resistance’ to treatment. For this reason, endothelial cells are thought to be an ideal target for therapies directed against them. Recent studies by Klagsbrun, et al. have shown, however, that endothelial cells growing within tumors do carry genetic abnormalities. Thus, tumor vessels have the theoretical potential for developing acquired resistance to drugs. This is a new area of angiogenesis research being actively pursued.

Two independent studies published in the journal Nature in 2010 (1) November confirmed the ability of tumors to make their own blood vessels. When one group found that tumor stem cells could make their own blood vessels and avastin could not inhibit their early differentiation, the other group showed that selective targeting of endothelial cells generated by tumor-derived stem cells in mouse xenografts resulted in tumor reduction (1). These studies done in glioblastoma model may have implications in other tumors.

Angiogenesis inhibitor therapy may not necessarily kill tumors, but instead may keep tumors stable. Therefore, this type of therapy may need to be administered over a long period. Because angiogenesis is important in wound healing and in reproduction, long-term treatment with antiangiogenic agents could cause problems with bleeding, blood clotting, heart function, the immune system, and the reproductive system (6).

A patient’s immune system may be compromised, making the patients more susceptible to infection and causing wounds to heal poorly, if at all. Patients may experience reproductive problems, and damage to the fetus is likely if a patient becomes pregnant while taking the antiangiogenic drug. Heart problems and high blood pressure could be made worse and bleeding or blood clots could increase (6). Since angiogenesis inhibitor therapy is still under investigation, all of the possible complications and side effects are still unknown.

Other angiogenesis inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials (research studies) but have not yet been shown to be effective against cancer in humans. If these angiogenesis inhibitors are proven to be safe and effective in treating human cancer, they may be approved by the FDA and made available for widespread use. The clinical trials are in the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) clinical trial database at on the Internet. The researchers hope that their studies will eventually lead to better angiogenesis inhibitors, the fact remains that every previous cancer ‘breakthrough’- be it a targeted or a marker for early detection- has also hit roadblocks.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiogenesis

Greenblatt M, Shubik, P, J.Natl Cancer Inst. 41: 111-124 (1968).
Folkman, J. Scientific American, 275 (3): 150-154 (1996).
Stegmann, TJ, et al. Herz, 25 (6): 589-599 (2000).
Wagoner, L E, et al. Circulation, 116: 443 (2007).

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/angiogenesis-inhibitors.

Hayden,E.C. Nature, 458: 686-687 (2009).

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816110417.htm

 

Two types of retrovirus (HIV 1 and HIV 2) were known to cause AIDS worldwide; predominantly HIV 1.transmission in both could be by sexual contact, transfusion of blood or blood products, contact with sharp objects and vertically from mother to child. However, HIV 2 is transmitted less early and has a longer period between infection and development of AIDS [i]. Worldwide, more than fifty million children under 18 years have been orphaned due to AIDS, more that twelve million of these children leave in sub-Sahara Africa [ii].

The concept of orphan varies from one cultural context to another but refers to children (age 0-14) whose either or both parents have died [iii]. The age of orphan is fairly constant across countries with 15% being 0-4 years old, 35% 5-9 years old and 50% 10-14 years old [iv] .The vulnerability of children to health and social mishaps increase long before the death of their parents or guardians. Children watch their parents deteriorate and eventually die. They are often confronted with loss of family identity, increased malnutrition, reduced education opportunity, exploitative child labour and child abuse, and increased susceptibility to HIV infection [v]

Inconsistent findings in nutritional status of orphan and other children make vulnerable by HIV/AIDS make it difficult to assess if orphaned and other vulnerable children have specific nutritional needs separate from invulnerable children [vi] .Malnutrition and HIV have similar deleterious effect on the immune system [vii] . In both malnutrition and HIV, there is reduced CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocytes [viii], delayed cutaneous sensitivity, reduced bactericidal properties [ix] and impaired serological response after immunizations [x]..HIV/AIDS have a detrimental impact on household food security and nutrition in endemic areas. Household problems start as soon as the first adult become sick which results in a decline or loss in the productive capacity of individuals and households, decline or complete loss of household incomes  [xi].

Concurrently, there is increase in household expenses as a result of increase health care costs [xii] .Household assets are often sold to offset there effects resulting in more poverty and more food insecurity [xiii]. Children might be forced to discontinue their schooling due to household engagements and inability to afford school expenses.

Thus, food assistance can have multiple objectives in supporting food-insecure households and this can enable them to participate in treating or preventing malnutrition [xiv]. Linking participation in food assistance program with nutrition education and skills training can foster self reliance [xv]

 

 

 

Fifty HIV/AIDS orphaned children whose parents were attending Sagamu Community Centre (a non-governmental organization) were used for the study. The children were all screened for HIV/AIDS and they were all non-reactive (seronegative). The control group comprises of fifty children who were not orphaned, selected randomly amongst the 1,495 people that attended the centre during the period of this study. They were all HIV negative

Structured questionnaire were administered to the parents of the children in the control group as well as guardians of the orphaned children to obtain additional information on their nutritional status. Certain anthropometrics measures were taken to assess the nutritional status; these include height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference, and the head circumference. The BMI was computed in both the orphaned and non-orphaned children.

Five millilitres of blood were aseptically collected from both the subjects and the control group with minimum stasis, using pyrogen-free needles and disposable plastic syringes. Two millilitres of the collected blood was put in an EDTA bottle for the determination of haemoglobin concentration while the remaining three millilitres was dispensed into heparinized bottle for the determination of total protein, albumin, calcium, and phosphate levels.

Serum haemoglobin was determined by standard method [xvi] other parameters were estimated as described  total protein [xvii], albumin [xviii], calcium [xix] and phosphate [xx] in both subject and control groups. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 10.0 chi-square was used to determine differences between the subject and control groups.

 

 

 

 

Table 1 shows anthropometric measurements of the subjects and the control. There was no significant difference in the anthropometric measurements the subjects and the control (p>0.05)   Significant difference in the height for age which is a measure of stunted growth was observed between the orphan and control (p<0.05), but no significant difference in weight for age and weight for height. (Table 2).

Table 3 shows mean concentration of haemoglobin, total protein, albumin, calcium phosphate and globulin. Significant difference in mean between the orphan and control (p<0.05) was observed for all parameters

Table 4 shows type of nutrition taken for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in both orphan and control group. 3.8% of orphan did not take breakfast, 77.3% of breakfast meal was carbohydrate while .protein was 18.9%. 82.0% of lunch meal was carbohydrate while .protein was 18.0%, 85.5% of breakfast meal was carbohydrate while .protein was 14.5%

Table 5 reveals Mean body mass index in stratified age groups in subjects and controls There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the age groups < 6 years, 7 – 11 and > 12 years of subjects compared to the control groups.

From the data obtained, it was observed that paternal orphan was the commonest (60%), while double orphan was the least (4%), maternal orphan constitute only 36%. The sponsorship of education of the orphans was done mainly by their mothers (50%), while sponsorship by the father and other relatives constitute 26% and 16% respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nutritional status in children, are usually assessed by determining their weight, height, head circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference. Values obtained that are below the normal range for individual age group is considered to reflect a malnutrition state. Lack of social support for orphan from family members as a result of stigmatization and discrimination contribute to reduced food availability and hence inadequate dietary intake by orphans

There were no significant differences observed in the anthropometrics between the orphaned and non-orphaned children. However, there were significant differences in their plasma levels of hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium and inorganic phosphate. These biochemical parameters were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in orphaned children than non-orphaned children. The reduction in the above parameters amongst orphan children is a reflection of the poor nutritional status exhibited by the orphaned children in comparison to non-orphaned children.

Households affected by HIV/AIDS are usually confronted by severe decline in food availability (qualitatively and quantitatively) or food insecurity due to complete loss of the socio-economic contributions of either or both of their parents. The necessary home needs of such orphaned children are catered for by the grandparents or often by the guardians, who also have their immediate family to take care of.

The stunted growth observed in these orphans might contribute to further stigmatization and discrimination by fellow community people. Most times, the orphans with stunted growth are often tagged HIV/AIDS infected individuals, after all both malnutrition and HIV/AIDS have similar presentation. In this situation, a diet rich in protein, energy, micronutrients especially vitamin A is essential to bring about drastic changes in the health and physical appearances of such orphans.

The significantly low globulin level (p < 0.05) in the orphans measures the immune status. It suggests that there are some degrees of immunosuppression in the orphaned children and they are thus vulnerable to multiple infections. The decreased immunity associated with malnutrition lead to increased susceptibility to infections (including HIV infection) which in turn lead to increased nutrient requirements. If these requirements are not adequately met, it may lead to more malnutrition state. As HIV/AIDS prone orphans to malnutrition, malnutrition makes orphan susceptible to HIV/AIDS.

 

 

 

[i] HIV/AIDS care and treatment: In a clinical course for people caring for persons living with HIV/AIDS ,2003;  pp 24.

 

[ii] UNIAIDS: Report on the global AIDS epidemic, chapter 4, the impact of AIDS on people and societies, 2006.

 

[iii] Hunter,S. and Williamson,J.: Children on the brink;Strategies to Support Children Isolated

by HIV/AIDS,Arlindton, Virgina, 2002.

 

[iv] Monasch, J. and Ties Boerma: Orphanhood and child care patterns in sub-Saharan Africa. An analysis of National Surveys from 40 countries. AIDS 18 (suppl. 2); 2004;. Pg 555-565

 

[v] De Wagt, A. and Conndly, M.: Orphan and the impact of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Food nutrition and agriculture 2005; 34;pg 24-31

 

[vi] Rivers, J, Silverstre,E., Mason,J.: Nutritional and Food Security Status of orphans and vulnerable children, report of  a research supported by UNICEF, IFPRI, and WFP, 2004.

 

[vii] Piwoz, E.G.: Nutrition and HIV/AIDS; evidence, gaps and priority actions, 2004.

 

[viii] Suttajit,M.: Advances in nutrition support for quality of life in HIV/AIDS, Asia Pac. J Clin. Nutr. 2007; 16, suppl., pp318-322,

 

[ix] Beisel,W.R.: Nutrition and immune function; overview. Nutri. 1996; 126, pg 26115-26155

 

[x] Kroon,F.P.,van Dissel,J.T.,de Jong, J.C., and van Forth,R.: Antibody response to influenza,

tetanus, and pneumococcal vaccines in HIV-seropositive individuals in relation to the

 

[xi] Gillespie, S. and Kadayila,S.: HIV/AIDS and food nutrition security, from evidence in action, food policy review no 7, Washington, DC,IFPRI,2005.

 

[xii] Alban, A. and Anderson, N.B.: Putting it together; AIDS and the millennium development goals, 2005

 

[xiii]  Barnett,A. and Rugalema,G.: HIV/AIDS, International Food Policy Research Institute,2020 focus no 05, brief no 09, Washington, DC, IFPRI,2001.

 

[xiv] Grant, F.: Nutrition interventions for PLWHAs and the use of Ready-to-use Therapeutic Foods, presentation at the FANTA project, academy for Educational Development, Washington, DC, 2006.

[xv] Greenaway, K. Greenblott,K.,Hagens,K.: Targeted Food Assistance in the context of HIV/AIDS, Gauteny, South Africa; consortium for southern Africa Food Security Emergency(C-SAFE) learning centre,2004.

 

[xvi]  Kayira,K., Greenaway, K., Greenblott, K: Food for assents; adopting programming to an HIV/AIDS context, Gauteny, South Africa; consortium for southern Africa Food Security Emergency(C-SAFE) learning centre,2004.

 

[xvii] Dacie JV & Lewis SM  Practical Haematology, p 10. London.

ChurchillLivingstone  (1984

 

[xviii]  Gornall AG, Bardwill CJ, David M.M: Determination of serum proteins by

means of the biuret reaction. J Biol Chem 1949; 177: 751-756.

 

[xix] Doumas B.T., Watson W.A and Biggs H.G: Albumin standards and the measurement of serum albumin with bromcresol green. Clin. Chim. Acta 1971; 31: 87.

 

[xx] Stern J. and Lewis W.H.P: The colorimetric estimation of calcium in serum with o-cresolphthalein Complexone. Clin. Chim. Acta 1957; 2: 576

 

[xxi] Fiske C. H. and SubbaRow Y:. The colorimetric determination of phosphorus. J.Biol.Chem. 1925; 66: 375

Two types of retrovirus (HIV 1 and HIV 2) were known to cause AIDS worldwide; predominantly HIV 1.transmission in both could be by sexual contact, transfusion of blood or blood products, contact with sharp objects and vertically from mother to child. However, HIV 2 is transmitted less early and has a longer period between infection and development of AIDS [i]. Worldwide, more than fifty million children under 18 years have been orphaned due to AIDS, more that twelve million of these children leave in sub-Sahara Africa [ii].

The concept of orphan varies from one cultural context to another but refers to children (age 0-14) whose either or both parents have died [iii]. The age of orphan is fairly constant across countries with 15% being 0-4 years old, 35% 5-9 years old and 50% 10-14 years old [iv] .The vulnerability of children to health and social mishaps increase long before the death of their parents or guardians. Children watch their parents deteriorate and eventually die. They are often confronted with loss of family identity, increased malnutrition, reduced education opportunity, exploitative child labour and child abuse, and increased susceptibility to HIV infection [v]

Inconsistent findings in nutritional status of orphan and other children make vulnerable by HIV/AIDS make it difficult to assess if orphaned and other vulnerable children have specific nutritional needs separate from invulnerable children [vi] .Malnutrition and HIV have similar deleterious effect on the immune system [vii] . In both malnutrition and HIV, there is reduced CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocytes [viii], delayed cutaneous sensitivity, reduced bactericidal properties [ix] and impaired serological response after immunizations [x]..HIV/AIDS have a detrimental impact on household food security and nutrition in endemic areas. Household problems start as soon as the first adult become sick which results in a decline or loss in the productive capacity of individuals and households, decline or complete loss of household incomes  [xi].

Concurrently, there is increase in household expenses as a result of increase health care costs [xii] .Household assets are often sold to offset there effects resulting in more poverty and more food insecurity [xiii]. Children might be forced to discontinue their schooling due to household engagements and inability to afford school expenses.

Thus, food assistance can have multiple objectives in supporting food-insecure households and this can enable them to participate in treating or preventing malnutrition [xiv]. Linking participation in food assistance program with nutrition education and skills training can foster self reliance [xv]

 

 

 

Fifty HIV/AIDS orphaned children whose parents were attending Sagamu Community Centre (a non-governmental organization) were used for the study. The children were all screened for HIV/AIDS and they were all non-reactive (seronegative). The control group comprises of fifty children who were not orphaned, selected randomly amongst the 1,495 people that attended the centre during the period of this study. They were all HIV negative

Structured questionnaire were administered to the parents of the children in the control group as well as guardians of the orphaned children to obtain additional information on their nutritional status. Certain anthropometrics measures were taken to assess the nutritional status; these include height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference, and the head circumference. The BMI was computed in both the orphaned and non-orphaned children.

Five millilitres of blood were aseptically collected from both the subjects and the control group with minimum stasis, using pyrogen-free needles and disposable plastic syringes. Two millilitres of the collected blood was put in an EDTA bottle for the determination of haemoglobin concentration while the remaining three millilitres was dispensed into heparinized bottle for the determination of total protein, albumin, calcium, and phosphate levels.

Serum haemoglobin was determined by standard method [xvi] other parameters were estimated as described  total protein [xvii], albumin [xviii], calcium [xix] and phosphate [xx] in both subject and control groups. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 10.0 chi-square was used to determine differences between the subject and control groups.

 

 

 

 

Table 1 shows anthropometric measurements of the subjects and the control. There was no significant difference in the anthropometric measurements the subjects and the control (p>0.05)   Significant difference in the height for age which is a measure of stunted growth was observed between the orphan and control (p<0.05), but no significant difference in weight for age and weight for height. (Table 2).

Table 3 shows mean concentration of haemoglobin, total protein, albumin, calcium phosphate and globulin. Significant difference in mean between the orphan and control (p<0.05) was observed for all parameters

Table 4 shows type of nutrition taken for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in both orphan and control group. 3.8% of orphan did not take breakfast, 77.3% of breakfast meal was carbohydrate while .protein was 18.9%. 82.0% of lunch meal was carbohydrate while .protein was 18.0%, 85.5% of breakfast meal was carbohydrate while .protein was 14.5%

Table 5 reveals Mean body mass index in stratified age groups in subjects and controls There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the age groups < 6 years, 7 – 11 and > 12 years of subjects compared to the control groups.

From the data obtained, it was observed that paternal orphan was the commonest (60%), while double orphan was the least (4%), maternal orphan constitute only 36%. The sponsorship of education of the orphans was done mainly by their mothers (50%), while sponsorship by the father and other relatives constitute 26% and 16% respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nutritional status in children, are usually assessed by determining their weight, height, head circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference. Values obtained that are below the normal range for individual age group is considered to reflect a malnutrition state. Lack of social support for orphan from family members as a result of stigmatization and discrimination contribute to reduced food availability and hence inadequate dietary intake by orphans

There were no significant differences observed in the anthropometrics between the orphaned and non-orphaned children. However, there were significant differences in their plasma levels of hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium and inorganic phosphate. These biochemical parameters were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in orphaned children than non-orphaned children. The reduction in the above parameters amongst orphan children is a reflection of the poor nutritional status exhibited by the orphaned children in comparison to non-orphaned children.

Households affected by HIV/AIDS are usually confronted by severe decline in food availability (qualitatively and quantitatively) or food insecurity due to complete loss of the socio-economic contributions of either or both of their parents. The necessary home needs of such orphaned children are catered for by the grandparents or often by the guardians, who also have their immediate family to take care of.

The stunted growth observed in these orphans might contribute to further stigmatization and discrimination by fellow community people. Most times, the orphans with stunted growth are often tagged HIV/AIDS infected individuals, after all both malnutrition and HIV/AIDS have similar presentation. In this situation, a diet rich in protein, energy, micronutrients especially vitamin A is essential to bring about drastic changes in the health and physical appearances of such orphans.

The significantly low globulin level (p < 0.05) in the orphans measures the immune status. It suggests that there are some degrees of immunosuppression in the orphaned children and they are thus vulnerable to multiple infections. The decreased immunity associated with malnutrition lead to increased susceptibility to infections (including HIV infection) which in turn lead to increased nutrient requirements. If these requirements are not adequately met, it may lead to more malnutrition state. As HIV/AIDS prone orphans to malnutrition, malnutrition makes orphan susceptible to HIV/AIDS.

 

 

 

[i] HIV/AIDS care and treatment: In a clinical course for people caring for persons living with HIV/AIDS ,2003;  pp 24.

 

[ii] UNIAIDS: Report on the global AIDS epidemic, chapter 4, the impact of AIDS on people and societies, 2006.

 

[iii] Hunter,S. and Williamson,J.: Children on the brink;Strategies to Support Children Isolated

by HIV/AIDS,Arlindton, Virgina, 2002.

 

[iv] Monasch, J. and Ties Boerma: Orphanhood and child care patterns in sub-Saharan Africa. An analysis of National Surveys from 40 countries. AIDS 18 (suppl. 2); 2004;. Pg 555-565

 

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Why most weight loss program fails? : Most weight loss programs fail due to lack of proper planning in taking diet and exercise. Before planning for a successful weight loss program you must know about weight loss. Weight loss depends on the body metabolism rate, if the metabolism rate is low, our body possesses more weight and if it is high our body looses weight. So, all we have to do is to maintain a high metabolic rate in the body by taking proper diet supplement along with physical activity by choosing successful weight loss program.

Each and every weight loss program works only if you guide yourself effectively to increase the metabolism rate and reduce the calories you take. So try to take an effective weight loss program to lose weight safely and effectively.

• : performing fewer activities will increases the chances of failure of weight loss programs. Activities like Muscle building and weightlifting, Swimming, Walking/jogging, Sit-ups, Cycling, Climbing stairs and rope skipping are very effective exercises helpful in losing weight. So don’t be irregular in performing these activities daily to lose weight effectively.

• : Taking fatty foods in the metabolism diet menu will results in failure of weight loss program. Over eating will affect the metabolic rate and increases the storage of fat content in the body which leads to the increase of weight in the body. So, stop avoiding fat foods in the diet menu.

• : In order to lose weight effectively and safely, we need minimum of 6 hours of rest period in a day. If we lack that rest period then there is definite chance for the failure of weight loss programs.

• : stress also plays a key role in defining weight loss program. If the body experience severe stress, then the occurrence of metabolic process in the body gets damage which in turn causes failure in the weight loss program. So, during attaining weight loss please don’t try to put on stress on both mind and body. If, so body mind coordination fails.

• : having sophisticated busy life schedule also causes failure in attaining weight loss program successfully.

• : Lacking consistency in performing workouts leads to the failure of weight loss programs. Go for regular workouts for losing weight effectively.

• : Alcohols, drugs and junk foods are the main sources for the weight loss programs to fail. They damage the body basal rate severely leading to more weight gain.

• : many of them try to lose weight within short period by using drugs and over workouts, this is not safe for health as it causes many side effects.So over desire in losing weight within short time will bring a massive failure in losing weight permanently.

• : maintaining low BMR by avoiding meals and exercises will be leading to the failure of weight loss programs. Don’t ever go for fasting and un prescribed drugs as it causes to have low BMR in the body which leads to increase in weight.

• :Heath related problems like thyroid disease, heart problems, kidney stones, obesity, respiratory problems, digestion problems and hormone deficiency problems will definitely leads to failure of weight loss programs. So, try to be slim and fit to avoid these problems.

Planning a successful weight loss by yourself can be a big task, as you don’t know what to take up for in a weight losing program or don’t known what questions to put over. So, this website can be really helpful in giving the review in choosing a successful weight loss program.

Yoga is a traditional practice of mental and physical discipline that originated in Nepal and North India that has become very popular worldwide, especially  in recent times now that western people are more open minded towards Eastern meditative practices.  Though yoga workshops can now be taken in almost every city in Europe and America, for many die hard yoga practicers a yoga retreat in Nepal amongst the majestic Himalayas is the ultimate yoga experience that’s not to be missed. An Everest yoga retreat really is something special.

Kathmandu Valley, Nepal is home to a large number of yoga retreats, yoga workshops, ashrams and wellness centres, offering a large choice of yoga styles, holistic nutrition,  and also yoga TTC (teacher training courses); these are visited by people from all over the world, all eager to improve their mind, body and spirit by practicing yoga in the Himalayas of Nepal, home to the humble Nepalese and proud Mount Everest.

There are already several well established yoga retreats and ashrams in the Himalayas that have Everest as a spectacular background for their classes, and the number of yoga retreats in Nepal is growing yearly as more and more visitors make the trip to Nepal to enjoy and learn from the many yoga workshops and yoga teachers that are based there.

Ashrams are traditionally a religious hermitage, though in modern times they often denote a place for various spiritual practices such as music study or yoga. There are a large number of ashrams in Nepal that specialise in yoga training, and they are typically located far away from human habitation so as to be able to offer the seclusion one needs for such a spiritual form of exercise.

Ashrams and yoga retreats in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal offer a wide range of different styles of yoga in their yoga workshops, so when choosing a yoga retreat one must consider what goals they are hoping to achieve with their yoga practice, and then research what style of yoga will be the most beneficial to them.  Many of them also now offer holistic nutrition.

Yoga workshops don’t just offer training for people who practice yoga, but they also provide yoga teacher training for people that wish to take their yoga skills to a higher level and begin teaching yoga themselves. 

Many of the yoga retreats in Nepal offer full yoga teacher training courses (TTC) in their workshops now and TTC’s are one of the fastest growing branches of the yoga retreats in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Studying a teacher training course at a yoga retreat in Nepal takes students to the next level of the yoga experience introducing new skills, knowledge and awareness of yoga practice, and of course most importantly it teaches one how to pass on this knowledge others.

There is something quite special about being nestled away in the Himalayas of Nepal, on the roof of the world, learning and practicing the ancient art of yoga. Perhaps this is because of the obvious historical association Nepal has with yoga, but there is also something about the Himalayas themselves, the remoteness, being cut off from modern civilization, and of course, beautiful scenery gives the region and Nepal a unique spiritual atmosphere that’s hard to find anywhere else. Whatever it is, visiting an Everest ashram or yoga retreat at Everest is an experience that is not to be forgotten.

A yoga retreat or Ashram in Nepal allows one to take time out from their modern lives and everyday stresses and take the time to focus their attention and concentration on themselves and their physical and mental well being, something that many people forget to do in today’s western society.

The benefits of visiting Nepal for a yoga retreat include the obvious physical benefits of increased strength and flexibility that come with yoga practice, the improved mental state of mind that comes from meditation, and last but not least the very basic relaxation and ‘getting away from it all’ feeling that waking up in the morning and looking out upon a mountain range as impressive as the Himalayas gives you.

Of course a yoga retreat is not only rewarding for the time one visits the retreat, it’s an educational holiday and learning new meditation and yoga techniques at a yoga workshop is a long term benefit that one can take home back to their own country where they continue to use the knowledge they have learned about yoga in Nepal to continue their practice and improve their lives.

Outside of yoga workshops and yoga teacher training courses, a yoga retreat or ashram in Nepal also offers an  amazing Himalayan holiday experience and visitors can partake in a number of other activities such as taking long walks, trekking in the mountains, canoeing, cycling, and bird watching. 

Yoga is considered beneficial for a person’s health for many reasons, including reducing high blood pressure (hypertension), lowering blood glucose levels, lessening the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain and arthritis, and even reducing the symptoms of asthma.

It should be noted though that studies on the medical benefits of yoga are not as comprehensive as they need to be able to have definite proof about the benefits of yoga.   One of the reasons for this is that many studies on yoga are conducted in Nepal and India and only published in foreign medical journals where the standards of the journalists and researchers cannot be checked and controlled. Though these yoga study results regarding direct medical benefits are inconclusive there is a general agreement in medical circles and amongst yoga practicers that yoga is beneficial to one’s health. 

People who practice yoga report better moods, having less tension and more energy after yoga workshops, all giving a better quality of life. There are also the more obvious benefits gained through exercising one’s body with yoga practice such as increased strength, increased flexibility and improved balance.  There are several different styles of yoga and each one has its specific benefits so if you are trying yoga to obtain a specific benefit it’s worth researching what yoga style is going to be the most useful to you.

More information about Yoga retreats and yoga teacher training courses (TTC) in Nepal can be found at Yogi-Nomad.org .