Carbohydrates could cause craving and addiction

Boston: Consuming highly processed carbohydrates can cause excess hunger and stimulate brain regions involved in reward and cravings, a new study has found. 

Researchers led by David Ludwig, director of the obesity prevention center at Boston Children's Hospital, found that limiting these "high-glycemic index" foods could help obese individuals avoid overeating. 

The new brain imaging research studied the link between food intake and the brain's pleasure centres. 

Ludwig said that the addiction can be similar to substance addiction. 

"Beyond reward and craving, this part of the brain is also linked to substance abuse and dependence, which raises the question as to whether certain foods might be addictive," researchers said. 

Researchers measured blood glucose levels and hunger, as well as brain activity in the four hours after a meal. This time period influences behaviour at the next meal. 

Twelve overweight or obese men each drank one of two test meals, served as milkshakes. The milkshakes were identical in terms of taste, texture and calories, but one was rapidly digesting (high-glycemic) and one was slowly digesting (low-glycemic). 

Those who ate the high-glycemic milkshake experienced a sugar rush followed by a sharp crash. This led to increased hunger at the next meal. 

Ludwig says that the results show that limiting high-glycemic foods could reduce cravings for food. 

"These findings suggest that limiting high-glycemic index carbohydrates like white bread could help obese individuals reduce cravings and control the urge to overeat," said Ludwig. 

The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Carbohydrates could cause craving and addiction

Boston: Consuming highly processed carbohydrates can cause excess hunger and stimulate brain regions involved in reward and cravings, a new study has found. 

Researchers led by David Ludwig, director of the obesity prevention center at Boston Children's Hospital, found that limiting these "high-glycemic index" foods could help obese individuals avoid overeating. 

The new brain imaging research studied the link between food intake and the brain's pleasure centres. 

Ludwig said that the addiction can be similar to substance addiction. 

"Beyond reward and craving, this part of the brain is also linked to substance abuse and dependence, which raises the question as to whether certain foods might be addictive," researchers said. 

Researchers measured blood glucose levels and hunger, as well as brain activity in the four hours after a meal. This time period influences behaviour at the next meal. 

Twelve overweight or obese men each drank one of two test meals, served as milkshakes. The milkshakes were identical in terms of taste, texture and calories, but one was rapidly digesting (high-glycemic) and one was slowly digesting (low-glycemic). 

Those who ate the high-glycemic milkshake experienced a sugar rush followed by a sharp crash. This led to increased hunger at the next meal. 

Ludwig says that the results show that limiting high-glycemic foods could reduce cravings for food. 

"These findings suggest that limiting high-glycemic index carbohydrates like white bread could help obese individuals reduce cravings and control the urge to overeat," said Ludwig. 

The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Sugary, starchy foods may lead to addiction

Boston: Eating sugary and starchy foods can lead to intense hunger and overeating, a new study has found. 

Researchers led by David Ludwig, director of the obesity prevention center at Boston Children's Hospital, found that limiting these "high-glycemic index" foods could help obese individuals avoid overeating. 

The new brain imaging research studied the link between food intake and the brain's pleasure centres. 

Ludwig said that the addiction can be similar to substance addiction, 'Journal.ie' reported. 

"Beyond reward and craving, this part of the brain is also linked to substance abuse and dependence, which raises the question as to whether certain foods might be addictive," researchers said. 

Researchers measured blood glucose levels and hunger, as well as brain activity in the four hours after a meal. This time period influences behaviour at the next meal. 

Twelve overweight or obese men each drank one of two test meals, served as milkshakes. The milkshakes were identical in terms of taste, texture and calories, but one was rapidly digesting (high-glycemic) and one was slowly digesting (low-glycemic). 

Those who ate the high-glycemic milkshake experienced a sugar rush followed by a sharp crash. This led to increased hunger at the next meal. 

Ludwig says that the results show that limiting high-glycemic foods could reduce cravings for food. "These findings suggest that limiting high-glycemic index carbohydrates like white bread could help obese individuals reduce cravings and control the urge to overeat," said Ludwig. 

The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Sugary, starchy foods may lead to addiction

Boston: Eating sugary and starchy foods can lead to intense hunger and overeating, a new study has found. 

Researchers led by David Ludwig, director of the obesity prevention center at Boston Children's Hospital, found that limiting these "high-glycemic index" foods could help obese individuals avoid overeating. 

The new brain imaging research studied the link between food intake and the brain's pleasure centres. 

Ludwig said that the addiction can be similar to substance addiction, 'Journal.ie' reported. 

"Beyond reward and craving, this part of the brain is also linked to substance abuse and dependence, which raises the question as to whether certain foods might be addictive," researchers said. 

Researchers measured blood glucose levels and hunger, as well as brain activity in the four hours after a meal. This time period influences behaviour at the next meal. 

Twelve overweight or obese men each drank one of two test meals, served as milkshakes. The milkshakes were identical in terms of taste, texture and calories, but one was rapidly digesting (high-glycemic) and one was slowly digesting (low-glycemic). 

Those who ate the high-glycemic milkshake experienced a sugar rush followed by a sharp crash. This led to increased hunger at the next meal. 

Ludwig says that the results show that limiting high-glycemic foods could reduce cravings for food. "These findings suggest that limiting high-glycemic index carbohydrates like white bread could help obese individuals reduce cravings and control the urge to overeat," said Ludwig. 

The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Taj Mahal ranked third among world’s top landmarks

.

NEW YORK: Travellers from across the globe have ranked India’s Taj Mahal among the top three landmarks in the world, a leading travel website has announced.

According to TripAdvisor’s 2013 Travellers Choice Attractions Awards, Taj Mahal was ranked third in the list of Top 25 landmarks.
The top two places were taken by Machu Picchu in Peru and Angkor Wat in Cambodia respectively.

“The winners of Travellers’ Choice Attractions awards were determined based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews of attractions,” said a company statement.

Taj Mahal, listed among the new Seven Wonders of the World, is renowned the world over for its architecture and aesthetic beauty.
Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, the white marble mausoleum in the northern Indian city of Agra is also a symbol of enduring love.

In 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Taj Mahal attracts 2-4 million visitors annually, with more than 200,000 from overseas.

It shares the latest honour alongside Petra World Heritage Site in Jordan and Bayon Temple in Cambodia, which are ranked fourth and fifth respectively in the list of 25 top landmarks in the world.

Taj Mahal ranked third among world’s top landmarks

.

NEW YORK: Travellers from across the globe have ranked India’s Taj Mahal among the top three landmarks in the world, a leading travel website has announced.

According to TripAdvisor’s 2013 Travellers Choice Attractions Awards, Taj Mahal was ranked third in the list of Top 25 landmarks.
The top two places were taken by Machu Picchu in Peru and Angkor Wat in Cambodia respectively.

“The winners of Travellers’ Choice Attractions awards were determined based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews of attractions,” said a company statement.

Taj Mahal, listed among the new Seven Wonders of the World, is renowned the world over for its architecture and aesthetic beauty.
Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, the white marble mausoleum in the northern Indian city of Agra is also a symbol of enduring love.

In 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Taj Mahal attracts 2-4 million visitors annually, with more than 200,000 from overseas.

It shares the latest honour alongside Petra World Heritage Site in Jordan and Bayon Temple in Cambodia, which are ranked fourth and fifth respectively in the list of 25 top landmarks in the world.

Speaker says 10,000 dead as over 800 rescued from Badrinath

Dehradun/New Delhi: Confusion prevailed over the death toll in the Uttarakhand rain-flood tragedy with the state assembly speaker claiming over 10,000 people had perished as union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said 900 people had died. Indian Air Force choppers evacuated over 800 stranded people from Badrinath as it continued to rain in the state.

Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal caused a flutter with his claim of the death toll having crossed 10,000.

Kunjwal told reporters that during his earlier tour of the flood-devastated areas of the state he had put the death toll at 5,000-6,000. 'But after hearing accounts of the people coming down from the mountains and that of people calling me up and seeing the piles of bodies, I feel the toll could be well over 10,000.'

Home Minister Shinde clarified that the toll was 900 according to the information with him. He added that the complete figure on the deaths was not out yet and it would take some days for that.

Shinde said 105,000 people had been evacuated so far from the flood-hit areas.

'We will do combing operations now to see if anyone is left out.. the roads are broken, there is no communication.. it will take some days,' he added.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has termed Kunjwal's claim as 'inaccurate'.

IAF choppers rescued more people from Badrinath where pilgrims were stranded.

The IAF choppers are also air dropping food supplied to stranded villages in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts, which were cut off after the floods.

A total of 26 IAF aircraft formed part of the operations Saturday, said officials.

The IAF airlifted the last 12 pilgrims from Harsil. 'There is no more evacuation to be done from there. Pilgrims from Harsil have been completely evacuated,' an official told IANS.

The IAF airlifted 842 pilgrims from Badrinath and will continue its operations in the sector for the next two days, he added.

On Friday, Home Minister Shinde had said the rescue efforts would be completed in another fortnight.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has put the number of villages hit by the tragedy at over 2,000.

The incessant and intense rains that hit Uttarakhand over three days from June 14 triggered flash floods and landslides, leading to hundreds of deaths, while hundreds are missing.

According to reports, a team of experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is to visit the Kedarnath temple to assess the damage to the ancient structure due to floods.

In a related development, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Saturday met the family members of Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel Akhilesh Kumar Singh who was among the 20 people killed in Tuesday's chopper crash in Uttarakhand.

Gandhi attended the cremation of the junior officer and is said to have assured all help to the family. The MI-17 V5 helicopter crashed with 20 personnel on board. Those killed included personnel from the IAF, the ITBP and the National Disaster Response Force.

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced Rs.50 crore for relief works in Uttarakhand and for construction of four pilgrim amenities centres

Speaker says 10,000 dead as over 800 rescued from Badrinath

Dehradun/New Delhi: Confusion prevailed over the death toll in the Uttarakhand rain-flood tragedy with the state assembly speaker claiming over 10,000 people had perished as union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said 900 people had died. Indian Air Force choppers evacuated over 800 stranded people from Badrinath as it continued to rain in the state.

Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal caused a flutter with his claim of the death toll having crossed 10,000.

Kunjwal told reporters that during his earlier tour of the flood-devastated areas of the state he had put the death toll at 5,000-6,000. 'But after hearing accounts of the people coming down from the mountains and that of people calling me up and seeing the piles of bodies, I feel the toll could be well over 10,000.'

Home Minister Shinde clarified that the toll was 900 according to the information with him. He added that the complete figure on the deaths was not out yet and it would take some days for that.

Shinde said 105,000 people had been evacuated so far from the flood-hit areas.

'We will do combing operations now to see if anyone is left out.. the roads are broken, there is no communication.. it will take some days,' he added.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has termed Kunjwal's claim as 'inaccurate'.

IAF choppers rescued more people from Badrinath where pilgrims were stranded.

The IAF choppers are also air dropping food supplied to stranded villages in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts, which were cut off after the floods.

A total of 26 IAF aircraft formed part of the operations Saturday, said officials.

The IAF airlifted the last 12 pilgrims from Harsil. 'There is no more evacuation to be done from there. Pilgrims from Harsil have been completely evacuated,' an official told IANS.

The IAF airlifted 842 pilgrims from Badrinath and will continue its operations in the sector for the next two days, he added.

On Friday, Home Minister Shinde had said the rescue efforts would be completed in another fortnight.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has put the number of villages hit by the tragedy at over 2,000.

The incessant and intense rains that hit Uttarakhand over three days from June 14 triggered flash floods and landslides, leading to hundreds of deaths, while hundreds are missing.

According to reports, a team of experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is to visit the Kedarnath temple to assess the damage to the ancient structure due to floods.

In a related development, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Saturday met the family members of Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel Akhilesh Kumar Singh who was among the 20 people killed in Tuesday's chopper crash in Uttarakhand.

Gandhi attended the cremation of the junior officer and is said to have assured all help to the family. The MI-17 V5 helicopter crashed with 20 personnel on board. Those killed included personnel from the IAF, the ITBP and the National Disaster Response Force.

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced Rs.50 crore for relief works in Uttarakhand and for construction of four pilgrim amenities centres

Disposal of bodies, relief transportation pose fresh challenge

Dehradun: With the majority of pilgrims evacuated from Badrinath, disposal of bodies lying in affected areas and transportation of relief material to locals in flooded villages today posed a fresh challenge to authorities

in Uttarakhand.

Uncertainty prevailed on the 15th day of the calamity over the number of people killed with conflicting casualty
figures doing the rounds.

200 more pilgrims were evacuated from Badrinath to Joshimath today in five choppers amid government claims of
only 500 remaining there with enough food material, medicines and doctors to take care of them.

Supplying foodgrains to affected villages is proving to be an onerous task for the administration now as trucks loaded
with relief material are stuck at different places in the city in the absence of roads which suffered extensive damage in the
floods, official sources said.

Disposal of bodies in worst-hit Kedarnath Valley is going on but the process is slow due to frequently changing weather,
DIG Sanjay Gunjyal told PTI.

There was no clarity over the number of people killed in the disaster with Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna saying it may
be beyond 1,000 and state Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal claiming the figure may cross the 10,000 mark.

Authorities said that the casualty figure would be known after removal of tonnes of debris lying in affected areas.

TV footages showed bodies lying in the open in Rambaraarea between Gaurikund and Kedarnath shrine in
Rudraprayag district which bore the brunt of the tragedy. An official estimate said about 550 people are still stranded at different locations across the state. Evacuation from Badrinath is expected to be over by this evening, if the weather remains favourable, an official said.
PTI

Disposal of bodies, relief transportation pose fresh challenge

Dehradun: With the majority of pilgrims evacuated from Badrinath, disposal of bodies lying in affected areas and transportation of relief material to locals in flooded villages today posed a fresh challenge to authorities

in Uttarakhand.

Uncertainty prevailed on the 15th day of the calamity over the number of people killed with conflicting casualty
figures doing the rounds.

200 more pilgrims were evacuated from Badrinath to Joshimath today in five choppers amid government claims of
only 500 remaining there with enough food material, medicines and doctors to take care of them.

Supplying foodgrains to affected villages is proving to be an onerous task for the administration now as trucks loaded
with relief material are stuck at different places in the city in the absence of roads which suffered extensive damage in the
floods, official sources said.

Disposal of bodies in worst-hit Kedarnath Valley is going on but the process is slow due to frequently changing weather,
DIG Sanjay Gunjyal told PTI.

There was no clarity over the number of people killed in the disaster with Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna saying it may
be beyond 1,000 and state Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal claiming the figure may cross the 10,000 mark.

Authorities said that the casualty figure would be known after removal of tonnes of debris lying in affected areas.

TV footages showed bodies lying in the open in Rambaraarea between Gaurikund and Kedarnath shrine in
Rudraprayag district which bore the brunt of the tragedy. An official estimate said about 550 people are still stranded at different locations across the state. Evacuation from Badrinath is expected to be over by this evening, if the weather remains favourable, an official said.
PTI

US vice-president asked me to deny Snowden asylum: Ecuadorian president

AROMO (Ecuador): Ecuador's President Rafael Correa said on Saturday he has spoken with US Vice-President Joe Biden about Edward Snowden, and that the American official asked Ecuador to reject the fugitive intelligence leaker's asylum request.

Correa said Ecuador would consult with the United States before making a decision but that ultimately it is up to Quito whether to grant asylum to the young man who has made bombshell revelations about covert US surveillance of phone records and Web traffic.

Correa said the conversation took place Friday, as Biden called and 'passed on a polite request from the United States to reject the request'.

Correa said he told Biden, 'Mr Vice-President, thanks for calling. We hold the United States in high regard. We did not seek to be in this situation. Do not get the idea that we are anti-American, as some ill-spirited media outlets are doing.'

Correa said he explained to Biden that Ecuador cannot process Snowden's asylum request because he is not physically in the South American country.

'When he comes to Ecuadoran soil, if in fact he ever does, and we have to process the request, the first people whose opinion we will seek is that of the United States,' he said.

Correa made his remarks on the Snowden case in a weekly address to the people of Ecuador, this time from the coastal town of Aromo.

Snowden, currently holed up at a Moscow airport transit area after fleeing from Hong Kong, requested asylum in Ecuador last weekend.

Ecuador has granted refuge to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange at its embassy in London for the past year.

Correa said Saturday Ecuador will follow the same procedure as it did then.

'Just as we did in the Assange case with England, we are going to listen to everyone but the decision would be ours as a sovereign nation. But of course, with affection and respect for the United States, we are going to keep very much in mind what that country has to say,' Correa said.

Correa said the conversation with Biden was 'quite courteous, and I would even say cordial.'

He said the Internet and phone surveillance programs that the former National Security Agency subcontractor revealed amount to the biggest espionage case in history.

What the United States needs to do, Correa said, is explain those once secret programs rather than focus on catching Snowden and 'tear apart a president, government or country that dares to say it will process an asylum request if it receives one.':'

Ecuador also said it planned to punish its diplomat who took a decision beyond his rank when he gave Snowden a temporary travel document for someone with plans to request asylum.

Correa said London consul Fidel Narvaez gave the document to Snowden 'exceeding his authority in doing so' and due to the consul's apparently 'desperate' concern that Snowden could be arrested.

US vice-president asked me to deny Snowden asylum: Ecuadorian president

AROMO (Ecuador): Ecuador's President Rafael Correa said on Saturday he has spoken with US Vice-President Joe Biden about Edward Snowden, and that the American official asked Ecuador to reject the fugitive intelligence leaker's asylum request.

Correa said Ecuador would consult with the United States before making a decision but that ultimately it is up to Quito whether to grant asylum to the young man who has made bombshell revelations about covert US surveillance of phone records and Web traffic.

Correa said the conversation took place Friday, as Biden called and 'passed on a polite request from the United States to reject the request'.

Correa said he told Biden, 'Mr Vice-President, thanks for calling. We hold the United States in high regard. We did not seek to be in this situation. Do not get the idea that we are anti-American, as some ill-spirited media outlets are doing.'

Correa said he explained to Biden that Ecuador cannot process Snowden's asylum request because he is not physically in the South American country.

'When he comes to Ecuadoran soil, if in fact he ever does, and we have to process the request, the first people whose opinion we will seek is that of the United States,' he said.

Correa made his remarks on the Snowden case in a weekly address to the people of Ecuador, this time from the coastal town of Aromo.

Snowden, currently holed up at a Moscow airport transit area after fleeing from Hong Kong, requested asylum in Ecuador last weekend.

Ecuador has granted refuge to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange at its embassy in London for the past year.

Correa said Saturday Ecuador will follow the same procedure as it did then.

'Just as we did in the Assange case with England, we are going to listen to everyone but the decision would be ours as a sovereign nation. But of course, with affection and respect for the United States, we are going to keep very much in mind what that country has to say,' Correa said.

Correa said the conversation with Biden was 'quite courteous, and I would even say cordial.'

He said the Internet and phone surveillance programs that the former National Security Agency subcontractor revealed amount to the biggest espionage case in history.

What the United States needs to do, Correa said, is explain those once secret programs rather than focus on catching Snowden and 'tear apart a president, government or country that dares to say it will process an asylum request if it receives one.':'

Ecuador also said it planned to punish its diplomat who took a decision beyond his rank when he gave Snowden a temporary travel document for someone with plans to request asylum.

Correa said London consul Fidel Narvaez gave the document to Snowden 'exceeding his authority in doing so' and due to the consul's apparently 'desperate' concern that Snowden could be arrested.

60 mummies found in 1,000-year-old tomb in Peru

Lima: Polish and Peruvian archaeologists have discovered a royal burial chamber with 60 mummies and some 1,200 gold, silver and ceramic objects from over 1,000 years ago in Peru.

The mummies - including three princesses - and other items date back to a pre-Inca culture called the Wari, who peaked between the seventh and 11th centuries, researchers said.

'This is a unique find,' said archaeologist Giersz Milosz of the University of Warsaw on Friday. 'This is the first Peruvian discovery of a royal tomb from the Wari culture,' of which little is known.

The find, in an area known as El Castillo, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Lima, follows two earlier finds by the Polish and Peruvian team in 2010.

The chamber was discovered two meters (six feet) underground and covered with 33 tonnes of gravel. The tombs of the princesses - apparently wives of Wari chiefs - were at one end of the 17 square meter (190 square foot) chamber.

Most of the mummies were women, buried in an upright position, a sign of rank, according to the researchers.

They were adorned in silver and gold jewelry, and buried with ceramic vessels and baskets filled with more jewelry.

AFP

60 mummies found in 1,000-year-old tomb in Peru

Lima: Polish and Peruvian archaeologists have discovered a royal burial chamber with 60 mummies and some 1,200 gold, silver and ceramic objects from over 1,000 years ago in Peru.

The mummies - including three princesses - and other items date back to a pre-Inca culture called the Wari, who peaked between the seventh and 11th centuries, researchers said.

'This is a unique find,' said archaeologist Giersz Milosz of the University of Warsaw on Friday. 'This is the first Peruvian discovery of a royal tomb from the Wari culture,' of which little is known.

The find, in an area known as El Castillo, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) north of Lima, follows two earlier finds by the Polish and Peruvian team in 2010.

The chamber was discovered two meters (six feet) underground and covered with 33 tonnes of gravel. The tombs of the princesses - apparently wives of Wari chiefs - were at one end of the 17 square meter (190 square foot) chamber.

Most of the mummies were women, buried in an upright position, a sign of rank, according to the researchers.

They were adorned in silver and gold jewelry, and buried with ceramic vessels and baskets filled with more jewelry.

AFP

Lifestyle eroding women's resilience to heart disease: Doctors' survey

New Delhi: A new survey shows that changing lifestyle has exposed women to the risk of cardiovascular diseases, shattering the popular belief that oestrogen hormone protects them from such ailments.

The survey, 'Visualising the Extent of Heart Disease in Indian Women', revealed that 65 percent doctors believe that oestrogen's deficiency due to changing lifestyle and other co-morbid conditions are among the top five reasons responsible for younger women developing cardiovascular diseases.

According to the survey, 55 percent of cardiologists observed 16-20 percent growth in cardiovascular diseases among women in the last five years, while 41 percent of the doctors claimed 10-15 percent growth in such diseases among women in the age group of 20-40 years -- the category which was earlier considered protected from heart ailments.

'Quite contrary to conventional medical ideology that due to oestrogen hormone women, especially menstruating ones, are safe from heart diseases, lately, there has been a significant rise in number of female cardiovascular patients,' said J.P.S. Sawhney, senior cardiologist at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here.

'The trend may be attributed to changing lifestyle, which is bringing such drastic hormonal changes that the heart protecting effect of oestrogen is getting nullified,' Sawhney added.

The survey showed that due to changes in lifestyle, not only have the risk factors for the cardiovascular diseases like stress, smoking and drinking increased considerably, but co-morbid conditions like obesity, hypertension and diabetes have also gone up.

But despite the threat, 83 percent of the doctors believed that Indian women are ignorant about heart diseases, while 76 percent observed that women die of heart diseases as they do not seek medical assistance in time for their condition. 

Sixty-six percent of doctors agreed that cardiovascular disease-related deaths among women are due to late diagnosis.

'Women often overlook symptoms and discomfort pertaining to heart diseases, and rarely consult an expert. Even if they opt for consultation, more often than not, they discontinue the treatment as soon as they get symptomatic relief. The compliance rate is comparatively poor among women,' Sawhney said.

The survey also revealed a striking contrast between working and non-working women in terms of awareness and risk factors.

While 81 percent of the doctors believed that working women are more conscious about their heart health, majority of the doctors still noted that heart diseases are on the rise in working women.

'Considering the fact that working women juggle home and work responsibilities, they are more likely to get exposed to stress and unhealthy lifestyle and, therefore, may be more prone to cardiovascular diseases as compared to non-working women,' said Chandrakant S. Pandav, head of the department, Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

'Nevertheless, due to huge burden of household responsibilities and lack of self-care, non-working women cannot be considered to be at lesser risk,' he added.

The survey covered about 600 cardiologists and general practitioners from both metro and non-metro cities and was based on subjective and objective questions.

'In India more than 400 million people have stress, which is one of the major reasons of all health problems, and change in lifestyles is a major reason causing cardio-vascular diseases, Pandav said.

'Cardio-vascular diseases in women in India, where a large percentage of the population is diabetic, are likely to increase by 17 percent in the coming 10 years, Kapil Yadav of the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS said.

Lifestyle eroding women's resilience to heart disease: Doctors' survey

New Delhi: A new survey shows that changing lifestyle has exposed women to the risk of cardiovascular diseases, shattering the popular belief that oestrogen hormone protects them from such ailments.

The survey, 'Visualising the Extent of Heart Disease in Indian Women', revealed that 65 percent doctors believe that oestrogen's deficiency due to changing lifestyle and other co-morbid conditions are among the top five reasons responsible for younger women developing cardiovascular diseases.

According to the survey, 55 percent of cardiologists observed 16-20 percent growth in cardiovascular diseases among women in the last five years, while 41 percent of the doctors claimed 10-15 percent growth in such diseases among women in the age group of 20-40 years -- the category which was earlier considered protected from heart ailments.

'Quite contrary to conventional medical ideology that due to oestrogen hormone women, especially menstruating ones, are safe from heart diseases, lately, there has been a significant rise in number of female cardiovascular patients,' said J.P.S. Sawhney, senior cardiologist at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here.

'The trend may be attributed to changing lifestyle, which is bringing such drastic hormonal changes that the heart protecting effect of oestrogen is getting nullified,' Sawhney added.

The survey showed that due to changes in lifestyle, not only have the risk factors for the cardiovascular diseases like stress, smoking and drinking increased considerably, but co-morbid conditions like obesity, hypertension and diabetes have also gone up.

But despite the threat, 83 percent of the doctors believed that Indian women are ignorant about heart diseases, while 76 percent observed that women die of heart diseases as they do not seek medical assistance in time for their condition. 

Sixty-six percent of doctors agreed that cardiovascular disease-related deaths among women are due to late diagnosis.

'Women often overlook symptoms and discomfort pertaining to heart diseases, and rarely consult an expert. Even if they opt for consultation, more often than not, they discontinue the treatment as soon as they get symptomatic relief. The compliance rate is comparatively poor among women,' Sawhney said.

The survey also revealed a striking contrast between working and non-working women in terms of awareness and risk factors.

While 81 percent of the doctors believed that working women are more conscious about their heart health, majority of the doctors still noted that heart diseases are on the rise in working women.

'Considering the fact that working women juggle home and work responsibilities, they are more likely to get exposed to stress and unhealthy lifestyle and, therefore, may be more prone to cardiovascular diseases as compared to non-working women,' said Chandrakant S. Pandav, head of the department, Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

'Nevertheless, due to huge burden of household responsibilities and lack of self-care, non-working women cannot be considered to be at lesser risk,' he added.

The survey covered about 600 cardiologists and general practitioners from both metro and non-metro cities and was based on subjective and objective questions.

'In India more than 400 million people have stress, which is one of the major reasons of all health problems, and change in lifestyles is a major reason causing cardio-vascular diseases, Pandav said.

'Cardio-vascular diseases in women in India, where a large percentage of the population is diabetic, are likely to increase by 17 percent in the coming 10 years, Kapil Yadav of the Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS said.

3,600 Indians return from Kuwait, India asks for 'time and space'

New Delhi: With around 3,600 Indians having returned from Kuwait this year, India Friday said it has asked the Gulf country's government to 'provide time and space' to expatriates overstaying or on irregular visas to return on their own or to regularise their stay as per its law.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said here at a briefing that 3,600 Indians have returned home since the beginning of the year. These include 1,000 who had been issued Emergency Certificates and 2,600 who had their passports.

Following some instances of Indians complaining of harassment by the Kuwaiti authorities, the Indian embassy has set up round-the-clock help desks and also provided an email where Indians could convey their problems, he said.

While the embassy has received 600 telephone calls and 100 emails till now, Akbaruddin clarified that none of them related to complaints of harassment.

'None of them related to any specific case of harassment,' he said, adding that the messages from the Indians were about their fears and apprehensions.

He said that 'any case of harassment will be taken up (with the Kuwaiti authorities) and taken to its logical conclusion'.

He also said that the Indian embassy and Indian envoy Satish C. Mehta were in touch with the local Indian organisations as well as with 'large employers ' employing more than 5,000 people to find out if any Indians had any problems.

Akbaruddin said India has also taken up the issue with the Kuwaiti authorities, in New Delhi and in Kuwait, 'and our view is should they want to crack down.. they should provide space and time to expatriates to leave of their own.. Provide time or regularise their stay in accordance with Kuwaiti law'.

There are 700,000 Indians in Kuwait, an increase of 25,000 over last year, he informed.

Kuwait has announced a policy ro reduce the number of its expatriate workers over a 10-year period, under which it is targetting expatriates who overstayed or have irregular visas.

In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, where 2.8 million Indians work, the kingdom's Nitaqat work policy has also affected Indian workers and thousands of them have returned home.

3,600 Indians return from Kuwait, India asks for 'time and space'

New Delhi: With around 3,600 Indians having returned from Kuwait this year, India Friday said it has asked the Gulf country's government to 'provide time and space' to expatriates overstaying or on irregular visas to return on their own or to regularise their stay as per its law.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said here at a briefing that 3,600 Indians have returned home since the beginning of the year. These include 1,000 who had been issued Emergency Certificates and 2,600 who had their passports.

Following some instances of Indians complaining of harassment by the Kuwaiti authorities, the Indian embassy has set up round-the-clock help desks and also provided an email where Indians could convey their problems, he said.

While the embassy has received 600 telephone calls and 100 emails till now, Akbaruddin clarified that none of them related to complaints of harassment.

'None of them related to any specific case of harassment,' he said, adding that the messages from the Indians were about their fears and apprehensions.

He said that 'any case of harassment will be taken up (with the Kuwaiti authorities) and taken to its logical conclusion'.

He also said that the Indian embassy and Indian envoy Satish C. Mehta were in touch with the local Indian organisations as well as with 'large employers ' employing more than 5,000 people to find out if any Indians had any problems.

Akbaruddin said India has also taken up the issue with the Kuwaiti authorities, in New Delhi and in Kuwait, 'and our view is should they want to crack down.. they should provide space and time to expatriates to leave of their own.. Provide time or regularise their stay in accordance with Kuwaiti law'.

There are 700,000 Indians in Kuwait, an increase of 25,000 over last year, he informed.

Kuwait has announced a policy ro reduce the number of its expatriate workers over a 10-year period, under which it is targetting expatriates who overstayed or have irregular visas.

In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, where 2.8 million Indians work, the kingdom's Nitaqat work policy has also affected Indian workers and thousands of them have returned home.

Blood directory portal launched

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister for State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor inaugurated a blood donor portal and helpdesk here Saturday.

Launched by private financial business house Muthoot Pappachan Group (MPG), the Life Blood Directory portal and helpdesk is billed to be the biggest directory of blood donors in the country.

MPG chairman and managing director Thomas John said it was the first time that such a facility would be available in India.

'Over 3,600 branches across will be equipped to support the donor management process. More than 30,000 people consented to donate blood. Requests for blood will be processed at a centrally coordinated helpdesk, which will coordinate blood donation,' John said.

Besides banking, MPG has interests in automotive dealerships, hospitality, real estate, entertainment, health services and alternate energy, with a turnover of Rs.20,000 crore. 

Blood directory portal launched

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister for State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor inaugurated a blood donor portal and helpdesk here Saturday.

Launched by private financial business house Muthoot Pappachan Group (MPG), the Life Blood Directory portal and helpdesk is billed to be the biggest directory of blood donors in the country.

MPG chairman and managing director Thomas John said it was the first time that such a facility would be available in India.

'Over 3,600 branches across will be equipped to support the donor management process. More than 30,000 people consented to donate blood. Requests for blood will be processed at a centrally coordinated helpdesk, which will coordinate blood donation,' John said.

Besides banking, MPG has interests in automotive dealerships, hospitality, real estate, entertainment, health services and alternate energy, with a turnover of Rs.20,000 crore. 

Jayalalithaa contributes Rs 5 crores for Uttarakhand flood relief

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Sunday announced an assistance of Rs 5 crores for the relief of flood and landslide victims in the rain-ravaged hill state of Uttarakhand.

In a press release, she expressed her heartfelt condolences to the family members of those who lost their lives.

She said, she was ready to render any other assistance that may be required by the Uttarakhand Government.

The chief minister had earlier constituted a high level committee to coordinate the rescue operation.

Headed by Special Representative to the State of Tamil Nadu at Delhi S T K Jaggaiyan , Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration T S Sridhar and the Secretary to Government Revenue Department of Tamil Nadu Gagandeep Singh Bedi, the committee has been asked to handle the rescue co-ordination by camping in Dehradun and Haridwar.
This team is in Haridwar from June 20 with a team of officers to assist.

Jayalalithaa contributes Rs 5 crores for Uttarakhand flood relief

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Sunday announced an assistance of Rs 5 crores for the relief of flood and landslide victims in the rain-ravaged hill state of Uttarakhand.

In a press release, she expressed her heartfelt condolences to the family members of those who lost their lives.

She said, she was ready to render any other assistance that may be required by the Uttarakhand Government.

The chief minister had earlier constituted a high level committee to coordinate the rescue operation.

Headed by Special Representative to the State of Tamil Nadu at Delhi S T K Jaggaiyan , Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration T S Sridhar and the Secretary to Government Revenue Department of Tamil Nadu Gagandeep Singh Bedi, the committee has been asked to handle the rescue co-ordination by camping in Dehradun and Haridwar.
This team is in Haridwar from June 20 with a team of officers to assist.

Jose Thettayil booked for sexual harassment

KOCHI: Former Kerala transport minister and opposition legislator Jose Thettayil has trouble on his hands, as a 30-year-old woman has filed a case on Sunday alleging that the legislator and his son "exploited" her.

The woman approached the Aluva police Sunday and handed over a 15-page complaint, along with a CD, claiming that the father-son duo "used" her. The 30-year-old alleged that the 62-year-old former minister reneged on a promise that his son would marry her.

Meanwhile, TV channel here aired visuals of the former minister and the woman in bed.

The Aluva police registered a case against the Janata Dal(S) legislator and his son Adarsh.

State Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the crime branch of the police would probe the matter.

The woman, who holds a Master's degree in computer applications, reportedly testified before a team of police officials, offering details of the manner of her "exploitation" by the father-son duo.

Reacting to the allegations, Thettayil said he has a nearly four-year-old acquaintance with the woman, but there was no question at all of his son marrying her.

"She is three or four years elder to my son. The visuals aired were morphed, the lady is a computer expert. There is a big conspiracy behind this," Thettayil, who served as transport minister in the V.S. Achuthanandan cabinet, told the media.

Thettayil also said he would resign the post if LDF demands. 

Janatha Dal (S) informed that the allegation against Thettayil was a fabricated one and that some top leaders in the UDF and a newspaper owner were behind the allegation.

This case comes close on the heels of the flak the Oommen Chandy government has been facing in the assembly and outside it, over the associations of members of his staff with a woman arrested for fraud.

On Monday, the Left opposition is set to stage a massive protest in front of the assembly, reiterating the demand that Chandy must quit over the scandal.

. 

Jose Thettayil booked for sexual harassment

KOCHI: Former Kerala transport minister and opposition legislator Jose Thettayil has trouble on his hands, as a 30-year-old woman has filed a case on Sunday alleging that the legislator and his son "exploited" her.

The woman approached the Aluva police Sunday and handed over a 15-page complaint, along with a CD, claiming that the father-son duo "used" her. The 30-year-old alleged that the 62-year-old former minister reneged on a promise that his son would marry her.

Meanwhile, TV channel here aired visuals of the former minister and the woman in bed.

The Aluva police registered a case against the Janata Dal(S) legislator and his son Adarsh.

State Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the crime branch of the police would probe the matter.

The woman, who holds a Master's degree in computer applications, reportedly testified before a team of police officials, offering details of the manner of her "exploitation" by the father-son duo.

Reacting to the allegations, Thettayil said he has a nearly four-year-old acquaintance with the woman, but there was no question at all of his son marrying her.

"She is three or four years elder to my son. The visuals aired were morphed, the lady is a computer expert. There is a big conspiracy behind this," Thettayil, who served as transport minister in the V.S. Achuthanandan cabinet, told the media.

Thettayil also said he would resign the post if LDF demands. 

Janatha Dal (S) informed that the allegation against Thettayil was a fabricated one and that some top leaders in the UDF and a newspaper owner were behind the allegation.

This case comes close on the heels of the flak the Oommen Chandy government has been facing in the assembly and outside it, over the associations of members of his staff with a woman arrested for fraud.

On Monday, the Left opposition is set to stage a massive protest in front of the assembly, reiterating the demand that Chandy must quit over the scandal.

. 

Police records Manipal rape victim’s statement

  

UDUPPI: Manipal rape victim told the police that she was assaulted for nearly three hours by three persons. She told them that three including an auto driver assaulted her many times at an isolated police and then abandoned her. She also told them that from there she went alone to her flat.

Her statements were recorded in the presence of women cops and councilors. The police are trying to prepare a sketch of the accused with the help of police.

Karnataka Home Minister K J George visited the victim at the Kasturba Medical College hospital. The minister said nobody has been taken into custody so far and the police are questioning many. Reports said three persons have been taken into custody in connection with the incident

Police records Manipal rape victim’s statement

  

UDUPPI: Manipal rape victim told the police that she was assaulted for nearly three hours by three persons. She told them that three including an auto driver assaulted her many times at an isolated police and then abandoned her. She also told them that from there she went alone to her flat.

Her statements were recorded in the presence of women cops and councilors. The police are trying to prepare a sketch of the accused with the help of police.

Karnataka Home Minister K J George visited the victim at the Kasturba Medical College hospital. The minister said nobody has been taken into custody so far and the police are questioning many. Reports said three persons have been taken into custody in connection with the incident

India look to win Champions Trophy outright

Birmingham: The Champions Trophy will fade into history after the last edition ends here Sunday with world's top two ranked cricket teams playing the final - and India aiming to win the trophy outright.

India are at the top of the summit and England are the next best, way down on points, eight points separating them. This huge difference is reflected in the odds favouring India by on-line betting sites in Britain.

India, the only unbeaten side in the tournament, are 8-11 odds on to win the trophy on their terrific current form. All the same, England are hoping their bowling mainstay James Anderson comes up with yet another spell of unplayable bowling to unsettle the Indians. Also, they suspect the law averages to catch up with the Indians in conditions conducive to the home seamers.

India are not only looking to take on England's challenge, but also want to prove that all the shenanigans of the Indian Premier League hardly any effect on their cricket out in the field. They can't think of a better ending to the tournament that holding the trophy aloft Sunday nightfall.

If they, India will be winning the trophy outright for the first time, having shared it with hosts Sri Lanka in 2002 and losing the inaugural final against New Zealand in Nairobi two years earlier. A win will also be a great way to commemorate India's 30 years of 1983 World Cup triumph.

Hosts England are desperately looking for the maiden Champions Trophy win after breaking the jinx of not having won any International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament till they won the Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean in 2010.

This is England's second Champions Trophy final, having lost to the West Indies at The Oval in 2004. They are also desperate to go into the Ashes series with their tails up by winning the trophy.

If England think they have the conditions in which they usually revel, the Indians seem to have got the measure of the typical English atmosphere and the blustery June climate.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men clearly looked the best side in the tournament having dictated terms in all their matches, winning comprehensively. Though, barring their defeat against Sri Lanka at the group stage, England, too, looked formidable.

Importantly for India, their batsmen have been amongst runs. Left handed opener Shikhar Dhawan has led from the start by scoring 332 runs briskly at an average of 110.66 from the four matches played, making him the tournament's leading run-scorer. The 27-year-old has scored two centuries and a half-century so far.

Dhawan and his opening partner Rohit Sharma have largely been responsible for India piling up good scores, providing good stats.

Medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been highly impressive in the English conditions,providing breakthrough in every match, and none of the top-order left-handed batsmen was comfortable negotiating his away swing.

Ishant Sharma, as third seamer, bowled with venom and picked up wickets at regular intervals.

What gave the attack a sharp edge is the way the two spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin bowled the middle overs to keep the batsmen on a leash and running through the middle and lower-order batting.

Jadeja, in particular, has continued from where he left off against Australia at home to pick wickets for the asking. He is the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 10 wickets with his career-best 5/36 coming against the West Indies.

For the hosts, skipper Alastair Cook and fellow-opener Ian Bell looked solid while Jonathan Trott dropped anchor to keep the innings going.

With 209 runs at 69.66, Trott is the third highest run-getter in the event. Joe Root, 22, with his sensible batting has been their second highest scorer for the side.

India will have to se off Anderson without him causing much damage. He shares the second joint highest wicket-taker berth with Jadeja. If Stuart Broad and Steven Finn make the pace attack look potent, off-spinner James Tredwell filled the vacancy caused by Graeme Swan's absence with a back strain admirably.

Interestingly, both the sides have five full-time bowlers to share the attack, and Dhoni showed that he,too, could turn his arm over in these conditions.

The teams (from):

India: 1. MS Dhoni (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvaneshwa Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Irfan Pathan, Murali Vijay, Amit Mishra and Vinay Kumar.

England: Alastair Cook (captain), Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Joe Root, Ravi Bopara, Jos Butler, Tim Bresnan, Chris Broad, Graeme Swan, Steven Finn, James Anderson, James Tredwell, Eoin Morgan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes.

Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and Rod Tucker (Australia
Third Umpire: Bruce Oxenford (Australia)
Reserve Umpire: Aleem Dar (Pakistan)
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)