BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM | IMPROVE HEALTH | COMBAT DISEASES

 5 COMMONLY USED VEGETABLES THAT BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM AND IMPROVE HEALTH 

Everything that exists, have some purpose. Similarly, everything that we consume effects our body. It may have positive effects on our body or it may damages our health. So, to maintain a better health condition would be our first priority to avoid daily life stresses. Here are some foods (vegetables) that prove to be best for your bodily and mind' health. These foods have proven medical benefits. 

1. BROCCOLI

Scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. italica
Broccoli belongs to the family Brassicaceae of Angiospermae. It was discovered about 2000 years ago in Italy. Since then it is used for its miraculous medicinal properties. Broccoli is full of nutrients which assign it such medicinal properties. These nutrients include minerals like potassium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and folate ions, vitamins like vit.A, vit.C, vit.E, phytochemicals include carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and many other polyphenols.
Due to these properties broccoli possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer and cardiovascular protective properties. Broccoli plays an significant role to prevent cold and boost immune system due to the presence of vitamin C. A chemical known as sulforaphane also has a vital role in preventing flu. Researches have shown that sulforaphane turns on antioxidant genes in human's immune cells, which then neutralises or destroy free radicals and prevent us from many diseases including flu, cancer and many other diseases. Read more

2. GINGER

Scientific name: Zingiber officinale
Ginger belongs to Lilianae family of plants. It is native to South-East Asia. It is a common kitchen spice and since its discovery it is used as medicinal plant.
Ginger is packed with nutrients essential to human body. It contain minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, sodium, copper and magnesium, vitamins include vit.B3 and B6 majorly, phytochemicals that are present in it include saponin, anthraquinones, phlobatannin and glycosides. These nutrients attribute ginger many medicinal and pharmaceutical properties which include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, cardiovascular protective, anti-diabetic, anti-neurodegenerative and anti-obesity characteristics. Due to the presence of polyphenols like gingerols, shogaols etc , ginger helps to boost immune activity of body. These polyphenols also help to avoid nausea, different gastric problems, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Specifically, gingerol suppresses the tumor growth in small intestine and protect us from developing colorectal cancer.Read more
3. GARLIC 

Scientific name: Allium sativum
Garlic belongs to the lily family of plants. It is a bulb of the plant Allium sativum and consists of many individual cloves in a thin white layer (may be purple sometimes). Garlic was discovered about 3000 years ago. It is used almost in the entire world for centuries as a herbal medicine. It is also used in almost every cuisine around the globe. Garlic is fulfilled with substances that are compulsory for normal metabolic process of human body. It contain minerals like germanium, calcium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, selenium and tellerium, vitamins include vit.A, B1, B2, B3 and C, sugars include glucose, fructose and galactose etc, Amino acids are Lysine, Histidine, Aspartic acid and many similar one. Sulfur compounds present in garlic include alliin, ajoene, allicin, DAS, DADS, DATS, S-allyl mercaptocysteine and many others. These sulfur compounds are the major components of garlic that attribute it vital medicinal properties. These properties include anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, neuro protective and vasoactive. The major anti-cancer and vasoactive ir cardiovascular protective compounds are allicin and S-allyl mercaptocysteine. Allicin doesn't exist in raw garlic, it is formed when garlic is cut or injured and alliin is converted into allicin. Read more

4. SPINACH 

Scientific name: Spinacia oleracea 

Spinach belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae. It is a green, leafy, annual, cool season vegetable. It is native to South-West Asia. It is believed that it was first cultivated by Arabs in Persia(Iran) about 2000 years ago. Then in 7th century it was introduced in China, and in Europe in 17th century and then throughout the world. Spinach has diversified uses in food, medicinal, beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. As it contains vital nutrients, therefore it have proven benefits on human health. The nutrients present in spinach include minerals like magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, phosphorus, zinc and selenium etc, vitamins include vit.A, B1, B2, B6, C, K and E, protein fibres, phytochemicals like carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and polyphenols like lignans, tannis, chlorophyll, glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid etc and fatty acids like omega 3 and also folate ions. These nutrients attribute important biological activities to spinach. These characteristics are skin protection, cardiovascular protection, neuro protection, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-diabetic and rapid recovery from injuries. Every nutrient present in spinach has a role in assigning these properties to it. But flavonoids (polyphenols) are the major anti-diabetic and anti-cancer agents in it. Vitamin C helps to combat flu and relevant diseases and vit.K1 helps in blood clotting. Read more

5. KALE 

Scientific name: Brassica olerace var. sabellica

Kale belongs to the Brassicaceae family of Angiosperms. It is a leafy, green, cruciferous vegetable. It was originated in Eastern Mediterranean and Asia about 2000 years ago. Kale contains large amount of essential nutrients, these include minerals like phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc and folate ions, vitamins like vitamin A, B, C and K. Vitamin A provides eye and bone health, vit.C aids to prevent cold, vit.K helps in blood clotting, vit.B helps in brain development.  It also contains phytochemicals like lutein, and zeaxanthin, and good fatty acids like omega 3 and alpha-lipoic acid. Due to the presence of these compounds kale plays a vital role in boosting immune activity and metabolic rate. It possess important characteristics as it is anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, neuro-protective, cardiovascular protective and anti-obesity. Most of the properties of kale are due to phytochemicals (polyphenols) present in it.

SPINACH | BENEFITS OF SPINACH | FLAVONOIDS

WHAT IS SPINACH, WHAT ARE ITS NUTRITIONAL FACTS AND HOW IT IS BENEFICIAL FOR HUMANS 

Scientific name: Spinacia oleracea

Taxonomic hierarchy of Spinacia oleracea 

                     Kingdom: Plantae 

                       Sub kingdom: Viridiplantae 

                         Infra kingdom: Streptophyta 

                          Super division: Embryophyta 

                            Division: Tracheophyta 

                              Sub division: Spermatophytina 

                                Class: Magnoliopsida 

                                  Super order: Caryophyllanae

                                    Order: Caryophyllales

                                      Family: Amaranthaceae

                                        Genus: Spinacia

                                          Specie: Spinacia oleracea 

          Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae, is a leafy, green (smooth or wrinkled) cool-season, annual vegetable native to South-west Asia. It is cultivated through out the world. In different areas around the globe it is consumed in different forms, either in boiled, frozen, raw (as salad), or as ingredient of different cuisines. 

Origin of Spinach: 

It is believed that it has been first cultivated by Arabs. About 2000 years ago, it was first grown in Persia ( today's Iran). Then, in 7th century it was harvested in China and then in 11th century it was introduced in Europe. Later on, it become a common vegetable and also used as medicine throughout the world. 

Spinach has diversified uses in food industry but inspire of that it has vital role in medicine, because of the many nutrients present in it. It has many proven benefits on human health. 

NUTRIENTS 

Spinach is enriched with many nutrients that play a key role in many metabolic processes and prevent humans from developing many diseases. 

• Spinach is packed with minerals, they may be micronutrients or macronutrients. These minerals include magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. They are essential in many biochemical reactions as co-factor and in blood making i.e in the formation of haemoglobin. 
• Spinach is also enriched with vitamins like vitamin A (from beta-carotene), vitamin C, E, K1 and some vitamins B like vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B6 . They help in blood clotting, strengthening bones and many other functions. 
• Spinach is also enriched with many fibers, including protein fibres.
• Phytochemicals are of the most importance in spinach. These include carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, beta-carotene along with many phenolic compounds such as glutathione, chlorophyll, alpha-lipoic acid and betaine.
• Spinach contains phenolic substances ranging from very simple to  complex ones. They include simple phenols  like caffeic acid to highly polymerised structures as tannis. Most common phenols in spinach include flavonoids, lignans, stilbenes, coumarins and tannis. 
•   Spinach has high contents of folate ions which contributes for good mental health and lower the risk of anxiety disorders and depression. It is also taken as supplement while pregnancy. 
• Spinach is also enriched with omega 3, which is a potent source of brain development.

[HOW SPINACH IS USEFUL FOR HUMANS OR HOW DO IT PREVENTS HUMANS FROM MANY CHRONIC DISEASES]

• Spinach is used as antioxidant to scavenge free radicals.
• Spinach is used to prevent or cure many types of  cancer including prostate, breast and colon cancer.
• Spinach is used to treat diabetes Mellitus. 
• It has many beneficial effects on skin .
• Due to high contents of iron in spinach, it is useful to increase the blood haemoglobin level.
• It is very helpful to avoid Alzheimer's disease. It has also many positive effects on decreasing cognitive nervous disorders because of its anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Spinach protects us from developing many diseases, especially age related molecular degeneration (AMD) due to the presence of a compound known as lutein.

Spinach have many medicinal compounds present in it which helps to cure wide range of diseases. One category of these compounds is flavonoids. Flavonoids are the major anti-diabetic substances present in spinach and most of the medicinal plants. 

FLAVONOIDS:  

Basic structure of flavonoid

Flavonoids are the polyphenolic compounds with variable structure. These are wide spread group of plants secondary metabolites. They are found in grains, vegetables, fruits tea, flowers and fermented drinks like wine. These substances have medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical applications. 

Flavonoids include kaempferol, quercetin, apigenin and lutein. 

They have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties. These substances also have the ability to modulate key cellular enzyme activity and because of this property, they possess hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic characteristics. Researches have shown that these compounds ameliorate diabetic phenotype and might be effected directly to enhance the secretions of  insulin and prevent stem-cell apoptosis. 

Sociology | Role of sociology in health | Sociology in Physiotherapy | Sociology and health care professionals | Determinants of health | Health status affects

ROLE OF SOCIOLOGY IN HEALTH

Definition of health

'Optimum functioning of an individual'

The state of moral, physical, mental well being which enables

a person to face any crisis in life with the utmost grace of God

and facility — Pericles, 500 BC

Health is a state of complete well-being: physical, mental, and emotional. This definition emphasizes the importance of being more than disease free, and recognizes that a healthy body depends upon a healthy environment and a stable mind.

The historical focus of sociology is on social problems in human society. Social problems include health problems, crime, deviance, violence, poverty, inequality, population problems, delinquency, and institutional instability.

Sociologists have demonstrated that the spread of diseases is heavily influenced by the socioeconomic status of individuals, ethnic traditions or beliefs, and other cultural factors. [3] Where medical research might gather statistics on a disease, a sociological perspective on an illness would provide insight on what external factors caused the demographics who contracted the disease to become ill.

There are obvious differences in patterns of health and illness across societies, over time, and within particular society types. There has historically been a long-term decline in mortality within industrialized societies, and on average, life-expectancies are considerably higher in developed, rather than developing or undeveloped, societies.

All health problems are conceived as social problems, which are the core focus of sociological studies.

Application of Knowledge of Sociology in Physiotherapy:

Sociology studies the relationship between human beings. Physiotherapist have to establish good interpersonal relationship, wins the confidentiality of the client so that the client will freely ventilate their feelings, thoughts with the therapist without any inhibitions, prejudice or bias. The process of clients' care is essentially a social activity.

 Nearly 75% of physiotherapy activities is performed within the homes of disabled and those who are having physio-therapeutical oriented ailments. The therapist will be having more feasibility to understand the socio-economic, socio-cultural background, nature of family. The knowledge of sociology helps the physiotherapist to get more socialized with the client's family members. Hence, the knowledge of sociology helps the therapist to adapt his therapeutic activities according to the need and family's socio-cultural background and living condition of the patient.

Importance of Study of Sociology with Special Reference to Health Care Professionals:

There is a dire need to integrate the knowledge of behavior sciences is essential along with medical sciences and it has to be included in the curriculum of health care professional in order to prepare professionals adequately to practice the science of medicine and the art of professional in varying socio-cultural context coexisting health care systems. The institutions, which integrate the behavioral sciences in their programs of health

care education, those are on the path of progress by keeping scientific space with proper understanding of the structural realities in contemporary society. The study of social relationship between health phenomena and social factors in medical / health context. A sociological approach in medical field gives a better understanding and develops an integral knowledge relate the life processes to the existing social phenomena and health in a comprehensive manner. It provides a unique way of viewing the disease and the client as well. It enables the practitioners with information about medical institutions. The study of distribution of health and disease, cultural perspectives, attitudes, values ​​emerging from social organization. 

The health care professional will act as behavioral scientist or health social scientist in the medical field. A holistic approach is needed to understand health and illness in a comprehensive manner. The health care professionals have to be sensitive to the health needs of the people in the context of broader social change.

The interest of sociology in health was heightened owing mainly to the great strides achieved through improvement in the standard of living health status. The scope of social science application to medicine and health care broadened with the inclusion in analysis socio-cultural and environmental condition that cause diseases or create predispositions for them or influence their causes. 

Application of Knowledge of Sociology in Occupational Therapy:

The application of goal oriented, purposeful activity in the assessment and treatment of individuals with psychological, physical or developmental disabilities.

Occupational therapy (OT) is otherwise called as activity oriented therapy where the therapist will be assisting the individual to perform his daily activities (ADL) in a better manner, by maximum utilization of functional ability. It is a part of tertiary prevention where the therapist activities are oriented towards prevention of diseases' complications and disability limitations. Includes rehabilitation of client, promotes recovery and the prognosis of the disease, to bring the client to his own normal activities.

The therapist will assess the intelligent quotient levels based on the type of retardation and abilities of the client; The occupational therapist training will be provided to the client to carry out the ADL with minimum effort by the client. The therapist will use the knowledge of sociology in managing the welfare of the client. Bringing the victim to normal condition requires the socialization process since normalization of victim will not occur suddenly.

Determinants of Health:

Health is a multi-factorial, it is a result of interaction of various factors.

Heredity

The traits of an individual is determined by the nature of gene at the time of conception. Genetic make-up is unique in nature. The health is possible potentialities of his genetic heritage.

Environment

It transforms genetic potentialities into phenotypic realities. If the environment is favorable to the individual, he can make full use of his physical and mental capabilities.

   a. Internal environment: Pertains to every cell of the body,

which has to function perfectly and harmonious in nature.

It is a domain of internal medicine.

    b. External environment (Macro environment): Where the

child will have interaction of varied factors (physical,

biological, psychosocial components) after birth.

c. Micro environment (Domestic / family environment):

Includes ways of living, life style.

d. Standard of living:

e. Life style:

f. Socio-economic conditions:

G. Education:

H. Occupation:

i. Political system:

j. Health services.

Social Factors Affecting Health Status:

Social situations and social environment will have influence on the occurrence of disease, prevention of illness and health maintenance. Unhealthy life styles and high-risk behavior predisposes sicknesses such as cancer, AIDS and heart disease. For healthier life maintenance, modification of life style is required. Societies have to organize their resources to cope with health hazards and deliver medical care to the population.

Social Factors Affecting Illness:

Deviation in the normal functioning of the body produces discomfort or adversely affects the individual's health status. Every society has certain norms, values, ideals in regard to

health and disease, deviation from which is treated as an aberration or a disease. Diseases occurs due to various factors such as invasion by microbes or other pathogenic agents which disturbs the haemostatic balance and results in malfunctioning of organs, low standards of living, poor environmental sanitation, poor housing, bad habits like smoking and alcoholism, inadequate nutrition, low economy, poverty, contamination of food, water with industrial effluents, air pollution, poor urban planning, deprived of family relationships, inadequate physical activities, defective lifestyle, sexual harassment, unemployment, rapid economic growth, over population, job strain, occupational maladjustment, migration and healthy comparisons, illiteracy, discrimination, misunderstandings, stress, large gaps in income, inadequate access to healthy foods,

Social factors affects diseases at three levels:

1. Physical level: The social class, environment, nutrition, housing, etc. are responsible for the occurrence of disease.

2. Psycho-social level: The prevalence of mental stress and strain resulting from specific environmental factors.

3. Cultural level: Social milieu, attitudes, beliefs, psychosomatic factors, etc. affects the disease pattern and in implementation of preventive and therapeutic modalities. Social environment affects different attitudes among various cultural groups about seeking medical and health care.

Role of Physiotherapist in society:

The health care services (preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and restorative) bringing closure to the doorstep of the community, who require the services at most, more

particularly to the weaker, deprived sections of the interior corners of society. The physiotherapist should shoulder the responsibilities specially for the provision of care in the

community, thus acting as a changing agent in bringing good quality-of-life to the people at large.

Direct Health Care Provider to the Community:

The physiotherapist, who is working in the community should conduct domiciliary visits, observe the pattern of living, practices of the families, there by they can be able to identify

family health problems and meet the health and well-being needs of the members in the family by adopting principles of community health process and by implementing therapeutics

models. Therapists should orient the community the importance of health maintenance and qualitative living. Therapists should be sensitive to the individual health needs

in the context of broader social changes. Therapist will act as a direct health care provider in meeting the health needs of the community by implementing appropriate, suitable therapeutic interventions.

As a health educator

To achieve 'Health For All' and to attain social development, therapists should carry out health educational activities and conduct health awareness campaigns to make the community to understand the importance of health by practicing good

health life styles and develops healthy behavior. Therapist should focus the social consequences of illness and its effects and they should motivate the community to actively participate and involve in planning and implementing health care programs for the attainment of qualitative life. Therapist has to educate the public to identify and fulfill their health needs.

Manager and Supervisor

The therapists will act as a community organizer and leaders in planning organizing and implementing health services through community participation.

HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT:

Heredity and environment both play an important role in developing the personality of the child.

Importance of Heredity and Environment:

Both are important for molding the life and personality of the child. One competes the other. Heredity — in born traits, instincts, IQ, reflex action, etc. Environment — for the growth and

Development of all physical, mental traits and social traits. Both are complementary to each other, like seed and soil, ship and sea. Both are required for individual development.

Heredity — Raw material out of which the child is to be

developed.

Environment — The technique and other material for the

proper manufacture of the child into a good citizen.

Conclusion: -

So from the above discussion it can be concluded that Sociology plays a vital role in the healthfulness of a man.As health is affected by the factors of community and society such as a healthy and a good standards of living maake a man healthy.On the contrary, a malfunction and a poor living standard has bad effects on health.

Similarly, in Physiotherapy if a patient has good relations with physiotherapist and the patient feel free to share his feelings and thoughts with physiotherapist, then in that environment patient can recover soon rather than a strict environment.

GARLIC | BENEFITS OF GARLIC | NUTRIENTS IN GARLIC | ALLICIN | ALLIIN

 GARLIC

Scientific name: Allium sativum

(The name Allium sativum is derived from the two words , i.e “all" a Celtic word means  “burning or stinging “ and the “sativum" a Latin word means planted or cultivated. 

TAXONOMIC HIERARCHY OF ALLIUM SATIVUM 

                 Kingdom: Plantae 

                   Sub kingdom: Viridiplantae 

                     Infra kingdom: Streptophyta

                       Super division: Embryophyta

                         Division: Tracheophyta

                           Sub division: Spermatophytina

                             Class: Magnoliopsida 

                               Super order: Lilianae 

                                 Order: Asparagales

                                   Family: Amaryllidaceae

                                     Genus: Allium 

                                       Species: Allium sativum

Garlic (also known as a Russian penicillin: as it is anti bacterial agent), is a bulb of plant Allium sativum and belongs to Lilianceae. Garlic bulb consists of many individual cloves in a thin white layer and sometimes in purple coloured skin.

Garlic is used in almost every cuisine around the world. Garlic has a pungent smell to some extent because of sulfur compounds present in it. It adds a very good flavour to our meal and has many positive effects on human health. 

Garlic has many medicinal uses and is very beneficial to humans. From centuries, more than 3000 years ago, it is used in raw or cooked formed in Egypt, China, India, Greece and in many other territories around the world to cure and prevent many diseases.

Garlic is beneficial to humans in many ways: 

• Garlic is used as infection warrior. 

• Garlic is used to scavenge free radicals to inhibit the aging process. 

• Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. So it helps our body to combat different type of diseases. In short, garlic has many immune boosting properties and this is mainly because of a sulfur containing compound called as Alliin (which metabolized to allicin).

• Garlic is used to treat many upper respiratory tract infestations, such as chronic bronchitis, influenza and even helpful to combat COVID-19.

• Garlic is rich in antioxidants, so it helps to lower blood cholesterol level. But it doesn’t interact with LDL (low density lipoprotein). Hence, the concentration of LDL remains unaffected. 

• Garlic slows down the hardening of arteries. 

• Garlic lowers the blood pressure and makes it thin by lowering the concentration of fibrin and platelets in blood.

• Garlic is the best diet to cure common cold and flu.

• Garlic is used to prevent breast, stomach, colorectal and prostate cancer.

[ HOW DO GARLIC EFFECTS VARIOUS PHENOMENAS IN HUMAN BODY / HOW DO GARLIC HELPS TO CURE DIFFERENT DISEASES AND IMPROVE MANY OF REGULAR METABOLIC PROCESSES IN HIMANS ]

• Garlic has abundance of nutrients which are essential to humans in many ways:

1. Garlic contains large amount of minerals, which include germanium, selenium, magnesium, calcium, copper, iron, potassium, zinc and tellerium. 
2. Garlic contains many vitamins, which include Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, and Vitamin C.
3. Garlic contains many sugars including fructose, glucose, and galactose. 
4. Garlic contains 17 amnio acids which are essential to living body. These amnio acids include lysine, histidine, arginine, aspartic acid, threonine, glutamine, proline, glycine, alanine, cysteine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, tryptophan and phenylalanine. 
5. Garlic is packed with 33 sulfur compounds which are higher in concentration than any of the Allium specie.   These compounds include alliin, ajoene, DADS, DATS, SAC, DAS ,saponins and many others.

• Biological effects of garlic are characteristic are assigned to its organosulfur compounds. A compound called as Allicin, discovered by Cavallito and Bailey in 1944 is responsible for many characteristics of garlic including its pungent smell. Allicin (Diallyl thiosulfate) chemically known as 2-propene-1-sulfinothioc acid S-2-propenyl ester.

Allicin doesn’t exist in garlic until it is crushed or got injured. When a garlic bulb or clove got an injury an enzyme ALLINASE activates in the garlic which metabolize alliin (a amnio acid based on cysteine present in garlic) into allicin.

ALLIIN

                  

 ALLICIN 

Allicin further metabolizes into compounds like DAS, DADS, DATS, methyl trisulfide, ajoene and many other compounds rapidly on heating and in few hours at room temperature. Allicin can diffuse easily into lumen of blood vessels or into the cytoplasm of cells including RBC's.

• Garlic is the healthiest component of our meal to prevent cancer. There are many compounds found in garlic which are anti-cancerous. These anti-cancer compounds are divided into two categories. One category includes lipid soluble compounds like diallyl sulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS) and the other category includes water soluble compounds like glutamate (S-allyl cysteine). In garlic, these compounds can prevent cancer in many ways i.e by inhabiting / preventing mutagenesis, cell proliferation, DNA adduct formation, tumor enlargement and  by stopping  different enzyme activities. 

The AGE garlic (sliced or raw garlic stored in 15% ethanol for about 18 months) is the most suitable form of garlic to prevent different forms of cancer. This AGE garlic acts in different ways to block prostate cancer growth. S-allyl mercaptocysteine (in garlic) stops the growth of breast cancer cells. It helps in eradication of erythroleukemia and colorectal cancer. Mercaptocysteine helps to stop these types of cancer by disrupting cell division which cause apoptosis. 

• Researches have proved the vasoactive ability of garlic, because of its sulfur compounds, mainly allicin. Allicin is the major bioactive substance which lowers blood pressure upto 16mmHg in a few hours. 
•  High level of platelets and fibrin in blood causes it to thickens and become a major reason of various cardiovascular problems and heart attack. 

A sulfur containing compound called as Ajoene reduces the concentration of fibrin in blood ( by decreasing their formation and damaging the existing one in blood ). As, ajoene is the product formed by metabolism of allicin, so it doesn't exist in raw garlic. 

• Garlic is also regarded as the best immune booster. It increases the immune response by increasing macrophages activity, because of its many sulfur containing amino acids. Germanium is also a companion of amino acids in boosting immune response. 
• Garlic has also positive effects in lowering blood cholesterol level. It shows high resistance to the formation of HDL but is less efficient in suppressing the formation and concentration of LDL. 
• Garlic also helps our body i.e stomach, esophagus, colon,mammary glands and lungs in protection against carcinogens. This is because of the presence of organosulfur compounds, and predominantly allyl derivatives which detoxifies the effect of carcinogens.
• Garlic has been proven very helpful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, as it lowers the blood glucose level. 
• Garlic is the best preventive measure against fungal infections. The best anti-fungal agent found in garlic is Ajoene. A review on a report from Chinese medical journal delineates shows the use of intravenous garlic to treat a potentially fatal and rare fungal infection of the brain called as Cryptococcus meningitis. Here, the effectiveness of garlic was compared with a very toxic antibiotic called as Amphotericin and seen that intravenous garlic was more effective than the drug and seems to be non- toxic. 
• Garlic (aged garlic) acts as anti-oxidant because it increases the serum level of antioxidants enzymes such as catalase and glutathione peroxide. Allicin is the most active component in scavenging free radicals and act as antioxidant. Because of its antioxidant effect it slows the process of aging. 

ANATOMY | DEFINITION OF ANATOMY | TYPES OF ANATOMY

 Anatomy 

Definition of anatomy 

Anatomy is the study of structure and form of human body.

There are two types of anatomy: 

1- Gross anatomy 

 Gross anatomy is the study of anatomy at the visible or macroscopic level. 

2- Microscopic level 

Microscopic anatomy (micro: small) is a branch of anatomy that relies on the use of microscope to examine the smallest structures of the body; tissues, cells, organelles and molecules . This study of tissues is called as histology. 

ESOMEPRAZOLE | DISEASES CURED BY ESOMEPRAZOLE | COMPOSITION OF ESOMEPRAZOLE CAPSULES

ESOMEPRAZOLE 

IUPAC name of esomeprazole

5-methoxy-2-{[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl pyridine-2-yl)methyl]sulfinyl}-1-H-benzimidazole

Molecular formula 

C17H19N3O3S

Molecular mass

345.4g/mol

Esomeprazole (inexium paranova) belongs to the class of organic compounds known as sulfinylbenzimidazole. It is the S- enantiomer of omeprazole. Sulfinylbenzimidazole are polycyclic aromatic compounds containing a sufinyl group.  

Esomeprazole is sold as medicine under the brand name Nexium and is far more effective than its R-enantiomer omeprazole.  

 

MEDICAL USUAGE OF ESOMEPRAZOLE 

Esomeprazole belongs to the proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) class of medicine . It performs gastric proton inhibitor activity. In parietal cells, esomeprazole is protonated and converted into the active achiral sulfenamide, which makes disulphide bonds with proton pump , hydrogen-potassium adenosine triphosphate (H+/K+ ATPase), hence inhabiting the secretion H+ ions of parietal cells into the gastric lumen . This inhibition of H+ ion secretion is done in the last step of acid 

DISEASES CURED BY USING ESOMEPRAZOLE 

Esomeprazole is used to treat the following diseases. 

1. GERD( gastroesophageal reflux disease) 

It is the backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and possible injury of the esophagus in adults oldersl and children 1 year of age. It is caused when lower esophageal sphincter( LES ) relaxes too often or for too long then, the backward movement of acid into esophagus causes heartburn. If GERD is left untreated, it lead to esphagitis and Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition.  It’s symptoms include coughing, frequent clearing of the throat, difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) , regurgitation of food or digestive fluids, hoarseness, or exacerbation. 

2. Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome 

It is the condition in which one or more tumors form in pancreas or the ipper part of your small intestine (duodenum).These tumors called gastrinomas secrete oarge amounts if gastrin hormone which Ultimate stimulates stomach to produce huge amount of gastric juice which Ultimately contains acid. The excessive gastric juice secretions which contains high amount of acid which then leads to pelvic ulcers,as well as diarrhea and other symptoms. 

 

3. To prevent infection caused by the usage of NSAIDs 

NSAIDs cause injury to the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract from accute or kinor lesions to such as pectechia or erosions to more serious and chronic lesions such as ulcers, which lead to bleeding or perforation. 

The infection caused by NSAIDs recover through a process called a restitution. If the damage don't penetrate muscularis mucosa,the infection can be cure in 1-3 days by proliferation and resteblishment of the glandular structures. Platelets play an important role in ulcer healing as they contain wide range of growth factors to which they deliver at the site of tissue damage. 

            

4. To cure infection by H.pylori 

Helicopterbectar pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that causes chronic infection in lower gastrointestinal tract I.e stomach and duodenum and is responsible for majority of peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis. Chronic gastritis is the inflammation of stomach lining which ultimately leads to stomach cancer. H.pylori secretes a cytotoxin A (Vac-A) which becomes the major cause of stomach cancer .

 

Qualitative and Quantitative Composition of esomeprazole 

Nexium (esomeprazole) is available for oral administration as; 

• Nexium capsules 20mg  

Each capsule contains :

Enteric-coated pellets of Esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate equivalent to Esomeprazole…..20mg

• Nexium capsules 40mg 

Each capsule contains ;

Enteric-coated pellets of esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate equivalent to esomeprazole,...40mg

GINGER | BENEFITS OF GINGER | USES OF GINGER | GINGEROL

GINGER 

Scientific name: ZINGIBER OFFICINALE 

TAXONOMIC HIERARCHY OF ZINGIBER OFFICINALE 

             Kingdom: Plantae 

               Sub kingdom: Viridiplantae 

                 Infra kingdom: Streptophyta

                   Super division: Embryophyta 

                     Division: Tracheophyta 

                       Sub division: Spermatophytina 

                         Class: Magnoliopsida

                           Super order: Lilianae 

                             Order: Zingiberales

                               Family: Zingiberaceae

                                 Genus: Zingiber 

                                   Specie: Zingiber officinale

Ginger or ginger root is a thick stem or rhizome of ZINGIBER OFFICINALE plant (a flowering plant) which is native to Southeast Asia. 

Ginger has great impacts on our health and have many medicinal uses. Before the advancements in medical science or even for now. Ginger is used as medicine and ginger tea is one the best example of its medicinal uses.

• For centuries it is used to treat common cold or flu. Because of anti-viral properties of ginger it is used to treat many infectious diseases and even cancer. 

• Ginger is also used to cure sore throat , because of its anti-inflammatory properties .

• Ginger helps to maintain a healthy gut thereby improving our immune system. 

• Ginger have also positive effects on ailments like obesity, heart diseases, diabetes and cancer because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  

[ HOW DO GINGER EFFECTS VARIOUS PHENOMENAS IN HUMAN BODY / HOW DO GINGER HELP TO CURE DIFFERENT DISEASES AND IMPROVE MANY OF REGULAR METABOLIC PROCESSES IN HIMANS ]

• Ginger is packed with GINGEROLS, PARADOLS, SESQUITERPENES, SHOGAOLS AND ZINGORENE . Due to these compounds ginger has high contents of heat and energy. In ginger, GINGEROL is the major bioactive substance, a relative of capsaicin.

GINGEROL:

Gingerols are oily liquids in appearance. These are the phenolic compounds present in ginger. 

CHEMICAL STRUCTUR OF GINGEROL 

Due to the presence of beta-hydroxy ketones group, gingerols are highly THERMOLABILE and undergo dehydration readily (to form shogaols) .

Gingerols are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in nature. Due to gingerols, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of ginger are ranked at first ti boost immune system. Gingerols are majorly found in roots of the plant ( Zingibe officinale ). So, fresh roots of ginger is an efficient way to get rid of diseases like nausea, gut impairment like diarrhoea, diabetes and many viral diseases and even cancer. 

As, ginger has anti-cancerous characteristics because of gingreol, therefore ginger prevents the formation of tumors in small intestine , and this activity is also suppressed by gingerol.

• Ginger has a vital role in destroying free radicals produced in the body during various metabolic process, combating diseases or infections and detoxifying inhaled toxins. Antioxidants in ginger destroy these free radicals and make us free from diseases like cancer and many degenerative diseases like arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases, also slows down the aging process (due to removal of free radicals ).

• Ginger has proven antibacterial and antiviral properties. A review, published in the INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE, researchers summarized that the most efficient anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger which are in its roots have key powers to combat with cold and flu. Because cold/flu can cause swollen throat glands i.e inflammation and inflammation badly suppresses the normal immune response of our body. So, the anti-inflammatory substances of ginger in this condition help to decrease inflammation and enhance immunity.

• Ginger has also anti-cancerous properties. 

• The high content of fibers in ginger also helps to lose weight and maintain a healthy gut. As, healthy gut is an assurance of a healthy mind and body.

BROCCOLI | USES OF BROCCOLI | BENEFITS OF BROCCOLI

 BROCCOLI  

Scientific name : Brassica oleracea var. italica

Taxonomic hierarchy of Brassica oleracea var. italica 

Domain: Eukaryota 

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum : Spermatophyta

Subphylum : Angiospermae

Class : Dicotyledonae

Order : Capparidales

Family: Brassicaceae

Genus : Brassica

Specie : Brassica oleracea var.  italica 

Origin: Italy (discovered 2000 years ago)

Broccoli is the healthiest vegetable we can take as food and immunity booster. Broccoli is a superfood enriched with vitamins, minerals, fibers, antioxidants and phytochemicals. 

The best way to take it is in raw form,so as to take or utilize maximum of its nutrients. If s9meone want to cook it, then cook it as little as possible  to keep the nutrients intact. Researches have shown that steaming is the best way to keep the nutrients intact in Broccoli. 

[HOW DO BROCCOLI HAS BENEFICIAL EFFECTS ON OUR HEALTH]

• Some important nutrients that are present in broccoli 

Broccoli is a potent source of minerals like potassium, iron, zinc, phosphorus,  magnesium and folate ions, vitamins like vitamin A, C and E, phytochemicals include carotenoids and many others.

• According to a research in The University of California in Los Angeles , researchers reported that broccoli can be a great diet to prevent cold majorly because of vitamin C. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables (these are the vegetables that belong to Brassicaceae family and include vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale) and have proven to boost up the immunity. 

VITAMIN C is essential for immune system’s function because it helps to stimulate the formation of antibodies. 

• A chemical called as sulforaphane , present in broccoli  turns on antioxidant gene and enzymes in specific immune cells which combat free radicals in human body and prevent from getting sick. 
• Broccoli is also a good source of lutein. Lutein is a powerful antioxidant, and sulforaphane which is a potent antioxidant. Lutein is one of 600 known naturally occurring carotenoid found in high quantities in green leaf vegetables such as spinach and kale. Broccoli has abundance of dietary fibers which helps to improve digestive system. 

Why it’s important not to overcook broccoli? 

Broccoli contains a sulforaphane, a gas that is a killer to bug in garden and in the body. Sulforaphane is a sulphur-rich compound present in abundance in cruciferous vegetables like bok-choy, cabbage, and kale and most abundant in Broccoli. 

Broccoli protects its plant also from bug bites. When an invader like bug tries to bite the plant body of broccoli that is stalk, buds, leafs ,flowering buds , Broccoli releases sulphur gas here to kill the invader thereby protecting the plant. 

While cooking, broccoli has a small like that of sulphur. This smell is produced by the sulforaphane. 

It shows that while cooking sulforaphane decomposes into sulphur and its compounds. In this way broccoli lost many of its nutrients and powerful components while cooking. The healthier compounds which are essential to our body and have to be utilized in human body,starts decomposing out of the body. Hence , broccoli won’t remain as much beneficial as it is in raw form. 

In short, boiling leach all the essential nutrients out of the broccoli and many other green vegetables like spinach and kale. So the best way to utilise Broccoli is in raw form .