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.

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.