India to help boost health care

Indian companies will help set up specialist hospitals in Kenya to help save on costs incurred by Kenyans travelling abroad for treatment.

President Kenyatta and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to work together in the transfer of skills to strengthen Kenya’s capacity to provide specialised health services, to lower the burden of seeking treatment abroad.

The two leaders spoke when they held bilateral talks Wednesday at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

President Kenyatta particularly welcomed India’s partnership in oncology and cardiology, saying the move would make the services more accessible to Kenyans.

He observed that as much as some Kenyans could afford the cost of medical care in India, the cost of accommodation and travel was still a big headache to most people.

“If Indian companies could develop similar facilities in Kenya, you would ease the pressure on Kenyans seeking treatment in India while at the same time expand your businesses,” said Mr Kenyatta.

PM Modi appreciated Kenya’s support to the development of India’s health sector, citing the large number of Kenyans who seek treatment in his country.

President Kenyatta is in New Delhi to attend the third India-Africa Forum Summit that opens on Thursday.

Five junk food products that are actually good for you

Junk foods are considered to be a strict no-no when it comes to dieting or managing your weight. Your conscience tells you to avoid it, while your heart shamelessly urges you to reach out for those delicious bites of carbohydrates and fat.

Dieticians and consultants stand fast by their statements that junk food should be avoided at all costs. But what they probably don't tell you and what most people aren't aware of is that there are certain junk-foods that actually do more good than harm to your body.

I'm sure that made you take notice. Well, time to pay attention, because, we are listing down five such junk foods and junk-food products that offer loads of health benefits. Take a look!

1. Chocolates:

We know you were probably wishing this would be a part of the list and here it is! Yes, chocolates are actually good for health, if taken in moderation, of course. Why? Because they help you live longer. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers have found that chocolates are high in polyphenols which is known to reduce the risk of mortality by 30% compared to those diets which contain less amounts. Dark chocolate lovers? No problem. No need to lose heart because that's even better. Apart from being good for your heart, dark chocolate is loaded with flavonoids, the compound that is also present in green tea and red wine. So, don't give it another thought. Go for the sinful indulgence!

2. Sour cream:

Surprised? Before you start ticking off points that negates its values, you'll feel better when you hear this. Even though, almost 90% of sour cream is fat (yes, we know that), but it's total amount is not half as bad. A serving of sour cream is generally two full tablespoons which makes it about 52 calories. That's half the amount present in a single tablespoon of mayonnaise and less saturated fat than you'd get from drinking a 12-ounce glass of 2 % reduced-fat milk. That got you thinking, right? No need to feel guilty while having some!

3. Popcorn:

You'll go to the movies more often after this! Agreed that it's low on calories, but that doesn't mean it's lacks nutrition as well. This movie staple has high levels of polyphenols and antioxidants that can protect against heart disease and certain cancers. As long as it comes without added flavours, you don't need to control the foodie in yourself.

4. Beer:

Junk beverage would be a suitable term here. Nonetheless, beer is actually good for health. Offering 150-200 calories per serving, beer is great if consumed in moderation. The antioxidant levels in beer are equivalent to that of wine and it's a significant source of silicon, a key ingredient for increasing bone mineral density. So, bottom's up, people!

5. Ketchup:

Love ketchup? Had to go off it for weight-watching purposes? If yes, then this one's for you. Those who feel that everything tastes like cardboard without this tomato-ey goodness, here's some good news! Ketchup is loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. There you go! Now you are free to spice up your dishes!

Almost-fit Ashwin ready to rock SA

India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes he is close to full fitness and is confident of delivering with the ball in the forthcoming four-Test series against South Africa, starting in Mohali on November 5. 
The Tamil Nadu bowler was ruled out of the One-day series after suffering a side strain in the first ODI at Kanpur. 
Following the loss in the T20 and the ODI series, India will heavily rely on Ashwin to help the team get back to winning ways in the longest format of the game. “I’m close to achieving full fitness and I’m feeling fine. I’m confident of bowling well in the series,” said Ashwin. “It is not that we played poorly. We fought our way back into the ODI series brilliantly after trailing 1-2. We levelled the series 2-2 and it was up to the last match in Mumbai where anything could have happened.” 
Speaking on the upcoming Test series, he said, “It will be a close contest. South Africa is an excellent side and they have adapted to the conditions very well. It will be a tough challenge and we will be up for it.” 
Ashwin, who is the only Indian Test bowler to be ranked in the top-10 of the ICC rankings at No. 8, feels the wickets so far have aided the batsmen. “I am not taking away any credit from the batsmen but I believe they have been scoring runs on wickets that have aided batting. Bowlers need to be given wickets that are helpful to them. I want to see batsmen scoring runs on wickets that aid bowlers,” he said. 
The spinner backed his teammates, saying that the young players need more time to settle down. “There are no weaknesses in the Indian side. We are a young side which is gaining experience. There are only a few players who have played over 100 ODIs, so this team needs to be given more time.” 

Back pain at work? Simple tips for relief

Most people, specially those who have to sit long hours at work, struggle with back pain – whether it's dull and achy or sharp and stabbing, it hurts.

It is said that back pain may make you less productive, which in turn can hamper your career as well.

Understanding what causes back pain and taking steps to prevent it can make this crippling pain vanish.

Here are some helpful measures that can help ease back pain while at work:

·Make sure that you pay attention to your posture while sitting in front of a computer.

·Avoid sitting for long periods in front of a computer.

·Take frequent short breaks – if possible, try taking a five minute walking break every hour.

·Make sure you change your posture as much as you can, rise up and stretch whenever you feel tired.

·Choose a chair that is comfortable and support your back as well as that allows you to rest both feet flat on the floor and shoulder-width apart.

·         When sitting, try to position your knees at 90 degrees, directly over your ankles to keep your spine comfortably upright.

·Don't sit with your legs crossed. It will make difficult to keep your spine straight and shoulders squared, thereby worsening back pain.

·Place your system at an optimal level so that you don't have to contort your head and neck to work on it.

·Keep your screen at eye level about an arm’s length away. You mouse should be kept right next to your keyboard.

·Try to keep your weight balanced on your feet while standing.

·If you have to speak on the phone frequently, use a headset or speakerphone to avoid bending your head and neck which will only aggravate the pain.

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Raise smoking age to 21 and regulate e-cigs, pediatricians urge

Most people who smoke started in their teens. While the number of kids trying tobacco for the first time has declined since the 1970s, there are still new smokers every year and kids' doctors want to do something about it.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) came out with a strong new policy statement that urges policymakers to raise the minimum age people could buy nicotine products, be they cigarettes or e-cigarettes, to 21.

Related: Are e-cigarettes a gateway device or a way to quit?

The public health benefits of barring people under age 21 from buying these products could be tremendous, including "4.2 million fewer years of life lost" among the next generation of American adults, according to a report released in March by the Institute of Medicine.

Setting a new minimum age nationwide, that study estimated, would result in nearly a quarter-million fewer premature deaths and 50,000 fewer deaths from lung cancer among people born between 2000 and 2019. Teenagers, especially those between ages 15 and 17, are most vulnerable to becoming addicted at a time when their brains are still developing.

The study, conducted at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, studied the predicted benefits of raising the minimum legal age for buying tobacco products -- currently 18 in most states -- to 19, 21, and 25 years. The greatest health benefits would actually come from raising the legal age even higher to 25, at which point the report estimates the prevalence of smokers among today's teens, when they become adults, would decline by 16%.

The number of people who would not smoke if the age limit was raised to 21 is still significant. It's estimated smoking rates would fall to 12%.

Even though fewer teenagers are using tobacco than ever before, more than half of current smokers say they started smoking before they were 18, studies show. And the number of teens who tried e-cigarettes and hookahs tripled in one year. The AAP policy statement urges the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration to regulate e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems the same as other tobacco products.

Chris Hansen of the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network praised the study when it came out in March, saying "powerful interventions are needed to keep youth from lifelong addictions to these deadly products."

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement calling the report "a crucial contribution to the debate on tobacco access for young people."

"There is no safe way to use tobacco," said Dr. Sandra G. Hassink, the academy's president.

The FDA cannot raise the age limit nationwide. The minimum age in four states is 19, and in several local jurisdictions including New York City have raised the legal age to 21.

Historically, the tobacco industry has called for"responsible" consumption of tobacco products.

Companies should create more child-resistant packaging to keep curious kids from drinking the liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes, the AAP policy statement also said. In 2014, there were more than 3,000 e-cigarette calls to U.S. poison centers. As little as half a teaspoon can kill an average-size toddler, according to the AAP. Liquid nicotine is extremely toxic when ingested on its own.

"Tobacco is unique among consumer products in that it severely injures and kills when used exactly as intended," states the AAP policy statement. "Protecting children from tobacco products is one of the most important things that a society can do to protect children's health."

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