Living in a polluted city? Even low levels of smog can damage heart and lead to failure
Regular exposure to even low levels of air pollution may trigger heart-related problem, says a study.
By PTI |
LONDON: Regular exposure to even low levels of air pollution may cause changes to the heart similar to those in the early stages of heart failure, a study warns. The researchers from the Queen Mary University of London in the UK studied data from around 4,000 participants in the UK.
"We saw significant changes in the heart, even at relatively low levels of air pollution exposure," said Nay Aung, who led the data analysis published in the journal Circulation.
Volunteers provided a range of personal information, including their lifestyles, health record and details on where they have lived.
The Smog Can Choke You: Eat These Five Foods To Protect Yourself
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Changing weather and a thick layer of smog can result in various kinds of illnesses like common cold, sore throat, ceaseless cough and other respiratory problems.
While staying hydrated and working out is a must, one must consume the right foods to boost their immunity.
Dolly Kumar, founder and director at Gaia, and a wellness enthusiast, shares benefits of five foods that help build immunity and keep you healthy in the changing season.
Changing weather and a thick layer of smog can result in various kinds of illnesses like common cold, sore throat, ceaseless cough and other respiratory problems.
While staying hydrated and working ..
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Bugged with a sore throat and the medicines just don't work? Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, honey is proven to have a soothing effect on sore throat.
Grate half a ginger, add a spoonful of honey, and voila! You have the perfect home-made remedy for sore throat.
A spoonful of honey in warm water is one of the perfect ingredients to solve many health problems like high blood pressure, blood purification, etc.
Bugged with a sore throat and the medicines just don't work? Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, honey is proven to have a soothing effect on sore throat.
Grate half a ginger, add a spoonfu..
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Neem has blood purifying properties which helps clear toxins and impurities from the blood. It also helps boost the immune system while cooling down the body, internally.
Neem also possesses both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help keep the skin clean, radiant and healthy.
Neem has blood purifying properties which helps clear toxins and impurities from the blood. It also helps boost the immune system while cooling down the body, internally.
Neem also possesses both an..
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The best way to keep yourself nourished from the inside is to indulge in a bowl of oats. Rich in dietary fibre and protein, oats are a low-calorie food that keeps you fuller for longer.
Oats also help manage cholesterol levels, maintain healthy body weight, and reduce the risk of blood sugar and diabetes.
The best way to keep yourself nourished from the inside is to indulge in a bowl of oats. Rich in dietary fibre and protein, oats are a low-calorie food that keeps you fuller for longer.
Oats also he..
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Reach out for a warm cup of green tea and give your body the best detox it needs.
Green tea contains various powerful anti-oxidants and nutrients that regulate blood sugar, improve brain function and enhance metabolism.
This 'super-drink' also has essential minerals, bioactive compounds and fat-burning qualities that helps you stay in shape.
Reach out for a warm cup of green tea and give your body the best detox it needs.
Green tea contains various powerful anti-oxidants and nutrients that regulate blood sugar, improve brain function an..
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Olive oil is rich in mono-saturated fatty acids and has a light texture that works as a great alternative to regular cooking oil.
Packed with anti-oxidants, it also reduces the risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer.
Olive oil is rich in mono-saturated fatty acids and has a light texture that works as a great alternative to regular cooking oil.
Packed with anti-oxidants, it also reduces the risk of cancer, type ..
Heart MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) was used to measure the size, weight and function of the participants' hearts at fixed times.
There was a clear association between those who lived near loud, busy roads, and were exposed to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) or PM2.5 - small particles of air pollution - and the development of larger right and left ventricles in the heart.
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The ventricles are important pumping chambers in the heart and, although these participants were healthy and had no symptoms, similar heart remodelling is seen in the early stages of heart failure, researchers said.
Secret To A Happy Life! Smart Lifestyle Changes Can Keep Your Heart Healthy
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In times when lifestyle induced diseases are on the rise, it becomes important to understand the risk factors and work in the direction to eradicate them especially, if one has a family history of heart diseases.
Here are five smart ways listed by Anjali Malhotra, Chief Customer Marketing and Digital Officer Aviva Life insurance to prevent heart problems in today's busy life.
In times when lifestyle induced diseases are on the rise, it becomes important to understand the risk factors and work in the direction to eradicate them especially, if one has a family history of he..
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In order to keep your heart healthy, it is important to indulge in exercise each day.
A daily exercise schedule in any form of physical activity for a period of 30-45 minutes is crucial to ensure that the arteries remain flexible.
Small changes in your physical activity can help in bringing positive change in your routine.
Studies have shown that brisk walking may add about two hours to the life expectancy of some adults.
Few changes in lifestyle such as taking the stairs instead the elevator, parking at the furthest end of a parking lot and taking a break from the office for a short walk during your lunch hour help in keeping the body in shape and inculcating a habit of healthy living.
In addition, few yoga asanas such as Virbhadrasana, Tadasana, Utkatasana, Bhujangasana and Vrikshasana also helps in preventing heart problems. If you practice these five yoga postures daily, you can reduce substantial risk of heart problems.
In order to keep your heart healthy, it is important to indulge in exercise each day.
A daily exercise schedule in any form of physical activity for a period of 30-45 minutes is crucial to ensure th..
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Eating right is the key to a healthy heart and a healthy life. However, majority of us tend to ignore it.
What you eat directly affects your heart. Therefore, ensure the intake of green and leafy vegetables, exclude sugar and aerated drinks from your diet, replace sweetened beverages with water as much as possible and bring down the intake of processed foods and refined flour.
Too much sodium can also cause excess fluid in the body that puts an extra strain on your heart. Therefore, it is best to adapt to variety of spices, herbs and flavours that are an alternative to salt.
Also, exclude red meats from the diet in order to avoid bad cholesterol. Keep the intake of oil and sugar minimal which will further help in reducing the risk of heart problems.
Eating right is the key to a healthy heart and a healthy life. However, majority of us tend to ignore it.
What you eat directly affects your heart. Therefore, ensure the intake of green and leafy ve..
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Excess body weight is dangerous for the heart. Keep an eye on weight as it elevates chances of getting high cholesterol levels, which may lead to diabetes, risk of artery disease, and blood pressure.
Keep a check on BMI (Body Mass Index) and maintain it to optimal levels.
Excess body weight is dangerous for the heart. Keep an eye on weight as it elevates chances of getting high cholesterol levels, which may lead to diabetes, risk of artery disease, and blood pressure...
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Smoking and alcohol will have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These habits are known to elevate blood pressure, causing irregular heartbeat and stokes.
Not only that, it leads to overall disruption in the normal functioning of the heart. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid consumption of both or consume it in moderation and gradually phase it out. It may be difficult to follow but worth the effort.
Smoking and alcohol will have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These habits are known to elevate blood pressure, causing irregular heartbeat and stokes.
Not only that, it leads t..
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Various studies have established that stress is one of the biggest triggers of heart problems. It can cause aches and pains, trigger feelings of anxiety and depression, and lower your energy.
Try and keep stress at bay. Look for activities other than work which helps keep stress levels in check.
Indulge in a hobby or a positive self-talk, listen to music or reading a good book or meditate.
These techniques have helped in reducing stress and developing a positive outlook towards work and life.
Various studies have established that stress is one of the biggest triggers of heart problems. It can cause aches and pains, trigger feelings of anxiety and depression, and lower your energy.
Try an..
Higher exposures to the pollutants were linked to more significant changes in the structure of the heart, they said.
For every one extra microgramme per cubic metre of PM2.5 and for every 10 extra microgramme per cubic metre of NO2, the heart enlarges by about one per cent, the study shows.
Globally, coronary heart disease and stroke account for approximately six in ten (58 per cent) deaths related to outdoor air pollution, the researchers said.
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This research could help explain exactly how and why air pollution affects the heart.
Air Pollution Causing Acne And Dull Skin? Quick Beauty Hacks To Get The Glow Back
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The air pollution index has reached the 'severe' mark in Delhi and neighbouring cities are enveloped in a blanket of smog. It is not easy to avoid skin problems like acne when surrounded by poor air quality.
Uma Singh, medical consultant at Ozone Organic Advantage, and The Body Shop's Head Trainer Shikhee Agrawal, share some simple, precautionary tips that will let your skin breathe.
(Image: ThinkStock Photos)
The air pollution index has reached the 'severe' mark in Delhi and neighbouring cities are enveloped in a blanket of smog. It is not easy to avoid skin problems like acne when surrounded by poor air ..
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For glowing skin, drinking a glass of water every hour is key. Try to consume eight to 10 glasses of water a day. This will remove toxins from your body, accelerating a healthy blood flow. This also helps in boosting metabolism.
For glowing skin, drinking a glass of water every hour is key. Try to consume eight to 10 glasses of water a day. This will remove toxins from your body, accelerating a healthy blood flow. This also ..
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Keeping your skin healthy is as simple as eating right. Avoid oily snacks and trans-fat food. Adding fresh fruits, green vegetables, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids to your diet will help detoxify skin.
Keeping your skin healthy is as simple as eating right. Avoid oily snacks and trans-fat food. Adding fresh fruits, green vegetables, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids to your diet will help detoxify skin.
Don't take fitness lightly. Regular exercise can help reduce stress and delivers the right amount of oxygen to the skin cells. Perspiring during workout will keep toxins away, and make your skin healthy and acne-free.
Don't take fitness lightly. Regular exercise can help reduce stress and delivers the right amount of oxygen to the skin cells. Perspiring during workout will keep toxins away, and make your skin heal..
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Avoid touching your pimples and breakouts as it triggers infection. Popping a pimple will cause skin irritated or inflamed resulting in swelling, scarring and redness. Wash hands regularly with anti-bacterial soap/hand wash before touching your face.
Apart from that, keep your face clean with facial scrubs, moisturisers and masks. Opt for an acne medication that has a potent pimple/acne reduction activity or the ability to prevent occurrence of pimples/acne.
Also, always use a sunscreen.
Avoid touching your pimples and breakouts as it triggers infection. Popping a pimple will cause skin irritated or inflamed resulting in swelling, scarring and redness. Wash hands regularly with anti-..
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Make sure you thoroughly clean your razors, blade and electric shaver. Before shaving, always soften skin with lukewarm, soapy water.
Make sure you thoroughly clean your razors, blade and electric shaver. Before shaving, always soften skin with lukewarm, soapy water.
It is extremely important to keep your hair clean and dandruff-free. Negligence can result in acne.
To protect your hair against pollution, always wear washed caps, headbands and scarves. When visiting a salon, avoid using another person's towel as it may carry infections resulting in risk of acne, redness and skin inflammation.
It is extremely important to keep your hair clean and dandruff-free. Negligence can result in acne.
To protect your hair against pollution, always wear washed caps, headbands and scarves. When visit..
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Remove make-up before going to bed as this lowers the risk of breakouts. Also, go for the minimal make-up as it lets the skin breathe and look natural.
Essential oils help in treating skin inflammations and acne. A combination of various essential oils like tea tree oil, moringa oil, lemon oil, chamomile oil and lavender oil will treat the acne effectively.
(Inputs from IANS)
Remove make-up before going to bed as this lowers the risk of breakouts. Also, go for the minimal make-up as it lets the skin breathe and look natural.
Essential oils help in treating skin inflammat..
In the study, average annual exposures to PM2.5 (8-12 microgramme per cubic metre) were well within UK guidelines (25 per cubic metre), although they were approaching or past World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines (10 microgramme per cubic metre).
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"Air pollution should be seen as a modifiable risk factor. Doctors and the general public all need to be aware of the their exposure when they think about their heart health, just like they think about their blood pressure, their cholesterol and their weight," said Aung.
How Australia, Sweden Are Paying Taxes To Curb Pollution
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By Shannon Tellis
With China levying a hefty environmental tax on businesses and public institutions that discharge pollutants in a bid to curb pollution by 2020, let’s take a look at some other countries that are also taxing their way to a better world.
By Shannon Tellis
With China levying a hefty environmental tax on businesses and public institutions that discharge pollutants in a bid to curb pollution by 2020, let’s take a look at some other cou..
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Sweden boasts of the highest carbon tax in the world — a record $168 per tonne of carbon dioxide in 2014 — leading plant owners to switch from fuel oils to biofuels. Sweden’s carbon emissions dropped 7 per cent between 1990 and 2010 and are estimated to drop even further in 2018.
Sweden boasts of the highest carbon tax in the world — a record $168 per tonne of carbon dioxide in 2014 — leading plant owners to switch from fuel oils to biofuels. Sweden’s carbon emissions dropped..
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In 1997, the Costa Rican government levied a 3.5 per cent carbon tax on gasoline and used the income to fund their unique ‘payments for ecosystem services’ (PES) program, which compensated over 8,000 landowners for growing forest cover. In a bid to be carbon neutral by 2030, the country’s government also passed an incentive package in 2017 which included lowered taxes for electric vehicles.
In 1997, the Costa Rican government levied a 3.5 per cent carbon tax on gasoline and used the income to fund their unique ‘payments for ecosystem services’ (PES) program, which compensated over 8,000..
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Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a taxpayer-funded Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). The ERF is a voluntary scheme that incentivises businesses to reduce emissions and adopt cleaner energy in exchange for a proportion of the fund. Since 2014, the scheme has secured 191.7 million tonnes of emission reductions at a cost of AUD 2.28 billion.
Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a taxpayer-funded Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). The ERF is a voluntary scheme that incentivises businesses to reduce emissions and adopt..
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According to the Dutch packaging decree of 2005, producers and importers of packaged goods are responsible for collecting and recycling of their waste. With this in mind, the Netherlands introduced a tax on carbon-based packaging in 2008 to encourage business to meet the country’s recycling targets. However, a report by the ministry of infrastructure and environment proved the tax to be ineffective and it was abolished in 2013.
According to the Dutch packaging decree of 2005, producers and importers of packaged goods are responsible for collecting and recycling of their waste. With this in mind, the Netherlands introduced a..
