Lifestyle
How to identify adulterated milk at home
Milk is an ideal food because it has all kinds of nutrients, but adulterated milk can cause serious damage to your body. Not only excessive water but also washing powder, carbohydrates, formalin, urea, and various chemicals are being mixed with milk. Such toxic substances cause watery eyes, irritated nose, and throat, cough, dizziness, severe skin irritation, etc. Finally, heart attack, breast and intestine cancer can occur. Even women are at risk of miscarriage due to adulterated milk. So let's get to know how to check adulterated milk to avoid this horrible loss.
Testing adulterated milk at home
Monitoring milky stain
To find out if there is water mixed in the milk, drop a drop of milk in a bright-clean sloping place. If the milk droplet forms a white line on the back while rolling, then there is no water mixed in the milk. On the other hand, if the drop of milk starts rolling fast on the sloping place without any line ensures the water in the milk.
Read: Quit Smoking: How to prevent Nicotine addiction
Verifying the viscosity
Take a drop of water on the finger or palm of your hand. Then rub it with a drop of milk like cream. If you find it a little sticky, then the milk is pure. Rubbing adulterated milk on your hands will make a feel slippery like soap.
Verifying Odor and taste
If you get the smell of soap or soda, while smelling the raw milk well, then that milk is never free from adulteration. This way you can easily recognize synthetic milk. Synthetic milk containing a variety of chemicals causes a different smell from pure milk. Moreover, pure milk is also quite sweet to eat. Contrarily, if you have adulterated milk without boiling it, you will get a slightly bitter taste.
Read:IKIGAI: The Japanese Secret to a Long Healthy life
Testing Carbohydrate’s presence
When pure milk is boiled, there is not much color difference. If the milk turns yellow as soon as it is heated, then you will understand that it has been mixed with carbohydrates.
Also, take 5 ml milk and mix 2 teaspoons of salt in it. If the milk turns bluish, then the milk must contain carbohydrates.
Read: Intermittent Fasting: Health Benefits and Risks
Solidified milk observation
Boil slowly in a bowl with some milk on low heat for at least 2-3 hours. After a certain period, the milk will lose its liquidity and turn into solidified milk at its residue. If this milk becomes rock solid, then the milk is adulterated.
Testing Urea’s presence
It is hard to detect the presence of urea in milk as the differences between pure milk and urea mixed milk are hardly visible. Here is what you can do:
Make a mixture by mixing one teaspoon of milk with one teaspoon of soybean pulse powder. Then keep stirring the mixture well for 5 minutes. Then dip a litmus paper in it. If the mixture turns from red to blue after 30 seconds, you will understand that the milk contains urea.
Read: Can I take COVID vaccines from two different brands?
Inspecting the washing powder’s presence
Nowadays you will often see the news of mixing detergent, soap powder, and shampoo in milk on TV and newspapers. To see if there is such washing powder in the milk, take 5-10 ml of milk and the same amount of water in a bottle and shake it well. If it results in long-lasting foam, then you can be sure that washing powder is mixed with milk.
Summing Up
Both creating public awareness about adulterated milk and ensuring legal action are important as well as the importance of milk in the daily diet to be included in the theme of World Dairy Day. You must be careful when buying milk for the health of you and your family.
Read Top Bangladeshi Milk and Dairy Companies, Brands
Quit Smoking: How to prevent Nicotine addiction
Everyone knows that smoking is harmful to health that increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. Knowing this, many of those who once smoked a cigarette out of curiosity later became complete smokers. Those who have been smoking for a long time, fail to quit smoking. Most chain smokers think of quitting smoking again and again but are not able to quit even after trying. However, if you are a smoker, you may follow some rules that can help you quit smoking easily. Let's take a look at some tips given by smoking cessation experts.
There are many products that can be used to recover from nicotine addiction. However, most of the products might not be available locally. Hence, it would be great if we can make a habit to leave smoking without using any products.
How to Quit Smoking Tobacco Products
Find a strong reason to stop smoking
If you want to inspire yourself or move away from something, you always need some solid reason. To get rid of the habit of smoking, you need to have a goal of your own. For example, quitting smoking greatly reduces your risk of heart disease or lung cancer, and keeps your body young even as you get older. Also, there are many more reasons you can add to your list to quit smoking. Finally, a person who is addicted to smoking can easily restrain himself if he can understand the identified issues properly.
Read Intermittent Fasting: Health Benefits and Risks
Take help from nearest and dearest ones
Tell your friends, family, and colleagues that you want to quit smoking. Tell them to encourage you. Maybe if you go to a party and grab a cigarette, it will be useful if the people around you refrain from smoking. The study says that the combined behavioral therapy is very useful in eliminating our various bad habits.
Control your stress
Many people think that smoking is especially effective in relieving their stress. In fact, it is more a matter of thought than of consumption. When a person settles his mind that smoking helps him with anxiety or emotional issues, it becomes very difficult to get rid of cigarettes very naturally. In this case, if you are stressed, all you have to do is take a break and go to a natural shelter.
For example, staying in a circle of friends to overcome depression, listening to some beautiful songs, entertaining yourself in the natural scene, etc. As a result of implementing these, you will be able to realize for a while that it is not smoking, but natural or physiological activities that will alleviate anxiety and demand balanced energy.
Read Types of Meditation: Which One is Right for You
Changes in eating habits
Having a cup of tea, with a cigarette; or smoking a little after eating a meal is like someone's daily routine. Some people hold a soft drink in their right hand and hold a cigarette in their other hand. Note that since you want to refrain from smoking, it is very important to change your eating habits for a while. For example, one can keep away from tea or soft drinks for a few days, brush one's teeth after eating rice. After a meal, chat with a friend or have a little conversation with a loved one.
Nicotine gum and Lozenges
Since regular smoking is a strong bad habit, when someone suddenly tries to refrain from smoking, the person's mental behavior or body changes in various ways. So, think of some alternatives to cigarettes. Studies show that using nicotine gum, lozenges, or chewing gum as an alternative to cigarettes can be somewhat helpful in avoiding bad habits. There are some chewing gums available in the market for quitting cigarettes that are quite effective. You can try them.
Read Muscle Building Diet: Best Foods for Muscle Gains, Definition and Fat Reduction
Seek help from a doctor
Sometimes a brain addicted to nicotine needs to consult a doctor to get rid of smoking. According to the advice, certain rules can be used to keep track of the harms of smoking, such as meditation. Alternatively, if you use cigarettes to relieve stress, think differently. With the advice of a doctor, you can take mental illness medicine instead of cigarettes.
Stop drinking alcohol
Alcohol is overly connected with smoking and it is as harmful as smoking. So drinking alcohol should be avoided. If you are an alcoholic or casual drinker, you should refrain from alcohol too.
Do physical work
Physical activity will help you quit smoking. You can start walking or jogging when you desire to smoke. Physical activity can take away your craving to smoke. Moreover, this will eliminate extra calories from your body.
Read Barbells vs. Dumbbells: Which is better for Workout, Strength, and Muscle Growth?
Some traditional methods
After smoking for a long time, nicotine goes deep into the body. There is no substitute for water to wash away the nicotine that accumulates in the body as a toxin. Drink plenty of water to quit smoking. Besides, you may eat ginger. Some of the ingredients present in it suppress the desire to smoke in various ways. You can eat ginger tea or raw ginger.
You can eat grape juice. It increases the performance of the lungs by removing toxins that accumulate in the body due to nicotine. In addition, the desire to smoke began to decrease. You can eat oats to quit smoking. Mix 1 teaspoon of oats with 2 cups of boiling water and leave it overnight. The next morning, boil again for 10 minutes and continue to eat a little after each meal. This will get nicotine out of the body. With that, the desire to smoke will also decrease.
Read Health benefits of Chamomile Tea
Eat fruits and vegetables
Under no circumstances should you refrain from healthy eating while quitting smoking. Instead, one should eat plenty of vegetables and fruits at this time. According to a study by Duke University, cigarettes start to taste bad when you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. So keep fruits and vegetables on the food list regularly.
Try again and again
If you are highly addicted to smoking, you may not stop it on the first try. Hence, there is no substitute for trying again and again to quit smoking. Set a time for yourself on how quickly you want to quit smoking. Proceed that way gradually step by step.
Also read: IKIGAI: The Japanese Secret to a Long Healthy life
Health Benefits of Different Types of Nuts
Nuts are a very popular fruit and healthy food in our country as well as all over the world. But very few people know the health benefits of different nuts. Nuts contain many more nutrients like fiber, proteins, vitamins, which help in curing various diseases. Peanuts, walnuts, pesto nuts, wood nuts (almonds), and cashews have a huge amount of dietary energy. All types of nuts are now available in our country. So, if you develop the habit of eating nuts without salt every day, you will stay healthy and fit. Let's know the nutritional value of different types of nuts.
Peanuts
Peanuts are not actually tree nuts. Rather, it belongs to the bean family. However, conventional nuts and Peanuts contain the same nutrients. Peanuts are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, D, B, healthy fats, and nutrients. It is rich in magnesium, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. The antioxidants in it maintain good health and a good mood. It helps to reduce asthma problems significantly. A handful of peanuts has 176 calories. The climate and soil of Bangladesh are quite suitable for growing peanuts. Bauphal and Vola are the two places where nuts grow more in Bangladesh. However, the average production of peanuts in Bangladesh is only 500 Kg per acre.
Read Macher Jhol in Melbourne: Transcending borders through food!
Walnuts
Walnuts are one of the most popular nuts. It has vitamins B, C, and E. Besides the vitamins it also contains iron, polyunsaturated fatty acids, magnesium, and phosphorus. Walnuts increase brain function, aid digestion, increase immunity and eliminate vitamin deficiency disease avitaminosis. Studies have also shown that walnuts help control diabetes and prevent some types of cancer.
Walnuts are a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids as well as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Eating walnuts everyday lowers bad cholesterol and maintains blood flow through the circulatory system. A handful of walnuts has 182 calories. Walnuts are produced in Bangladesh in a very small amount, but most of the country imports them to meet the demand of the urban population.
Hazelnut
Originally produced in Turkey and Italy, Hazelnut is said to be a source of minerals, vitamin E, and polyunsaturated fats. It also has a lot of carbohydrates. These nuts play a good role in protecting the heart and reducing cholesterol. Hazelnuts help reduce inflammation and lower triglyceride levels. It helps in lowering bad cholesterol as well as increasing the level of vitamin E in the blood. 100 gram of Hazelnuts contains 628 calories.
Read Intermittent Fasting: Health Benefits and Risks
Almonds
Almonds are rich in Vitamin E and Magnesium. So it keeps hair, skin, and nails well. It also keeps the metabolic process active and normalizes blood sugar. Several studies have shown that wood nuts keep insulin levels right before diabetes occurs. Besides, Almonds help lower the bad cholesterol (LDL), total cholesterol, and oxidized LDL cholesterol, all of which are bad for the heart. So it is especially beneficial for the heart. Almond has low calories that can eventually lose weight. Besides, overweight people also get benefits from Almonds as it can reduce blood pressure. Normally 161 calories are available in a handful of almonds. It grows in tropical regions from Africa to South and Southeast Asia to Australia. In Kishoreganj, some trees can be seen in many places, including Horticulture Center, Prajapatkhila, Katabaria, Latiabad, Yashodal.
Cashew Nuts
Cashew nuts are high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamin A, iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. It lowers cholesterol and boosts immunity. It also increases fertility and keeps tooth enamel strong. Regular consumption of cashew nuts eliminates many digestive problems. One study shows that a 20% calorie diet from cashews improved blood pressure in people having metabolic syndrome.
Cashew nuts have no significant effect on body weight or blood sugar levels. A handful of cashews contains 155 calories. Cashew nuts are produced in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Lalmai hills of Comilla. In the Chittagong Hill Tracts, about 400 acres of hilly land were brought under cashew cultivation in 2008. Nevertheless, cashew cultivation has been on a commercial basis in Rangamati since independence. However, a good portion of cashew nuts in Bangladesh is exported abroad.
Read: Top Mango Varieties in Bangladesh
Pine Nuts
Originally from pine trees in Europe, these nuts are high in vitamin E, antioxidants, and amino acids, which boost immunity. It is easily digested, so babies and pregnant women are advised to eat these nuts. These nuts are also useful in resolving brain problems, hair and skin problems. 100 grams of Pine nuts has 673 calories.
Pistachio
Pesto has more vitamins, amino acids, and minerals than all other nuts. It contains copper, magnesium, phosphorus, which cures vision problems and bone problems. Pistachios are high in fiber and help reduce cholesterol levels by lowering bad cholesterol. Besides, it helps raise good cholesterol (HDL). Pistachio helps improve oxidative stress, blood pressure as well as work on reducing weight. However, Oxidative stress is normally a low level of oxidized chemicals that available in the blood that help overcome heart disease. You will get 156 calories from a handful of Pistachio. It mainly grows in Central Asia and the Middle East.
Brazil nuts
Brazil nuts are found in the Amazon Forest. It contains selenium which is one kind of mineral that serves as an antioxidant. Minerals usually helps us to keep the body fit and healthy. Eating a few Brazilian nuts every day delivers 100 percent of the daily needs of selenium. Brazil nuts contain methionine, which contributes to the breakdown of fats and the generation of vital energy from them. You will get 656 calories form 100 grams Brazil nuts.
Read: Different forms of Vitamin D: Benefits, sources of Vitamin D1 vs D2 vs D3
Marcona Almonds
Marcona nuts are a kind of sweet nut from Spain and very popular in the Mediterranean countries. However, it is very popular in the USA, especially in restaurants. But nowadays it is available in retail stores. You are getting zinc, magnesium, potassium, fiber, and iron from Marcona Almonds. 100 grams of Marcona can get you 250 calories.
Final Words
Nutritionists say that, since nuts are a nutritious food, they should be eaten in moderation. Nuts should not be eaten more than 50 to 100 grams per day. However, eating too much nuts can be harmful to the body. It is a fibrous food, and it can cause stomach gas and stomach upset. In addition, nuts are a protein-rich food, and as we take protein with fish, meat and pulses. Hence, taking too much protein can be risky for kidney disease.
Read Health Benefits of Chamomile Tea
IKIGAI: The Japanese Secret to a Long Healthy life
The Japanese have greatly impacted the world with their distinctive culture for many years. Their entertainment, food, history have gotten the attention of many neighbouring countries and even regions in the west. Despite having so many unique attributes to their heritage, few can compete with Ikigai in terms of depth and meaning. More of a concept than a discipline, Ikigai has been regarded by many as an ideology that has resulted in the nation’s long life expectancy. Let us see if Ikigai, the Japanese secret to a long healthy life, is truly a solution that the world has overlooked.
What Is Ikigai?
Ikigai is an ideology of sorts that prioritizes finding your purpose and value in life. It’s pretty existential but holds moral integrity in high regard.
There are four main “pillars” that everything in the Ikigai is based on:
- what are you good at;
- what the world needs;
- what you love; and
- what you can be paid for.
In Japanese culture, work and putting in long hours are some of the most important things one can do with his or her life. Therefore, Ikigai is a mental framework that gives the average person motivation to continue every day with an objective in mind. This could either mean applying the Ikigai in the context of work, or even as a wholesome frame of mind to centre one’s self outside of the working environment.
Ikigai isn’t a framework that was created as far back as the feudal ages; in fact, the term was coined by Akihiro Hasegawa, a psychologist and professor at Toyo Eiwa University. “Iki” means life in Japanese and “Gai” means something that is deemed valuable. The ideology has seen a basic rendition of its framework in novels dating back to the 60s, but it is truly more relevant now than ever.
Read Law of Attraction: Ways to Manifest Your Dreams
Why Is Ikigai Popular?
Ikigai may have a relatively simple structure, but it’s simplicity makes it easier to navigate around life when one is overloaded with stress, anxiety or purposelessness.
Looking at what you love and what you are good at specifically, these two pillars are all about self-improvement and reflection in order to know which steps to take. It is a gateway to a more optimistic mindset that can take the form of exercise, being with nature, having gratitude, and being able to come to terms with the imperfections in life. Ikigai has been often correlated with the older generations in Japan and has often been correlated with the population’s long life span.
As the nation has recently been faced with underwhelming retirement pensions, more have opted to prolong their employment period, which is where Ikigai comes in. What you can do for the world and what you can be paid for are the more practical of the two pillars that are less prone to subjective interpretation, where any citizen can decide where they would like their career to go and how they can find meaning to it. Although working life may not be the most common way to apply Ikigai, it is still useful to consider as many Japanese spend the majority of their lives working.
Finding purpose within and without a career is where the true balance ultimately comes in as many who do eventually retire craft the will and even a sense of urgency to start a new chapter of their lives - whether that could be with a new profession or a hobby that involves loved ones.
Many are at the mercy of their worries when approaching the late stages of their career and even retirement as the future is open-ended and unknown. Ikigai helps to visualise the future as a canvas that can be painted by your dreams and goals, without an end in mind. This does explain why many Japanese in their 80s are still achieving impressive goals while preserving an optimistic mindset.
Read Types of Meditation: Which One is Right for You
Blender, Juicer Price in Bangladesh with Buying Guide
In this scorching summer, a glass of cold fruit juice or lassi gives new life and keeps the body well. Juicer is needed to make juice or lassi at home. However, a blender also works. The use of a blender/juicer machine in the kitchen has made our cooking easier. It has reduced hard work and increased security. Besides, it is also saving our time. Today's post will discuss all the issues, including the use of your blender/ juicer machine, costs for a brand, a non-brand, etc.
The things to keep in mind before buying a blender
Motor Capacity
The most important thing when buying a blender is the quality of the motor. If the quality of the motor is bad, the machine may overheat and break down, or an accident may occur. If you buy the machine to use regularly, it is better to buy a motor with 500 watts. And if you buy it for inconsequential purposes for occasional use, then it must be over 300.
Blade
Another important component of a machine is its blade. Blender blends mainly with this blade. So, you must keep this in mind when buying a machine. First, check if the blade of your machine is made of stainless steel. Because when you go to blend, most things have to be blended with liquid. As a result, if the blade is made with a normal metal, it is likely to rust and damage the blade. But stainless steel does not rust. So, you have to buy a blender with this in mind.
Read Induction Cooker price in Bangladesh with Buying Tips
Options
The third thing to keep in mind when buying a Blender is how many options you require. Nevertheless, the options are different in each blender. If you want all the blending mixing options, then the price will be higher. You select the number of options according to your needs.
Safety of the machine
When you buy your blender, check if there is an automatic option to turn off the machine from being damaged when there is extra pressure on your machine. The auto-turn-off feature protects your machine from being damaged.
Warranty
You will also require to check the warranty of your blender. And when buying, keep in mind whether your location has a servicing center. If the servicing center is not near to you, it will take a lot of trouble to fix it.
Read Top Bottled Drinking Water Brands, Companies in Bangladesh
Some of the Best Blenders and Juicers in Bangladesh
Most of Bangladesh's electrical and electronics products are imported from China, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, or Hong Kong. However, several companies in our country are already starting to make and market blender machines. Below are the top blenders in the Bangladesh market.
Walton WBL-13CC25 Blender and Juicer
Walton has gained a good reputation in the Bangladeshi market with the 'Made in Bangladesh' tag. If you are thinking of buying a good-quality blender on a low budget in Bangladesh, you can choose the Walton WBL-13CC25 blender. The medium size Walton Blender is also very nice to look at with a low-noise operation. Other features include non-slip feet, an effective cooling system, overheat protection, and more. However, its carrying capacity is 1.3 liters. The Walton WBL-13CC25 blender is priced at Tk. 1,650 in the Bangladesh market.
Hamilton Beach 51101B Personal Blender with Travel Lid
This narrow blender won't take up much space on your counter, but with a 175-watt motor, there is still plenty of power. Being budget-friendly, this blender only comes with one blade and one bar and has a single speed. But that's still enough to deal with most of the work. It will cost you Tk. 2,520.
Read Microwave Oven price in Bangladesh with Buying Tips
Magic Bullet Blender - 21 Pc Set
For your daily use, from grinding to making smoothies, you don't need an expensive heavy-duty blender. Instead, a blender with many pieces is enough. Magic Bullet Blender - 21 Pc set is a personal blender that can do everything you need to do on a daily basis. This blender is designed to be easy to use, with no pressing a button or remembering settings. Just insert the cup on the base and press it down on the mixture. Magic Bullet Blender - 21 Pc Set is priced at Tk. 2,700 to Tk. 3,200.
Sharp Blender EM-100PM-ST
Sharp-EM-100PM-ST-Blender is one of the most popular blenders in the market of Bangladesh. It has two speeds and plus settings, a grinder, and a stainless-steel blade. Further, it has 3 transparent jars and a 500-watt motor. This blender can be a simple solution for the daily work of the house. It will cost you Tk. 3,600.
Read Deep Fryer price in Bangladesh with Buying Tips
Panasonic Blender MX-EX1021
Panasonic Blender MX-EX1021 may be one of the best choices in the market of Bangladesh. Nice to see this Panasonic Blender is able to enhance the beauty of your kitchen. It has a 400-watt motor and two mills so you can blend all the fruits and spices very easily. The Jug capacity is a maximum of 1.35 L, and it has one dial operation feature. The price of Panasonic Blender MX-EX1021 is around Tk. 3,700.
Vision Blender VIS-SBL-005
Vision Electronics is well known in Bangladesh, which is a sub-brand of RFL. In addition to the TV fridge, they also have a blender. Vision Blender VIS-SBL-005 has a sharp stainless-steel blade with four heads. The good thing is that you get three jars at once. The carrying capacity is 1.5 liters, 1.1 liters, and 0.6 liters, respectively. The price of this blender in the Bangladeshi market is Tk. 3,950.
Read Best Water Filter price in Bangladesh with Buying Tips
Philips Blender HR2114 03
Philips has a worldwide reputation for its electronics products. Philips Blender HR2114 03 is a running product of the brand, which is available in the Bangladesh market for Tk. 4,600 to Tk. 5000. The blender has a powerful motor of 450 watts. The maximum capacity is 1.2 liters. Its 4-star stainless steel blade is able to give you an excellent blending experience. You can open and clean almost every part. Besides, there is a 2-year guarantee.
Oster Pro 1200 Blender 2-in-1
This is a powerful blender but requires a limited counter space. It includes a 5-cup food processor attachment with a rocker disk and crisp blade, a 24-ounce-to-go cup with a drink or a small volume mix, a 6-co-well, glass blender jar, and more. With all these tremendous features, Oster Pro 1200 will cost you approximately Tk. 6,600.
Read Top Mango Varieties in Bangladesh
Effectiveness of Compound Exercises for Muscle Definition
When it comes to getting the ideal summer body, it can be a little difficult to know where to start if you have only been lifting casually or are new to exercising. There’s dieting, weights, cardio and so much more that are thrown into the mix before time can do the rest. In the process of workouts specifically, many tend to be either lost or misinformed about the role of compound exercises in muscle definition. The basics of weight training for toning are to increase your reps and decrease the weight so that the muscle begins to show. How important are compound exercises for muscle definition? Are isolated exercises the only thing needed?
History Of Compound Exercises
Compound exercises are known for covering multiple muscle groups at once, making it at least the most time-efficient and versatile out of both weight lifting options. Additionally, the intensity does add other benefits such as burning more calories, improving muscular coordination, and gaining muscle mass and strength. Compound exercises are essential for bodybuilding, powerlifting, and numerous sports like basketball, rugby, wrestling, and many more.
Read: Intermittent Fasting: Health Benefits and Risks
Compound exercises, in essence, is the first method of weight lifting due to how little is needed to execute, and straightforward technique. While compound exercises have a higher risk of injury, having proper form is easily trainable; starting with lower weights while getting the technique right is critical in order to successfully mark your progress every session.
Bodyweight exercises such as pull-ups and push-ups are some of the earliest concepts of compound exercises that can tackle the back, shoulders, arms, and chest all at the same time.
Why Are Isolation Exercises Important?
As the name suggests, isolation exercises target a particular muscle group and it usually is usually used to complement compound routines that usually take a lot more practice to get the form right. Bodybuilding is the niche that is built on understanding isolation exercises perfectly in order to sculpt the body - which equates to muscle definition.
Read Barbells vs. Dumbbells: Which is better for Workout, Strength, and Muscle Growth?
Certain specific muscle groups require more attention as compound exercises will not have a direct effect on them due to it only being a secondary source of strength. Front, rear deltoids, treps, lats and so many muscle groups are essential to sculpt in order to alter the silhouette of your body for the most obvious sign of definition.
Isolation exercises are also good to build overall muscle size and it is common for many gym practitioners to rotate between machines and dumbbells to ensure that every muscle group is paid attention to. Though it is not wrong to do so, it is definitely backed up by compound exercises so that the same muscle group can truly be used to the point of exhaustion, leading to muscle hypertrophy.
The reason why size is being mentioned is that definition is normally more pronounced when size is looked at first. Whether one is overweight or underweight, muscles need to be engaged first and experience hypertrophy before going through the definition phase. It is possible to go straight to definition if you have a low body fat count, but being too lean may not meet the universal standard of what is considered “cut”. There is nothing wrong with it if lean is the look you are going for.
Read Muscle Building Diet: Best Foods for Muscle Gains, Definition and Fat Reduction
Can Compound Exercises Fit In?
Although isolation exercises are the key to attain muscle definition, they are commonly complemented by compound exercises. The latter’s ability to cover multiple groups at once makes it so that no muscle is left disengaged. Even though this does not correlate to definition immediately, having increased strength, an understanding of technique, and enhancing blood flow are all huge bonuses that are not to be overlooked.
For definition, isolation exercises should be the primary emphasis as it is more conducive to commit to high reps with lower weights. This is the basic makeup of most isolation exercises and is crucial for getting definitions. Because smaller muscle groups are primarily targeted, it takes a lot less weight to ensure that you properly exhaust your muscles as much as possible before hypertrophy.
Emulating this with compound exercises will pose a challenge if you choose to adopt this tactic as reducing the weight of your exercises will only allow primary and secondary muscle groups to disperse a miserable, non-impactful amount of force. Not only will this waste your time, but it defeats the purpose of compound exercises, to begin with.
Read TRX vs. Other Gym Equipments: A Detailed Comparison
Compound Exercises for Definition
Bench Press
Out of all the major muscle groups, the chest has possibly the smallest selection of exercises out of the lot, but that just makes things easier for you. Incline press, decline press, and flies are basic isolation exercises that can be used to shape up the different parts of your chest, but the bench press activates most muscles in that area and is reliable for at least warming up before heading for the dumbbells and machines.
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Shoulder Press
The shoulder can be one of the most daunting major muscles to define as there are so many minor muscle groups that require different techniques for individual exercises. Shrugs bare very little similarities to front raises for example, and working on one does not translate to even remotely engaging the other. Shoulder or Military press is a good compromise that engages deltoids and traps simultaneously while forcing you to maintain the perfect technique required for the other exercises.
Squats
Legs literally occupy half of your body, which means that the very act of doing squats will save you a few exercises. Hamstrings, glutes, and calves are the big three that benefit from proper squats and are easy to follow up with after a few sets. Machines are more commonly used; leg press, calf raises, and leg curls are common follow-ups to squats and will certainly benefit from being engaged beforehand.
Read What is Protein Powder? Benefits of Taking Protein Supplements
Black Fungus Infection: Panic Rising Among Covid Patients
In continuation of the Covid-19 epidemic, the black fungus infection has given rise to new panic among Corona patients. At the inception of the infection, it has reached the level of a terrible epidemic across India. Those who have already recovered from the corona or are moving towards recovery are also affected. Even those who do not have covid are not out of risk yet. With 50 death rete, scientists are worried about its severity in the future. The final stages of the disease are unlikely to be cured, so it is important to be aware along with the correct knowledge in advance.
What is this black fungus?
Black fungus is a fungus called mucor, which grows in a dark wet environment, humid and temperate climate. They can easily grow in any organics, such as perishable fruits and vegetables. It can be found in soil, plants, fertilizers, and even in the noses and coughs of healthy people. 30 to 50 percent humidity is favorable for them. However, their growth is less below 4 degrees Celsius.
The fungi look a lot like tree stalks that are scattered all around. They have a kind of black spores or fine cocoon-like germs that cannot be seen with the naked eye. But if many are born in a certain place then it can be seen with the naked eye. These spores are basically their reproductive organs. These swell and float in the air like pollen. They are not damaged even by the sun's ultraviolet rays.
Read India battles fatal fungal threat as virus deaths near 300K
How does a black fungus infection occur?
The harmful condition caused by the mucor fungus in the human body is called black fungus infection. In medical terms, it is called 'Mucormycosis'.
According to an internationally renowned scientist Dr. Bijan Kumar Sheel, the black fungus enters the human body through the nose while breathing. The spores of the black fungus cannot harm a healthy person by entering into it while floating in the air. But when the immune system is low, they begin to reproduce in the human lungs. It can then spread to different parts of the body and cause death.
It is only natural that the body's immune system, damaged by coronavirus, needs at least some time to recover. During this time, the body is completely exposed to any viruses or bacteria. In that sense, the coronavirus can cause many new complications even after recovery. From mental illness to the heart or brain - anything can happen. And black fungus infection is one of them.
Read Fungus: Health Benefits, Nutritional Values and Precautions
The reason behind this infection
Needless to say, the reason behind this infection is the creation of a damp environment in which black fungus can grow. Millions of germs are being born in such favorable conditions, whereas the human body's resistance to disease is gradually declining in adverse conditions. In continuation of this, the human body is completely vulnerable to these germs due to coronavirus infection.
Steroids used to treat coronavirus are responsible for black fungus infections. Doctors prescribe steroids to covid patients before or after referral to the ICU. These giving extra steroids can lead to subsequent fungal infection in the patient’s body. Mushtaq Hossain, a public health expert in Bangladesh, said that doctors should be careful in giving necessary medicines considering the patient’s condition.
The steroid relieves pneumonia in the corona-affected person. When the body's normal immune system becomes active in preventing the coronavirus, the body suffers some complications. Steroids help repair these complications. Meanwhile, it increases the amount of sugar in the blood. Then it reduces the body's resistance to disease. Everyone, who has or does not have diabetes, has these troubles. As a result, patients develop Mucormycosis.
Read Can I take COVID vaccines from two different brands?
Intermittent Fasting: Health Benefits and Risks
At first, it may seem strange that abstaining from food could lead to healthier living. Since young, many were taught that the key to a healthy life revolves around exercise and nutritional meals. Although that is completely true, the fitness industry has started to get more creative with diets catered towards different goals and intermittent fasting promotes fat loss and even muscle definition! Although it occupies a niche and does it relatively well, this form of dieting has its fair share of risks that are associated with it. Here are the health benefits of intermittent fasting and possible risks to watch out for.
What Is Intermittent Fasting
The word “fasting” is straightforward enough, but “intermittent” can be a little misleading, and if done wrong, can lead to massive health consequences. Rather than an actual diet, Intermittent Fasting moderates the time you eat instead and that throws your body off its regular routine into something that can optimise its metabolism. The traditional fasting method is to abstain from food 16 hours a day, or even fasting a full day twice a week. This can sound extreme, but the logic lies in humans having the capacity to survive off food for a relatively long period of time.
Alternatively there is a strict calorie deficit rule that encourages to only consuming 500-600 calories on two separated days in a week. This is a moderated form of fasting that allows an easier transition for those who are new to this diet. The most common method of fasting is to go by the 16/8 method, which promotes sacrificing breakfast and only opening an eating window between 1pm to 9pm. This is the simplest method by far and does not require calorie counting, leaving a significantly smaller margin for error.
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Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Alters Hormones and Genes
On a microscopic level, fasting makes a lot of alterations to the hormone and genetic components to the body, but not in a bad way. Insulin levels for example drop a fair bit which is good for the body to metabolise at a faster rate. Blood levels are also affected when fasting which does trigger natural growth hormones within the body to ensure muscle-building too.
Additionally, fasting doesn’t make any direct alterations to genetic material, but it does strengthen its protection from diseases and extend its longevity. These changes are rather detailed compared to other factors, but it is good to know how extensive the changes are just by conditioning your body.
Read Muscle Building Diet: Best Foods for Muscle Gains, Definition and Fat Reduction
Burn Fat
Naturally, this would be the primary reason why anyone would choose to go on this rigorous journey, but its popularity is warranted. It isn’t any surprise that abstaining from food frequently would equate to fewer calories and that in turn, increases norepinephrine which is a compound used to break fat.
The intervals of intermittent fasting are relatively short compared to other types of fasts and are meant to kickstart the body to burn the fats reserved since no new sources are coming in. This style of dieting is the epitome of bodily conditioning; in order to get the most out of it, being careful with the type of food you eat and enforcing regular exercise is still critical to ensure that your body is burning fat from reserves.
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Reduces Risk of Diabetes
When the body is “starved” off its regular eating routine, you will start to lose insulin and that has large implications to building a tolerance for certain diseases. With a reduction of insulin, blood sugar is automatically lowered and this is the primary factor that determines whether type 2 diabetes surfaces or not. There are many foods that also reduce blood sugar and would go wonderfully with intermittent fasting to reduce the risks to almost zero.
Reduces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Oxidative stress is the cause of chronic diseases that stem from aging. When your systems get older, protein, DNA will start to age and see the damage. It was previously implied that fasting can help strengthen our genes and cell’s lifespan - which does inject a little more vitality into our immunity than many other ways of fasting. By separating yourself from a regular intake of food (especially unhealthy ones), other forms of inflammation will start to reduce, which is the cause for many common illnesses that strike the elderly.
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Good for the Heart
By improving blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers, it’s no surprise that the heart will see benefits from these results. A high intake of sugar and fat can damage your arteries, which is where avoiding food for more than half the day will do wonders to stabilize blood flow and improve circulation. Fasting alone will not lead to complete improvement; cardiovascular activities and static exercises are good ways to reduce these risks better.
Registration deadline for 24th National Art Exhibition extended to May 26
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has extended the registration deadline for the 24th edition of the National Art Exhibition Biennale.
Those who want to showcase their artworks and crafts at the country's biggest annual art exhibition will have to register by May 26.
This year, the biennale exhibition is set to take place from June 25 to July 31. All the registered artists can submit their artworks within June 17, according to the academy.
Started as a biennale back in 1975, the exhibition has earned recognition from art-lovers around the whole nation as a celebration of modern artworks and crafts by artists from all over the country.
The 23rd edition of the National Art Exhibition was inaugurated on July 1, 2019, and concluded on July 21.
In the 23rd edition, artist Kamruzzaman won the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy prize as the grand award for his painting Global Warming-2.
Four departmental prizes for artwork, sculpture, print illustration and new media were awarded to artists Rafat Ahmed Badhon, Tanvir Mahmud, Ruhul Karim Rumi and Shahid Kazi.
The rest of the three special prizes – Bengal Foundation award, Dipa Haque award and Artist Kazi Anwar Hossain Award – went to artists Uttam Kumar Talukdar, Suman Wahid and Faria Khanum Tuli.
Can I take COVID vaccines from two different brands?
After a year of research and experiment, COVID vaccines turn out to be the savior. Several organizations already get approval from the proper authority. So far, all the approved vaccines are effective. To get full protection, two doses of vaccine are needed in four weeks of interval. There is a common question that may arise, whether the vaccine is effective if you take from two different brands. However, it is still debatable as no effective research has been published on that, but experts have given their opinion on that.
Currently, experts suggest that everyone should get the vaccine from the same brands. To create a more flexible COVID-19 vaccination environment, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) initiated a research named Com-COV to determine the effectiveness of mix and match the two different brands.
Read: Indian COVID variant: Why is it more deadly? How is it affecting the neighboring countries?
But, initially, it is assumed that getting vaccination from two different brands will not get you the greater protection against the diseases. In this context, Dr. Nikhil Bhayani, infectious disease specialist with Texas Health Resources, conveyed, “By using two different vaccines, there is not going to be a greater magnitude of protection against the disease.” Besides, he also recommends not to get the vaccines from two different brands yet. Hence, we should wait until the Com-COV publishes its findings.
Com-COV’s first stage experiment will come out by June or July 2021, though the study will continue for at least a year. The researcher will mix match the vaccines from all the available brands. Hence, we may need to wait a long time to get details on all brands.
Read: Russian Vaccine Sputnik V: Things we should know to fight COVID-19
Vaccines can be mix-matched in exceptional situation
While some experts suggest taking both doses from the same brand, some healthcare professionals suggest that the vaccine can be mix-matched rare cases. For instance, one can take one dose from Moderna and another dose from Pfizer. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this should be considered only in rare cases.
What can be the rare cases?
The exceptional or rare case might occur if a person does not remember the vaccine brand of the first dose, or the documentation does not have the name of the brand. Further, another case can be if the first dose brand is not available anymore or at a certain point in time. However, for now, the vaccine mic match can only be done for Moderna and Pfizer as both of them are similar.
However, a question might arise if a person should wait to get the second dose from the same brand if that brand’s second dose is not available. There is no actual answer to this concern. Therefore we may take the second dose from another brand, or we may wait. But it is evident that only taking the first dose will not protect us from getting COVID. Therefore, we will need to wait for the research result to come out. Besides, it will not be wise to take decisions on our own, but we cannot make the decisions either as the health care experts and government agencies are there to guide us.
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