Health-&-Fitness
Russia’s Chernobyl seizure seen as nuclear risk ‘nightmare’
Here in the dirt of one of the world’s most radioactive places, Russian soldiers dug trenches. Ukrainian officials worry they were, in effect, digging their own graves.
Thousands of tanks and troops rumbled into the forested Chernobyl exclusion zone in the earliest hours of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, churning up highly contaminated soil from the site of the 1986 accident that was the world’s worst nuclear disaster.
For more than a month, some Russian soldiers bunked in the earth within sight of the massive structure built to contain radiation from the damaged Chernobyl nuclear reactor. A close inspection of their trenches was impossible because even walking on the dirt is discouraged.
As the 36th anniversary of the April 26, 1986, disaster approaches and Russia’s invasion continues, it’s clear that Chernobyl — a relic of the Cold War — was never prepared for this.
With scientists and others watching in disbelief from afar, Russian forces flew over the long-closed plant, ignoring the restricted airspace around it. They held personnel still working at the plant at gunpoint during a marathon shift of more than a month, with employees sleeping on tabletops and eating just twice a day.
Even now, weeks after the Russians left, “I need to calm down,” the plant’s main security engineer, Valerii Semenov, told The Associated Press. He worked 35 days straight, sleeping only three hours a night, rationing cigarettes and staying on even after the Russians allowed a shift change.
“I was afraid they would install something and damage the system,” he said in an interview.
Workers kept the Russians from the most dangerous areas, but in what Semenov called the worst situation he has seen in his 30 years at Chernobyl, the plant was without electricity, relying on diesel generators to support the critical work of circulating water for cooling the spent fuel rods.
“It was very dangerous to act in this way,” said Maksym Shevchuck, the deputy head of the state agency managing the exclusion zone. He was scared by it all.
Also Read: Russians leave Chernobyl; Ukraine braces for renewed attacks
Russia’s invasion marks the first time that occupying a nuclear plant was part of a nation’s war strategy, said Rebecca Harms, former president of the Greens group in the European Parliament, who has visited Chernobyl several times. She called it a “nightmare” scenario in which “every nuclear plant can be used like a pre-installed nuclear bomb.”
A visit to the exclusion zone, more desolate than usual, found that the invasion risked a catastrophe worse than the original explosion and fire at Chernobyl that sent radioactive material into the atmosphere and became a symbol of the Soviet Union’s stumbling final years. Billions of dollars were spent by the international community, including Russia, to stabilize and secure the area.
Now authorities are working with Ukraine’s defense ministry on ways to protect Chernobyl’s most critical places. At the top of the list are anti-drone systems and anti-tank barriers, along with a system to protect against warplanes and helicopters.
None of it will matter much if Russian President Vladimir Putin resorts to nuclear weapons, which Shevchuck says he can’t rule out anymore.
“I understand they can use any kind of weapon and they can do any awful thing,” he said.
Chernobyl needs special international protection with a robust U.N. mandate, Harms said. As with the original disaster, the risks are not only to Ukraine but to nearby Belarus and beyond.
“It depends from where the wind blows,” she said.
After watching thousands of Soviet soldiers work to contain the effects of the 1986 accident, sometimes with no protection, Harms and others were shocked at the Russian soldiers’ disregard for safety, or their ignorance, in the recent invasion.
Some soldiers even stole highly radioactive materials as souvenirs or possibly to sell.
“I think from movies they have the imagination that all dangerous small things are very valuable,” Shevchuck said.
He believes hundreds or thousands of soldiers damaged their health, likely with little idea of the consequences, despite plant workers’ warnings to their commanders.
“Most of the soldiers were around 20 years old,” he said. “All these actions proves that their management, and in Russia in general, human life equals like zero.”
The full extent of Russia’s activities in the Chernobyl exclusion zone is still unknown, especially because the troops scattered mines that the Ukrainian military is still searching for. Some have detonated, further disturbing the radioactive ground. The Russians also set several forest fires, which have been put out.
Ukrainian authorities can’t monitor radiation levels across the zone because Russian soldiers stole the main server for the system, severing the connection on March 2. The International Atomic Energy Agency said Saturday it still wasn’t receiving remote data from its monitoring systems. The Russians even took Chernobyl staffers’ personal radiation monitors.
In the communications center, one of the buildings in the zone not overgrown by nature, the Russians looted and left a carpet of shattered glass. The building felt deeply of the 1980s, with a map on a wall still showing the Soviet Union. Someone at some point had taken a pink marker and traced Ukraine’s border.
Also Read: Russians leave Chernobyl site as fighting rages elsewher
In normal times, about 6,000 people work in the zone, about half of them at the nuclear plant. When the Russians invaded, most workers were told to evacuate immediately. Now about 100 are left at the nuclear plant and 100 are elsewhere.
Semenov, the security engineer, recalled the Russians checking the remaining workers for what they called radicals.
“We said, ‘Look at our documents, 90% of us are originally from Russia,’” he said. “But we’re patriots of our country,” meaning Ukraine.
When the Russians hurriedly departed March 31 as part of a withdrawal from the region that left behind scorched tanks and traumatized communities, they took more than 150 Ukrainian national guard members into Belarus. Shevchuck fears they’re now in Russia.
In their rush, the Russians gave nuclear plant managers a choice: Sign a document saying the soldiers had protected the site and there were no complaints, or be taken into Belarus. The managers signed.
One protective measure the Russians did appear to take was leaving open a line routing communications from the nuclear plant through the workers’ town of Slavutych and on to authorities in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. It was used several times, Shevchuck said.
“I think they understood it should be for their safety,” he said. The IAEA said Tuesday the plant is now able to contact Ukraine’s nuclear regulator directly.
Another Ukrainian nuclear plant, at Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine, remains under Russian control. It is the largest in Europe.
Shevchuck, like other Ukrainians, has had it with Putin.
“We’re inviting him inside the new safe confinement shelter,” he said. “Then we will close it.”
Pregnancy Care Tips for Summer: How can pregnant mothers beat the heat?
Naturally, during pregnancy, the average temperature of your body will increase about one degree above normal. Because, the body of a pregnant woman releases progesterone throughout the pregnancy. So, it wouldn’t be in favor of you if you are pregnant during the summer season. However, try to feel relaxed. It isn’t as bad as it seems. Stay with us to learn some necessary tips for healthy pregnancy in the hot summer months.
10 Essential Tips to Stay Healthy During a Summer Pregnancy
Drink Enough water
You need to hydrate yourself so make sure you drink at least 64 ounces of water each day. Keep a bottle of water near you so that you can drink water throughout the day. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. If you do so, your body is already showing signs of dehydration.
Remember, water is essential for a pregnant woman related to air. You can take diluted juices as well, but it is more important to keep drinking plain water regularly which is essential for both the mother and the baby.
Read: COVID-19 Omicron XE Variant: Should we be worried?
Limit outdoor activities
Don’t go outside on the hot summer days unnecessarily although it is necessary to get some fresh air that is too good during pregnancy. So, try to stay inside as much as possible. It is better for you if you take your walking or exercise either in the morning or evening. Make sure you don’t go outside during the peak hours like 11 am to 4 pm when the sun’s rays are strongest.
Take a bath with cool water
To make you cool on hot summer days is very important. So, the cool water bath will make you feel comfortable and a lot more pleasant. You can take swimming which is also very good for pregnant women. If you have time, you can go to the pool near your house to enjoy the cool summer.
Whenever you find you are having a hard time staying cool, take a break for a nice shower to cool you off.
Read: How to Lose Weight in Ramadan?
Besides, sprinkling with cool water can relieve you from hotness. So, sprinkle with water when you step outside so that you can keep your body temperature in control. However, never forget to consult your doctor before starting any new physical activity.
Wear breathable clothing
Avoid wearing dark clothes like black or red as they increase heat absorption which makes pregnant women feel hotter. So, make sure on hot sunny days you select bright clothes like white, and beige to reflect the sun's rays. Moreover, you need to wear loose and breathable clothes. If you want to keep yourself cooler throughout the day you must choose the cotton fabric. Besides, you need to wear sunglasses, a sun-proof vest and use sunblock when going out.
Intake Healthy Diet
Of course, you need to pay extra attention to your diet at the time of your pregnancy, especially during summer days. So, include more and leafy vegetables in your diet along with a moderate quantity of fruits that provide you the entire required nutrient for you and your baby.
Read Pregnancy Anxiety? How to reduce the stress of pregnant mothers?
Besides, drinking healthy juice is also essential to keep your body temperature cool. But make sure you intake small diets at a particular time during the day to maintain the metabolism of the body. Don’t eat spicy foods.
Proper Exercise
You can take exercises like walking, swimming, yoga, and other pregnancy exercises that are good for you and your baby but make sure you take them in the morning when the temperature is low.
In the early stage of your pregnancy you can exercise regularly, but when you are further into your pregnancy and the heat is on, cut back on the duration and intensity of exercise.
Read: Ramadan Fasting Benefits: Impacts on health when you fast for 16 hours
Make sure you take a rest during exercise when you feel tired. However, whatever you do, make sure of your comfort zone by not overstressing yourself.
Take proper rest and sleep
Remember, sleep and rest are very important matters for mothers. Sleeping is helpful to minimize stress. So, take time for yourself and relax by reading a book, listening to music, or doing meditation. You also know that rest is very important during pregnancy so take enough rest.
Besides, as summer heats make pregnant women more tired, take a short nap after lunch. You need to do it regularly. A nap after lunch will give you more comfort and you will feel relaxed. You can take a fresh juice once you wake up.
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Take care of your legs
During pregnancy, the common issues can be swelling legs. The summer heat is also associated with swelling legs. You can avoid the swelling of your foot by taking the following steps:
- Keep your legs up on the pillows while you are sleeping.
- Do not sit while hanging the legs down during pregnancy.
- You should buy well-fitted shoes while you are pregnant to get comfortable and relax.
- Wear the correct choice of footwear during exercise. Your footwear should be comfy while walking, also that is part of the exercise.
Hair Care
Don’t forget to take care of your hair during pregnancy. Massage your scalp with cooling hair oil to feel relaxed. You can also shorten the length of your hair. Short hair will give you relaxation. But if you do not like to cut your hair or short your hair, of course, tie your hair into a pony or a bun to avoid sweating on your neck. It is really necessary to ensure that you allow proper passage of air on your neck and the back.
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Skin Care
Naturally, during pregnancy skin becomes dry, so take proper care of your skin. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your face and wear sunglasses to protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun whenever you go out. Besides, it is important to take care of your lips from getting dry. You can use the finest quality lip balms to take proper care of your lip. Moreover, a prenatal massage can give more comfort on hot summer days.
COVID-19 Omicron XE Variant: Should we be worried?
A new strain of Omicron known as XE is causing outbreaks in the United Kingdom, and a few instances have been reported elsewhere in the globe. The Omicron XE strain was discovered in a lady in her 30s who came from the United States to Narita International Airport on March 26 2022. According to Japan's health ministry, the lady, whose country was not immediately known, was asymptomatic. This page summarizes what is known about the most recent Corona strain.
What is the Omicron XE variant?
The XE variety is a recombinant virus, which means that it combines elements of two separate strains of Omicron, in this instance, BA.1, the original strain of Omicron, and BA.2, dubbed "stealth omicron."
According to health professionals, recombinant variations are not unusual. Recombinant variations are not totally uncommon, especially when many variants are in circulation, as numerous have been detected so far in the pandemic. As is the case with different other types of variants, the majority will perish rather fast.
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As per the official website of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's, epidemiologists in the United States are not actively monitoring XE. It has not been recognized as a variant of interest or concern.
According to an early study, XE may be the fastest-spreading strain to date, although more research is needed to confirm the variant's actual contagiousness.
The UK Health Security Agency showed in late March that XE has a growth rate of 9.8 percent higher than BA.2. The World Health Organization has issued a similar statement, citing estimates that XE is 10% more contagious than BA.2. However, the agency warned that such conclusions need validation.
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What are the Symptoms of Omicron XE?
As the sub variation is new, the situation may alter, but it is not presently believed that XE causes additional symptoms. The most often reported symptoms of the original Omicron strain are similar to those of a cold, specially in those who have been vaccinated.
According to NHS.uk, further indicators of Covid-19 to watch for include shortness of breath, fatigue, an aching body, a headache, a sore throat, a clogged or runny nose, lack of appetite, diarrhea, feeling nauseous, or being sick.
In Which Places Omicron XE Variant Has Spread So Far
The first case of XE was discovered in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2022. According to the UKHSA, moreover, 600 instances of XE have been found there to date—less than 1% of all sequenced cases. That is a fraction of the rate of cases caused by BA.2, which is currently the predominant strain of SARS-CoV-2 in the United Kingdom and around the world.
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Additionally, XE has been discovered in India and Thailand. According to Bloomberg, one incident was reported on April 6 in Mumbai, while on April 4, the Center for Medical Genomics in Bangkok reported one recent case of XE.
Should We Be Worried About the Omicron XE Variant
Early estimates indicate that XE may be more transmissible than previous strains since it has so far grown at a somewhat faster pace than its predecessor.
According to UKHSA statistics, XE has a growth rate of 9.8 percent greater than BA.2, but the World Health Organization has previously estimated the number at 10%. However, researchers predict that its severity will decline as it spreads more readily. XE has not been designated as a variation of concern so far.
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XE seems to be following the same path as BA.2, with increasing transmissibility to BA.1 but less severe symptoms," Jennifer Horney, an epidemiology professor at the University of Delaware, stated.
"It is, in a sense, the devil we know. It is basically a reshuffle of the same deck of cards," noted Mark Cameron, an associate professor in Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine.
XE has a spike and structural proteins from the same viral family as Omicron, implying that it should act similarly to Omicron in the past. As a result, existing vaccinations and immunity should give some protection against infection.
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"Recombinants that have both the spike and structural proteins from a single virus (such as XE or XF) are very likely to behave similarly to [their] mother virus," Tom Peacock, a virologist at Imperial College London's Department of Infectious Disease, stated in a mid-March Twitter thread. XF refers to another recombinant that was discovered in the United Kingdom in February.
Other recombinants comprising spike and structural proteins from other viral families, on the other hand, continue to arise. This includes the newly identified XD subvariant in Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark, which comprises delta structural proteins and omicron spike proteins, characterized by Peacock as "a bit more worrying."
As such, any new emergencies must be properly examined, particularly during their first stages, to ensure they do not develop into something more problematic.
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"The virus remains capable of evolving, recombining, and forming a new branch of its family tree," Cameron said.
"The critical finding is that for these variations and subvariants, the risk of hospital readmission appears to be lower on average in areas with higher vaccination rates, implying that vaccination, including a third dose, should be efficient in decreasing risk for severe disease," added Stephanie Silvera, professor of public health at Montclair State University.
What is Still not Known Yet?
There is insufficient evidence to determine if XE will spread faster or produce more severe sickness than previous SARS-CoV-2 genotypes. "There is scant data at this time to form judgments regarding transmissibility, severity, or vaccination efficacy," Susan Hopkins, the UKHSA's chief medical adviser, said in a statement.
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However, some information may be deduced from the two strains that make it. It has long been shown that vaccinations protect against symptomatic sickness caused by BA.1 and BA.2. It is to believe vaccination techniques will provide protection against symptomatic sickness caused by XE.
Another indication is that BA.1 and BA.2 are both capable of evading some monoclonal antibody therapy. As a result, such medications are unlikely to be as effective against XE. Additionally, it’s also been known that the other treatments, which are mostly utilized in the outpatient setting—Paxlovid and molnupiravir—should retain effectiveness against the XE strain based on their mechanism of action.
Conclusion
Because the WHO is monitoring XE under the omicron umbrella, it does not yet have its own Greek letter moniker. According to the organization, XE is classified as an omicron variation unless substantial changes in disease transmission and features, including severity, are identified. The organization urges individuals globally to exercise additional vigilance.
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If proper measures are not taken the new variant can spread to other countries of the world and affect millions of people. However, it is not the right time to predict the impact of this new Coronavirus. On the whole, to stay safe from the Covid-19's new strain Omicron XE we have to maintain hygiene and social distance.
How to Lose Weight in Ramadan?
Ramadan is the holy month of fasting for Muslims around the world. Ramadan fasting abstains people from food and drink between the hours of sunrise and sunset. Ramadan fasting is also a form of intermittent fasting, which is popular to lose weight. Fasting of Ramadan allows followers of the Islam faith to focus on prayer and gratitude. Besides the religious significance, Ramadan fasting offers a bunch of health benefits. For instance, it is an excellent opportunity to shed extra weight as well. Continue reading to explore how to shed weight in Ramadan.
Foods to Help Weight Loss through Ramadan Fasting
Ramadan happens once a year and lasts for one lunar month. During Ramadan millions of adult Muslims worldwide cycle between periods of eating and fasting. People generally eat two meals a day during Ramadan: a meal before dawn (Suhoor or Sheri) and a meal after sunset (Iftar), which breaks the fast. Some also take another meal; super. As the Ramadan fast is a type of intermittent fasting, you can take foods that are effective to lose weight.
Healthy Suhoor for Weight Loss
As you need to start your whole day fasting with Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, it should be wholesome and satisfying. Make sure you take healthy foods to provide your body with sufficient energy throughout a day of fasting.
Read Ramadan Fasting Benefits: Impacts on health when you fast for 16 hours
So, you need to eat a balanced meal with complex carbohydrates like wholegrain bread in place of refined white bread and proteins like cheese or eggs. If you can take this combination, it will make you feel full for longer and ensure a stable glucose level in the blood, so you don’t get too hungry during the day.
According to research restricting dietary salt leads to rapid weight loss. So, you must avoid salty foods; canned items, salted snacks, and spicy foods to lose weight. Besides, you should control your temptation to make desserts because the processed sugars inside these sweet treats and beverages can quickly gain weight instead of losing.
You can eat foods containing naturally occurring sugars like fruits, dried fruits, and honey. Moreover, make sure you avoid processed foods like fast foods and packaged foods if you really want to lose weight.
Read Ready for Ramadan? How to Prepare Your Body for Fasting?
However, you should not skip suhoor; otherwise, you will be over hungry and end up overeating upon breaking fast after sunset.
Hearty Iftar for Losing Weight
Certainly, you will feel hungry during Iftar after the daylong fasting; but make sure you eat a healthy meal. Try to resist the temptation to cover for missed meals by sesh eating at the break of the fast. Don’t forget to break your fast slowly.
Start your Iftar with high fiber dates that contain naturally-occurring sugars. Dates help to replenish energy lost during long hours of fasting. Moreover, dates are high in nutrition as they are rich in magnesium and protein.
Read 10 Healthy Iftar Drinks for Breaking Ramadan Fasting
Then, take easily digestible foods like soups and salads. Finally, make sure you take portioned main meals, balanced with carbohydrates and proteins. But try to totally avoid fried or fatty foods with high caloric content.
Nutritious Super
During Ramadan, naturally, people who want to lose weight don’t take super except for some. If you are in the line of that some, make sure you take light items in super. As you need to take a healthy suhoor, you must keep your stomach free. You can take a little amount of rice with fish or meat along with vegetables, dal.
Drinks to Help Weight Loss through Ramadan Fasting
Studies have shown that drinking water may help to lose weight. That means you need to make sure you are hydrated. Drinking a glass of water before taking a meal works well to lose weight. Besides, other drinks such as herbal tea-infused water and unsweetened coconut water can be your best choice to lose weight. However, you need to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration and help control sugar cravings.
Read Healthy Sehri Ideas: What to eat and avoid for Sehri during Ramadan
Suhoor
Start your suhoor with a glass of water before taking a meal. If you drink at least a glass of water, it will reduce your hunger, and ultimately you will take fewer foods and lose weight.
Generally, Ramadan happens on different dates each year depending on the Islamic lunar calendar. If this year Ramadan is in the summer season, you need to drink enough water otherwise you may experience dehydration that may cause mental confusion or tiredness.
Besides, you can take coconut water which is enriched with potassium and other nutrients.
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But make sure you avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea. If you take these drinks in suhoor, they will make the body lose even more water as they are diuretics.
Iftar
After a whole day of fasting, you are thirsty. So, you must hydrate the body and prepare the stomach for food. Many like to break their Iftar with coconut water. You can limit creamy soups and focus on ones with clear broth, that is rich in minerals, with added vegetables or legumes. You can take classic lentil soup. Besides, you can take watermelon juice, green mango juice, gur syrup, star fruit juice, and musk melon juice to keep you hydrated.
Super
If you are habituated to taking super after Iftar make sure you drink sufficient water. Try to have lentil soup and/ or vegetable soup at supper.
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Activities for Losing Weight during Ramadan Fasting
Although you take fewer calories while fasting, do not remain inactive throughout Ramadan. So, make sure you take regular exercise. Your daily exercise will help maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle by burning excess body fat and maintaining muscle mass.
Half an hour of walking can be best for you. If you are doing high-intensity workouts, it’s best to keep the session to 30 minutes but in the case of low to medium intensity, then workout for 45 minutes.
Besides, as in the month of Ramadan, fasting changes your eating patterns, and your body needs time to adjust and adapt – so it is important to be patient.
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Moreover, you can do yoga to remain controlled, cool, and motivated. Every day you can do yoga for half an hour.
Ramadan Fasting Benefits: Impacts on health when you fast for 16 hours
Ramadan fasting involves abstention from eating, drinking, and other forbidden tasks before sunrise to after sunset. It is obligatory for all Muslims from the age of puberty. You can engage in all these acts after breaking your fasting and restart fasting the next dawn. You need to follow this cycle for a whole month. If planned well, it has long-lasting health benefits. Continue reading to know what happens to your body when you fast for 14 to 16 hours.
What happens to your body when you fast for 14 to 16 hours?
Speeds Up The Metabolism
Fasting assists to energise your metabolism by giving your digestive system a rest because it burns through the calories more efficiently. When your digestion is poor, this can affect your ability to metabolise food and burn fat. Fasting regulates your digestion promoting healthy bowel function. In this way, fasting improves your metabolic function.
Read Ramadan Iftar Ideas: Healthy foods, drinks to break your fast
Weight loss
Fasting works like magic to lose weight. It can help both obese and non-obese people to lose weight. The connection to fasting is that when you fast, less energy is coming in than going out. That’s why you lose weight. When you are fasting you burn more calories than you take. As a result, you lose fat and improve body composition just by splitting those calories into two meals rather than three.
Improves Hunger
When you don’t take any food for 14 to 16 hours, you experience real hunger. Fasting helps to regulate the hormones in your body so that you experience what true hunger is. Therefore, take fasting as a reset button. The longer you fast, the more your body can regulate itself to release the correct hormones.
Also Read: Ready for Ramadan? How to Prepare Your Body for Fasting?
Develops Your Eating Patterns
Fasting is a helpful practice for people who suffer from binge eating disorders. The month-long fasting is also helpful for those who find it difficult to establish a correct eating pattern due to work and other priorities. When you are fasting all afternoon without a meal, it can allow you to eat at a set time and helps you to set your lifestyle.
Ketosis
Your hormone insulin of course stays low with your break from eating. Consequently, low insulin helps you burn body fat and make ketones. The fat-burning system is called ketosis which may have the following health benefits:
- More stable energy
- Reduced cravings
- Better appetite control
- Enhanced mental acuity
- Increased “good” HDL cholesterol
- Lower blood sugar and insulin levels
- Lower blood pressure
- Improvements to metabolic syndrome
Read Healthy Sehri Ideas: What to eat and avoid for Sehri during Ramadan
Lower blood sugar
If a person consumes carbs constantly —their blood sugar stays chronically elevated. This is known as hyperglycemia and is defined as a clinical feature of type 2 diabetes. This causes huge complications, including heart disease. In this situation, fasting may be part of the solution. Studies have shown that fasting lowered average blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Promotes Longevity
The younger your body is, the faster and more systematic your metabolism will be. But none of us are getting younger anymore. Therefore, we have to be careful about the process of ageing and relative health issues.
You need to remember that the primary effect of ageing is a slower metabolism. Naturally, when you eat less, the less toll it takes on your digestive system. There is a saying- the less you eat the longer you will live. If you believe it, surely it is for you.
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Improves Your Immune System
Fasting contributes to improving your immune system by reducing free radical damage, regulating inflammatory conditions in the body, and starving cancer cell formation.
Science has already proved that fasting has a direct connection with Autophagy. The term Autophagy refers to a natural process in which the cells of a human body can clean out the damaged, dysfunctional, or unnecessary components. Autophagy strengthens the immune system of human health.
Contributes To Self-Enlightenment
Fasting surely helps you to connect to life because you can get enough time and energy during fasting to practise reading, meditation, and yoga. The digestive system is one of the most energy-absorbing systems in the body. When you have no food in the digestive system, you get more energy in the body.
Besides, fasting creates self-enlightenment in you by helping you feel better both consciously and physically. When your body is light and your mind is clear, you become more aware and grateful for the things around you.
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Clear The Skin And Prevent Acne
Fasting can help clear the skin as your body is temporarily freed from digestion. Thus, it’s able to focus its regenerative energies on other systems. Not eating anything for a long time helps the body to clean up the toxins and regulate the functioning of other organs of the body such as the liver, kidneys, and other parts.
Brain health
During fasting, your body burns fat and thus fuels your brain. Naturally, your brain runs entirely on glucose. But when you are fasting, it elevates ketone levels leading to better performance in a variety of mental tasks. It is natural that the ageing brain doesn’t lose its ability to use ketones.
Promotes good sleep
Research has shown that fasting may assist to enhance our body's sleep-wake cycle. Generally, overeating can induce disturbed sleep. During fasting, you eat less, allowing you to sleep better.
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Reduces stress
Fasting reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels and inflammation.
Besides this, fasting allows you to understand how it feels to starve for long hours. Thus, you can be grateful for the food you have. It also makes you sympathetic to those who can’t afford food everyday and encourages you to help those people which in turn gives mental peace. Therefore, fasting is beneficial for your mental health.
Heart health
Fasting is beneficial to your heart health also. It not only reduces body weight but has also been shown to improve other influential factors of heart health.
Fasting reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides in some of the most rigorous studies leaving positive impacts for heart health. Fasting also improves multiple cardiovascular risk markers.
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More productive time
Of course, fasting gives you more productive time as you have to invest less time in meal preparations, eating, and cleanup. Besides, ketosis provides a steady energy source for your brain in the form of ketones without having to deal with rapid blood sugar fluctuations, which can enhance sustained concentration.
Bottom Line
So far, we have discussed the health benefits of fasting in Ramadan. No doubt, fasting is a very popular weight-loss method. It serves as a reset system of the digestive system of a human body. Fasting promotes autophagy which is good for the human immune system. Furthermore, fasting leaves positive impacts on the heart and brain.
Besides, realisation of hunger during fasting makes you a grateful, kind and sympathetic person. Fasting helps you to feel satisfaction with your current achievements or possessions. On the whole, Ramadan fasting helps you live a longer, healthier and peaceful life.
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Microplastic in Human Blood: Health Risks and Dangers
For many years researchers were looking for the answer to how dangerous microplastics are for health and the environment? The recent discovery of microplastic in human blood unlocked some answers. Imagine for a second that numerous tiny plastic particles are floating in your blood and those particles are reaching every part of your body. Laboratory tests have shown that microplastics are capable of causing severe damage to human cells. Here is what we know about the health risks and dangers of microplastic in the human body.
What is Microplastic?
Microplastics refer to pieces of plastic that are less than 5 mm in size. These are manufactured in ways that don't require high temperatures or harsh chemicals. They can be found in everything from cosmetics to clothes to food.
Microplastics have become a global concern as they are ingested by marine animals, bioaccumulate in the food chain, and end up in people's bodies. They also threaten human health via their potential to cause cancer and other serious illnesses. However, scientists are still trying to figure out how to manage them.
Read Ready for Ramadan? How to Prepare Your Body for Fasting?
Microplastics can enter the environment through wastewater treatment plants, rivers, and oceans. They can also be released when microbeads are washed down the drain. The tiny pieces of plastic can contaminate water sources and wildlife. Studies have found that microplastics are present in greater numbers in aquatic environments than previously thought.
How did Researchers find Microplastic in Human Blood?
A team of researchers from Vrije University in the Netherlands recently discovered the presence of microplastics in the human body. Scientists have tested blood samples from 22 adults. And they claim that they have found microplastics in the blood of 17 of the 22 people. These microplastics were found in the blood of about 80% of the people tested. However, the scientists also said that none of those people were sick. The study was recently published in the International Journal of Environment.
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Among the 22 samples, half of them contained PET plastic, which is used to make drinks bottles. Besides, one-third of the sample contained polystyrene, which is commonly used in food packaging and other products. And 25% of the samples have polyethylene, the common element of plastic carrier bags.
In developing detection systems for microplastics, mathematicians adapted existing practices of analyzing and detecting particles of 0.0007 millimeters or smaller. Most of the blood samples examined contained at least two kinds of plastic. To prevent contamination, they used steel syringe needles and glass tubes. Tests were carried out using blank samples to confirm the background levels of microplastics.
To have a clear look at the primary findings, the scientists will broaden the sample size in the next research.
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How can Microplastic Enter Human Blood?
In this regard, scientists claim that all day long, people at home or elsewhere, knowingly or unknowingly, use plastic materials for their daily needs. Mainly from those large plastic materials, relatively small components, for example, microplastics, get mixed in human blood.
However, scientists have claimed that it is nearly impossible to separate those particles from the human body.
What are the Health Risks and Dangers of the existence of Microplastic in Human Blood?
Sometimes from the environment and sometimes from the plastic material used for everyday needs enters plastic in the human body. Scientists have claimed that there is no decay in them. The researchers said that this could lead to a serious problem in the human body. Following are some of the critical health risks associated with microplastic.
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Studies have shown that microplastics can cause cancer. If ingested or inhaled, it may create cancer in the human body as it contains various toxic chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), BPA (bisphenol A), phthalates, lead compounds, etc. The chemicals that plastics release when they are broken down have been linked with cancer growth. The fibers from microplastics have also been connected with respiratory problems, especially in children.
The effect of microplastic depends on the specific plastic element. For example, Bromine can lead to apoptosis and genotoxicity. Genotoxicity is a term used to describe the potential for chemicals or other agents to cause damage to DNA. Genotoxic agents can cause mutations in cells, leading to cancer and other diseases.
Cadmium can change calcium, phosphorus, and bone metabolism. Calcium metabolism is affected by estrogen levels, phosphorus metabolism is affected by the acid-base balance, and bone mineralization is affected by the level of estrogen and other hormones.
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If the microplastic has copper, it can lead to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which also includes DNA strand breaks as well as oxidation.
Mercury can cause mutagen or carcinogens. Bedsides and affected humans can face induction of the disruption of DNA molecular structure, which may lead to brain damage.
Tin can create metal–estrogen, skin rashes, breast cancer, stomach complaints, vomiting, headache and palpitations, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and potential clastogen.
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Lead in the blood may cause anemia, hypertension, disruption of nervous Systems, miscarriages, oxidative stress, brain damage, infertility, and cell damage.
Final Words
A tiny plastic particle known as microplastic has been discovered in human blood recently. Through the blood, plastic particles can spread throughout the body and accumulate in any part of the body.
Various research results show how detrimentally plastic pollution has spread across the world. You will not be able to find anywhere there are no plastics, not even on Mount Everest or at the bottom of the ocean.
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In conclusion, while more research is needed to determine the full extent of the health risks posed by microplastic in the human body, there is enough evidence to suggest that we should take steps to avoid exposing ourselves to these particles as much as possible. Some simple ways to do this include avoiding products that contain microbeads, reducing consumption of seafood, and properly disposing of waste.
Ready for Ramadan? How to Prepare Your Body for Fasting?
The holy month of Ramadan is about to come within just a few days. In the month of Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Are you really ready for Ramadan? As Ramadan comes after a long 11 months and you need to continue fasting constantly for 30 days, it is surely important to prepare your body for fasting at first. If you are still confused about how to make your body ready for Ramadan fasting, just continue scrolling to get your probable solution.
Why is it necessary to Prepare Your Body for Fasting?
Fasting is an essential religious practice in many religions. It affirms the purifying of one's body and mind. Many also use it as a means of weight loss although there is no available evidence showing its effectiveness. However, if you don’t carry it out the correct and safe way, it can be deleterious to your health. So, to avoid any negative side effects, you should plan for your fast in advance.
Besides, you need to make sure you modify your daily habits and make changes to your diet ahead of time. Most probably, these preparations will make the fast a safer and more pleasant experience for you.
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10 Fruitful Ways to Prepare Your Body for Ramadan Fasting
Surely the upcoming holy month of Ramadan may be difficult for some people. It requires us to be well-prepared and ready to refrain from food and drink consumption during the daytime. Every day we need to fast for about 15 hours which demands us to be strong not only physically but mentally also. However, to be strong and stout enough you must prepare yourself to adapt yourself to all the challenges that come along with fasting during Ramadan.
Along with focusing on the quantity of food intake, you also have to focus on what you eat, how you eat, and how you sleep. These 10 fruitful top tips will help you get through Ramadan before you know it:
Food consumption
As Ramadan is approaching, you need to be habituated to taking moderate quantities of food. So, do not spend lavishly on food. If you don’t take control of yourself regarding food, you cannot control yourself during Ramadan also. Besides, taking more food before Ramadan will increase your appetite and make it more difficult to fast.
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Reduce salt and sugar intake
It is fundamental to reduce your salt and sugar intake regularly before Ramadan. For this, first, identify the foods that contain high levels of salt and sugar that you regularly eat.
It won’t be possible to reduce a lot at first but try to decrease by 1 tablespoon of salt and sugar every day. If you decrease in this way, your body may not notice the decrease, and this is the only way you will get used to it.
Thus, you will be able to minimize your longing for food and drinks that are high in salt and sugar which would be beneficial for you during Ramadan and the course of your life as well.
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Eat healthy foods before fasting
When you are near the date of fasting, try to skip processed foods. Instead of taking processed foods, you need to take whole foods and make sure you avoid sugary foods. If you eat foods high in sugar, it can cause your blood sugar to hit and will increase your appetite. So, you can take fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods will assist you to keep your appetite stable and make it easier for you to begin your fast.
Drink enough water
Remember you need to drink plenty of water before you begin your fast. Taking enough water is necessary to maintain your health, and it can also help restrain your appetite as well. Research has shown that a man should drink about 13 cups or 3 liters and a woman should drink 9 cups or 2.2 liters a day. Drinking enough water also helps you suppress your cravings and ease into your fast.
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Early breakfast
As you have to wake up early for Suhoor to take the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan, it would be better for you if you habituate it earlier. So, if you start taking an early breakfast now, it will help your body get used to the earlier hours.
Stop snacking
It is very important to stop your snacking habit before you are going to start fasting for a long time like during the month of Ramadan. Just take 3 meals a day; breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This habit before starting fasting will discipline your stomach to accept food consumption at fixed mealtimes. Remember, during Ramadan, you can only have your main meals two times a day; during Suhoor and Iftar.
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Lower your caffeine intake
Make sure you reduce your caffeine intake before Ramadan. Caffeine is habit-forming and if you cannot decrease your caffeine input before Ramadan, you won’t be able to prevent your body from experiencing acute caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are dangerous that can cause irritability, anger, impatience, restlessness, and concentration problems. They will ultimately affect your daily tasks and wellbeing.
Reduce smoking
Like caffeine intake, smoking is also habit-forming and it is not easy to give up easily. If you give it up suddenly, you can experience various withdrawal symptoms like irritability, anger, restlessness, impatience, and difficulty concentrating during fasting hours. So, make sure you minimize this fatal habit before Ramadan.
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Regulate sleep
Follow your own stepping pattern that you are used to and try to do it constantly. It is necessary for every person to take at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night to become healthy. Required hours of sleeping help to equip with enough energy for the day and decrease the risk of chronic problems like heart disease and stroke.
Refer to your doctor
It is wise to consult with your doctor about whether you are good to go for fasting. You need to do so and follow your doctor’s instructions of course if you have health concerns like diabetes, gastric complications, high blood pressure.
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Discomfort Anxiety v Depression: Differences, Ways of Prevention
While anxiety is often regarded to be a high-energy condition, depression is supposed to be a low-energy state. Discomfort anxiety and depression are more connected than most people realize. Individuals who have anxious distress in addition to depression may be at an increased risk of suicide or need more intense therapy, making it critical to recognize these symptoms in addition to the sadness. Above all, it is critical to remember to refer a patient to a doctor or mental health expert to see if his or her symptoms match the criteria for a depressive or anxiety illness.
What is Discomfort Anxiety?
Each human being is affected by this bad energy, which is continually whimpering within our heads and preventing us from living a successful, responsible life. Anxiety about discomfort is not even near to depression. It is just a bee buzzing around within our heads, seeking immediate satisfaction in order to prevent delayed gratification. Refusing immediate reward from alleviating our pain worry does not imply that we are denying ourselves pleasure.
We must manage our priorities while also being far-sighted about what will genuinely make us successful in the long term. Being successful is not a certain outcome; rather, it is a way of life that promotes satisfaction.
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How to Prevent Discomfort Anxiety
Confronting Every Fear
You cannot overcome the dread of doing something by refusing to do it. Oftentimes, those who struggle to get out of their comfort zone do not acquire communication skills. They are always attempting to avoid awkward, uncomfortable contact with strangers.
Turning down significant possibilities only due to your concern has immobilized every good energy inside you. Therefore, it is critical that you push yourself to the limit and face your concerns.
Keeping Persistent Attitude
Man can’t conquer his phobias in a single day or with a single try. You should bear in mind that little droplets of water that continue to fall create a hole in the rock. Join a small circle to explore your creativity, become involved in groups, work with teams, and eventually lead any team. Eliminate each of your unresponsiveness.
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Nail-biting in Children, Teenagers: Causes, Dangers, Ways of Prevention
Nail-biting is a common issue in school-age children and teens. It is generally very common at puberty. It is annoying as well as problematic for their health. When children feel more stressed, it may happen. But like other habits such as thumb sucking, teeth grinding, hair twisting, and nose picking, it usually goes away on its own with time. But what if it doesn’t? Check out here some proven ways to help children to stop biting their nails.
What is Nail-biting?
Nail-biting, known as ‘onychophagia’ is a general stress-relieving habit. Children may bite their nails in times of stress or excitement, or in times of boredom or inactivity. Sometimes, they learn this behavior from family members. But they may bite their nails without realizing that they are doing it. Biting the cuticle and soft tissue surrounding the nail as well as biting the nail itself usually includes nail-biting.
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Common Causes of Nail Biting in Children
Research has shown that about 30% to 60% of kids and teens bite their nails. Various reasons are responsible for nail-biting in children like anxiety, stress, boredom, and comfort. Common reasons include:
For Comfort
Actually, nail-biting is a modified form of thumb-sucking that little kids feel comfortable doing when they are playing or being on their own. Like them, children and teenagers bite their nails as it feels comforting to them.
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Boredom
Kids prefer to bite their nails if they feel bored or doing something monotonous. Children and teenagers may do it when they are not involved in an activity and their hands are free; during watching TV or attending a class.
To Relieve Anxiety and Stress
Circumstances at home or school that can cause stress or anxiety provoke nail-biting in teenagers and children. The stressful situations that can cause them to get anxious include Quarrels between family members or parents; Deprivation of a family member or a close one; Divorce; Relocating to a new city or home; Joining a new school; Getting bullied by other kids; Punishment; and The pressure to do better in class or sports.
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Imitating Habits of Others
Children pick up the behaviors of others quickly. Nail-biting is one such behavior that is common, and when they see another sibling or a family member doing it, they imitate the habit.
Genetics
It can be a genetic habit also. This habit develops among those children who experience it in the family, especially in parents.
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Dangers and Health Risks of Nail Biting Habit
If this habit simply wears itself out and disappears, there is nothing serious to worry about. But, sometimes it creates dangerous health risks for your child. It could negatively affect your child’s social relationships or interfere with their daily functioning. You will notice that sometimes your child complains that other children are teasing them about their bitten nails.
The noticeable health risk is that it can lead to painful ingrown nails or nail infections caused by bacteria that have entered the damaged skin around the nail.
Not common but chronic nail biters usually, adolescents can damage their nail beds and teeth. This is known as onychophagia. Severe nail-biting is an indication of anxiety.
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Proven Ways to Stop Nail Biting in Children
A sturdy dose of self-control is necessary to stop any habit. But in the case of a child who bites their nails, you need to increase self-control — yours plus theirs. Here are proven strategies to help:
Pacify Anxiety
If you feel your child bites his nails more when he or she is stressed or anxious, take time to talk to him. Children as well as teenagers are generally anxious about matters like changing schools, moving to a different place, or conflicts within the family. Make sure you talk with him when he is in the right mood.
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Cut nails short
Your toddler can not bite nails if they are not there. So keep their nails well-trimmed. This also saves your kid from bacteria and dirt that are caught under the nails. In the same way, you can educate your teenage son or daughter about the health risks of nail-biting and encourage them to keep their nails short.
Create a code
It would not be easy to stop your kid from nail-biting by telling him always. But you can choose a secret code to use to remind them to stop. That may be a specific word that you say, a touch on the shoulder, or a whistle.
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Offer an Alternative
An alternative something can release their anxiety and fidgeting. In this case, you can use a stress ball which is great for releasing anxiety. When children squeeze and roll it in their hands. They can feel relaxed.
Considering the age of your children, you can make them busy with various activities and projects. For children, arts and crafts can be the best option that stimulates their imagination to relieve their stress. Besides, outdoor activities, playtime, and sports are also some of the best ways to release pent-up energy for teenagers.
Make Them Aware of the Habit
Nail-biting is an unconscious habit. Children do not know that they are doing it and hence get surprised when you yell at them to stop. So, you need to talk to the child about the bad sides of nail-bating and suggest ways to make them stop it.
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Use a reward system
Children like rewards. So make sure you offer a small prize or reward for each day they don’t bite their nails. At the end of the week, of course, they get to choose a prize instead of nail-biting.
Engage them with busting activities
Engaging them with some creative activities like coloring books, blank drawing pads, pretend play, pillow forts, relieving them from nail-biting. Moreover, you can also distract your child from the habit by taking them to the park, working on a puzzle together, or cooking or baking together.
The Bitter Taste Trick
You will find child-safe liquids available in medical stores that are made to quit the nail-biting habit in children. You could apply one of those to their nails according to the recommendation of your child’s pediatrician. The bitter taste of those liquids may stop this habit.
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Long COVID hits children far less than adults: study
Children are much less at risk of complications from COVID-19 than adults, a leading British health expert said Monday.
Shamez Ladhani, a consultant paediatrician at the UK Health Security Agency, said new data published Monday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) should be reassuring for parents, clinicians and policy makers.
Ladhani, also chief investigator of the ONS study, said, "it is reassuring that the vast majority of primary and secondary school aged children surveyed since March 2020 have not experienced long COVID symptoms."
He said that as the findings show that children are much less at risk of complications from COVID-19 than adults, keeping children in school, where mental health support is available, remains vital.
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"This data provides important information about the potential direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 on children and young people," said Patrick Nguipdop Djomo, co-chief investigator of the study at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
The study was jointly led by ONS, the LSHTM, and UK Health Security Agency.