Vitamin C beneficial during pregnancy
Fruits are given to pregnant women for her health. It has been reported by reuters that vitamin C rich foods lower the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and swelling in the legs that affects one in 10 pregnant women for the first time. If it is left untreated, it may develop into preeclampsia, a life threatening condition in which has convulsive seizures.
Vitamin C also called ASCORBIC ACID, water-soluble, carbohydrate-like substance that is involved in certain of the metabolic processes of animals. Although most animals can synthesize vitamin C, it is necessary in the diet of some, including humans and other primates and guinea pigs, in order to prevent scurvy , a disease characterized by debility, blood changes, spongy gums, and hemorrhages in the tissues of the body. First isolated in 1928, vitamin C was identified as the curative agent for scurvy in 1932. It has since been the object of continued active laboratory research.
Actual quantities of vitamin C in fruits are not especially large, but the vitamin is particularly important in the diet because of its role in the prevention of disease and in the general promotion of good health. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, are well known for their vitamin C content. Other sources include most berries and melons. Carotene, a chemical common to fruit, is easily converted in the body to vitamin A; cantaloupes, peaches, and apricots are significant sources of this nutrient.
Preeclampsia is diagnosed after 20 weeks' gestation and is categorized as either mild or severe, although both forms must be considered dangerous to the mother and fetus. Mild preeclampsia is typically characterized by the following symptoms: a rise in blood pressure from that prior to 20 weeks' gestation of at least 30 mm Hg systolic or 15 mm Hg diastolic (or, if the earlier blood pressure is unknown, a level of 140/90 mm Hg after 20 weeks' gestation) on two occasions at least six hours apart; excretion of 0.3 gram (0.01 ounce) of protein or more in the urine during a 24-hour period; and evident swelling or rapid weight gain resulting from fluid retention. Coagulation and disturbances of liver functions are less common but are extremely serious.
Severe preeclampsia is defined by any of the following symptoms occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy: a systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 110 mm Hg or higher on two or more occasions at least six hours apart, excretion of five grams or more of protein in the urine during a 24-hour period, a reduction in the amount of urine normally excreted (500 millilitres or less in 24 hours), cerebral or visual disturbances, epigastric pain, and pulmonary edema or cyanosis (bluish or purplish colour of the skin).
Sleep more live less
Researchers from the University of California at San Diego found sleeping for more than eight hours or more a night could shorten our life. The scientists found that people who slept from than eight hours are 12% more likely to die within the study’s six year period compared to those sleeping seven hours. There is increased risk of 15% for those who slept eight hours or less than 4-1/2 hours. The study was lead by a UCSD professor Dr. Daniel Kripke. He said the only basis of the eight hour sleep is what grandma used to say! The scientist claimed that people who slept 5, 6, or 7 hours have nothing to worry about.
Nowadays sleep is reduced by tension and work stress. There are many back office jobs where a candidate remains awake all night for his work. In the morning, the sleep is not sound as in the night. There are a lot of disturbances. But for the lazy people sleeping for long hours is harmful.