High cholesterol, which is a known factor for the decrease in heart health may harm more than our cardiovascular systems and lead to bone loss, say researchers including one of Indian-origin.

The new research conducted using animal models suggests that high levels of cholesterol can trigger mitochondrial oxidative stress on cartilage cells -- connective tissue -- causing them to die.

This may ultimately lead to the development of osteoarthritis -- a type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissue at the ends of bones wears down, said Indira Prasadam, a researcher at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.

For the study, Prasadam and her team used two different animal models to mimic human hypercholesterolemia.

The first was a mouse model that had an altered gene called Apolipoprotein E that made the animals hypercholesteremic.

The other was a rat model, and the animals were fed a high-cholesterol diet, causing diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.

Both models were fed a high-cholesterol diet or control normal diet, after which they underwent a surgery that mimics knee injuries in people and was designed to bring on osteoarthritis.

Both the mice and the rats that were subjected to surgery and fed with high-cholesterol diets showed more severe osteoarthritis development than seen in the normal diet group.

However, when both the mice and the rats were exposed to the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin and mitochondrion-targeted antioxidants, the development of osteoarthritis was markedly decreased in relation to the untreated groups.

This study tested the potential therapeutic role of mitochondria targeting antioxidants in high-cholesterol-induced osteoarthritis, the researchers said.

"Our team has already begun working alongside dieticians to try to educate the public about healthy eating and how to keep cholesterol levels at a manageable level that won't damage joints," Prasadam said.

The research was published online in The FASEB Journal.

Benefits of using boiled water instead of normal water are known and understood by everyone. But, just like all other processes, boiling water also has some disadvantages. Each time you boil water, its components do a reverse which makes it unhealthy for consumption. Frequently boiling water increases the amount of arsenic, nitrite and fluoride in it, and this can harm your health.

In addition to this, the vapours produced by boiling water has a tendency to re-enter the vessel, which can be a cause of serious ailments.

Here is some more detail on how boiling water over and over makes it unsuitable for your health.

Toxic Nitrite

Boiling of water exposes nitrite, which is one of its components. However, re-boiling water transforms nitrite into a toxin. High temperature turns nitrite into nitrosamine, which can cause fatal cancers.

Arsenic Intoxication

When water is boiled multiple times, the amount of arsenic in it increases disastrously. Consumption of this water puts you at risk of fatal conditions such as cancer, heart attack, several mental conditions and even infertility. People who consume arsenic polluted water in excess or for many years can experience skin damage or develop problems with their circulatory system.

Exposure to Fluoride
Repeatedly boiled water has an unhealthy amount of fluoride in it. Consumption of fluoride over a prolonged period increases the likelihood of bone fractures in adults and can result in bone pain and tenderness. For children aged 8 years or younger, exposure to fluoride in excess can increase a risk of developing of pits in tooth enamel along with other cosmetic effects on teeth.

High cholesterol, which is a known factor for the decrease in heart health may harm more than our cardiovascular systems and lead to bone loss, say researchers including one of Indian-origin.
The new research conducted using animal models suggests that high levels of cholesterol can trigger mitochondrial oxidative stress on cartilage cells -- connective tissue -- causing them to die.

This may ultimately lead to the development of osteoarthritis -- a type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissue at the ends of bones wears down, said Indira Prasadam, a researcher at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.
For the study, Prasadam and her team used two different animal models to mimic human hypercholesterolemia.

The first was a mouse model that had an altered gene called Apolipoprotein E that made the animals hypercholesteremic.
The other was a rat model, and the animals were fed a high-cholesterol diet, causing diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.

Both models were fed a high-cholesterol diet or control normal diet, after which they underwent a surgery that mimics knee injuries in people and was designed to bring on osteoarthritis.

Both the mice and the rats that were subjected to surgery and fed with high-cholesterol diets showed more severe osteoarthritis development than seen in the normal diet group.

However, when both the mice and the rats were exposed to the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin and mitochondrion-targeted antioxidants, the development of osteoarthritis was markedly decreased in relation to the untreated groups.

This study tested the potential therapeutic role of mitochondria targeting antioxidants in high-cholesterol-induced osteoarthritis, the researchers said.

"Our team has already begun working alongside dieticians to try to educate the public about healthy eating and how to keep cholesterol levels at a manageable level that won't damage joints," Prasadam said.
The research was published online in The FASEB Journal.

Women gain 90 to 96 per cent of their bone mass by age 20. But there’s no reason to give up. You can build bone strength at any age. In the spirit of standing strong, here are some ways to get healthy bones.

Eat healthy
Make sure your diet includes enough calcium and vitamin D. From dairy products to greens and eggs, a comprehensive diet means that your bones have the raw material they need. Also, look to fortified products like juice and grains for additional sources.

Stay healthy
Try to maintain your weight according to your height. Moderation is the key to alcohol intake. Avoiding the sun is a mistake – you need it for Vitamin D. You can also stock up on Women’s Horlicks, a health drink designed specifically for women’s nutritional needs for strong bones. It contains Calcium, Vitamin D and Vitamin K2, which are proven nutrients for bone health.

Work out
Include high impact and weight-bearing exercises, as well as strength training, in your daily routine. These ensure that your body and your bones remain fit and healthy.

Be vigilant
Get tests done when needed, and make sure your doctor updates you about any risk factors. Take genetics and hereditary factors into account. Some medical conditions like celiac disease and some medications like steroids may up the risk of osteoporosis. Find out how you can balance the risk.

Get some sun
Wake up early – and sit in the sun for 15 minutes every morning. This is the best time to absorb sunlight without sunscreen and risk. Not only will your bones thank you, but so will your to-do list!

चहा पिण्याची सवय अनेकदा फार जास्त वाढते आणि त्याचे नुकसान वेळोवेळी बघायला मिळतात. याने वेगवेगळ्या आजारांचा सामना करावा लागतो. रिकाम्या पोटी चहा प्यायल्याने आणि रोज एकपेक्षा जास्त वेळ चहा प्यायल्याने स्केलेटल फ्लोरोसिससारखा आजार होऊ शकतो. या आजारात आपली हाडे आतल्या आत कमजोर होता.

स्केलेटल फ्लोरोसिसमुळे शरीरात आर्थरायटिससारख्या वेदना होऊ लागतात. हा आजार खासकरुन हाडांमध्ये वेदना निर्माण करतो. त्यासोबतच कंबर, हात-पाय आणि सांधेदुखीची समस्याही वाढते.चहामध्ये असलेल्या फ्लोराइड मिनरल हाडांसाठी मोठा धोका आहे. तसेय यामुळे अल्सर आणि हायपर अॅसिडीटीसारख्या समस्याही होतात.

उशीरा दिसतो प्रभाव

चहाने हाडांचं नुकसान अचानक किंवा एकाएकी नाही तर फार उशीरा झालेलं बघायला मिळतं. चहाचा प्रभाव चहाची क्वालिटी, पिणाऱ्याचं शरीर आणि जेनेटिक्सच्या स्थितीवर निर्भर करतं. त्यासोबत चहा घेण्याची वेळ आणि चहा तयार करण्याची पद्धत यावरही निर्भर असतं. दुध आणि साखर असलेला चहा सतत पित राहणे चांगले नाही. खासकरुन तेव्हा जेव्हा तुम्ही हा चहा भूक घालवण्यासाठी, रिकाम्या पोटी किंवा जेवण केल्यावर लगेच घेता.

या गोष्टींची घ्या काळजी

चहा दिवसातून तीनपेक्षा जास्त वेळ घेऊ नये. खासकरुन रिकाम्या पोटी तर अजिबात घेऊ नये. प्रयत्न करा की, सामान्य चहाऐवजी ग्रीन टी, हर्बल टी सेवन करा. जेवणाआधी किंवा जेवणानंतर लगेच चहा घेऊ नका.

चहा प्यायल्यानंतर गुरळा करा आणि अर्ध्या तासाने भरपूर पाणी प्यावे. त्यासोबतच चहाची आठवण झाल्यावर छाछ, नारळाचं पाणी किंवा ज्यूस प्यायल्याने चहाची सवय सुटू शकते.