Toxoplasma DNA, PCr Tips

Vitamin B12 - How Important Is It For Good Health?

Dt. Rashmi Sharma 90% (25 ratings)
Post Graduate In Food Science & Nutrition
Dietitian/Nutritionist, Faridabad
Vitamin B12 - How Important Is It For Good Health?

Studies show that approx. 40% of the U.S population suffers from B-12 levels that are extremely low. With low B-12 levels, your brain doesn’t work quite right and you might suffer from chronic fatigue. But vitamin B-12 does more than just supporting healthy energy levels. It benefits your mood, heart, memory, skin, hair, digestion and more. 

Because of its wide-reaching roles within the body, a vitamin B12 deficiency can turn up in various negative symptoms, many of which can be noted very easily, such as chronic stress, fatigue, mood disorders like depression, and feeling run down. Vitamin B-12 complex functionality is mirrored in its plethora of health benefits-

  1. It is responsible for the conversion of raw carbohydrate matter that enters into the body in the form of food into glucose that is the driving energy for the body. Therefore, in a way it helps to keep the continuity of energy production in the human body and its deficiency, therefore, can lead to fatigue or weakness.
  2. Every single nature of human cells is related to the DNA and RNA that define the genetics and hereditary factors of a human body. Vitamin B12 assists in the creation of this DNA and RNA.
  3. Vitamin B12 also helps in the production of nerve cells in the human body by maintaining the covering of the nerve cells or neurons known as the myelin sheaths. This helps to free the body from the reach of toxins and free radicals that can be very harmful to the human body. Hence, any shortage of vitamin B12 can damage the nerve cells in a considerable manner.
  4. The bones of the human body need vitamin B12 as well and any deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause osteoporosis and other bone issues.
  5. Vitamin B12 in association with another vitamin known as vitamin B9 (folate or folic acid) helps in the manufacture of red blood cells that help in impressive iron functioning, which is the main oxygen carrier of the human blood. Quite evidently, its deficiency can lead to shortness of breath and other breathing disorders.
  6. Even heart requires an adequate amount of vitamin B12 along with vitamin B6 and vitamin B9 so that appropriate levels of amino acid named homocysteine are produced that is a deciding factor in heart diseases.
  7. Vitamin B12 is an essential component affecting the brain health too, and any deficiency of vitamin B12 can often lead to various brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and the like.

Above all, vitamin B12 is vital for keeping an individual happy and healthy by revitalising the body cells and making him or her feel youthful and vibrant all the time. 

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

4656 people found this helpful

Three Person IVF - Certain Questions That Need Answers!

Dr. Sameer Pahlajani 88% (29 ratings)
MBBS
IVF Specialist, Raipur
Three Person IVF - Certain Questions That Need Answers!

Diseases which are caused by some sort of genetic mutations in the mitochondria, can be quite deadly. This is the reason why Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy, also known as Three-Person IVF is being seen as a much more desired option for those women, who carry mitochondrial mutations.

Almost all the genes in a cell remain trapped in the nucleus but a small fraction of them remain present in the mitochondria as well. During the fertilisation of eggs, the genes in the egg’s nucleus get combined with the genes in the nucleus of the sperm, which in turn creates a new cell. On the other hand, mitochondrial genes are involved in this mixing. Rather they are passed on from mother to child.

The main reason behind three-person IVF is to help find a way, so that the mitochondrial genes can be replaced in an affected cell of the egg prior to the time they get passed on to the child. This is carried out when the egg cell of the donor gets acquired and the nucleus is removed from the cell, hence leaving the cell with healthy mitochondria. After that, the mother’s nucleus, which stays unaffected, is removed and gets placed in the donor’s egg cell, thereby creating an egg cell which must contain healthy genes not only in the nucleus but also in the mitochondria.

Genes Are Complex in Nature

  • Genes communicate with one another. Cells get engaged in a variety of complex processes like division of cells or respiration, which are highly unlikely to be performed only by single genes acting in an isolated manner. So a network of genes works together, with each one making a contribution of certain particular components.
  • Genes tend to be variable in nature, which basically means that no two genomes are similar. Due to this reason, the result of a typical pair of genes interacting with one another will at times be different for different individuals. This is the dark side of genetics, which has not been studied in a comprehensive manner and experts are not aware of exactly how widespread this might be.
  • Experts call this type of effect as Epistasis, which can occur between individual genes, between two or more sets of genes or even between whole genomes. The one occurring between whole genomes, has relevance to discuss about the safety and ethics of MRT. The reason is that, when a mitochondrial genome from a donor replaces the affected mitochondria, the parents’ nuclear DNA must communicate with a completely new genomic partner. The ethical implications related to the epistasis getting changed between nuclear DNA and mitochondrial have thus far been completely ignored.

Ethics Comes First
The review of the ethics related to MRT or Three-Person IVF came up with the conclusion that if the procedure was safe, then it could be considered as ethical. In other words, they concluded that if the trials carried out on humans showed that the treatment undertaken was safe, then it could also be considered as ethical as well.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult a specialist & get answers to your questions!

6288 people found this helpful

Why Is Vitamin B12 Important For Your Health?

Dt. Ms. Janvi Chitalia 88% (46 ratings)
ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, Specialist In Fitness Nutrition, PG Diploma In Weight Management
Dietitian/Nutritionist, Mumbai
Why Is Vitamin B12 Important For Your Health?

The human body requires the basic nutrients for its normal functioning which are carbohydrates, fats and proteins. However, there are certain vital vitamins and minerals too, that are equally important because these help in maintaining the proper health of a human body in various ways. One such vitamin is Vitamin B complex of which, there is a crucial vitamin known as Vitamin B12 or scientifically called as Cobalamin.

Functions of Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 plays a major role by controlling several factors of the human body. These are necessary for the body to run well and stay healthy. Some of the key functions of Vitamin B12 are listed below:

  1. It is responsible for the conversion of raw carbohydrate matter that enters into the body in the form of food into glucose that is the driving energy for the body. Therefore, in a way it helps to keep the continuity of energy production in the human body and its deficiency, therefore, can lead to fatigue or weakness.
  2. Every single nature of human cells is related to the DNA and RNA that define the genetics and hereditary factors of a human body. Vitamin B12 assists in the creation of this DNA and RNA.
  3. Vitamin B12 also helps in the production of nerve cells in the human body by maintaining the covering of the nerve cells or neurones known as the myelin sheaths. This helps to free the body from the reach of toxins and free radicals that can be very harmful to the human body. Hence, any shortage of Vitamin B12 can damage the nerve cells in a considerable manner.
  4. The bones of the human body need Vitamin B12 as well and any deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause osteoporosis and other bone issues.
  5. Vitamin B12 in association with another vitamin known as Vitamin B9 (folate or folic acid) helps in the manufacture of red blood cells that help in impressive iron functioning, which is the main oxygen carrier of the human blood. Quite evidently, its deficiency can lead to shortness of breath and other breathing disorders.
  6. Even heart requires an adequate amount of Vitamin B12 along with Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B9 so that appropriate levels of amino acid named homocysteine are produced that is a deciding factor in heart diseases.
  7. Vitamin B12 is an essential component affecting the brain health too, and any deficiency of Vitamin B12 can often lead to various brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and the like.

In fact, Vitamin B12 has also been found to regulate mood and emotions of humans. Above all, Vitamin B12 is vital for keeping an individual happy and healthy by revitalising the body cells and making him or her feel youthful and vibrant all the time.

6196 people found this helpful

General Facts About Melanoma!

Dr. Jangid Skin Ex.Sr A.I.I.M.S. 87% (146 ratings)
MD, Ex Sr Dermatologist AIIMS New Delhi
Dermatologist, Delhi
General Facts About Melanoma!

Melanoma is a condition which mainly indicates a severe malfunction of the melanocytes or the melanin producing cells of the body. These cells are responsible for giving you your skin colour, tone and complexion. Usually, a person suffering from melanoma will have many normal and irregular moles as well as melanoma in the eye and digestive tracts too.

Some general facts on melanoma are mentioned below:

  1. Melanoma is common in young women and causes many deaths.

  2. More than one million new instances of skin cancer or melanoma are analyzed every year.

  3. There has been a 2000% increase in rate of melanoma since the year 1930. One out of fifty get affected by this cancer.

  4. There has been a high rise in the rate of melanoma from 1970 to 2008. There has been an 800% increase in young women and 400% increase in case of similar aged men.

  5. Early recognition makes melanoma treatable. It is screened for growth very minimally.

Primary causes Melanoma may be caused primarily due to these causes:

The most primary cause of melanoma is ultraviolet light (UV) in people with a low level of skin pigment. The UV light might be from either the sun or from different sources, for example, tanning devices. Around 25% of cases occur from or in the form of moles.

The individuals who work on airplanes seem to have an expanded danger, due to more contact with UV rays.

Ultraviolet UV light of wavelengths between 315 - 280 nm from the sun react with the skin cell DNA and result in a kind of direct DNA harm called cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs).

In order to stay away or avoid melanoma, you should:

  1. Avoid the sun at peak hours.

  2. Examine your skin at times for some kind of change.

  3. Keep away from tanning salons. Melanoma is a dangerous form of cancer and causes a lot of deaths. You should stay away from anything that causes melanoma. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

2609 people found this helpful

10 Fruits You Should Eat Daily!

Dt. Sweta Shah 90% (25 ratings)
B.Sc - Home Science, MSc - Nutrition & Food Processing, MSc - Food Production Management
Dietitian/Nutritionist, Mumbai
10 Fruits You Should Eat Daily!

Fruits are a superfood category of their own. They are the powerhouse of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants and an excellent contribution to your diet. Consuming them daily can provide you with some amazing health benefits and keep you away from unnecessary ailments.

Here are ten fruits you should be eating daily:

  1. Apples: There is a reason why an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples are filled with antioxidants, soluble and insoluble fibre and quercetin. Antioxidants boost your immunity and the fibre provides you with energy and maintains a healthy bowel, while quercetin has anti-allergy and antihistamine (compounds which curb the effects of histamine, primarily used to treat allergies) properties.
  2. Grapes: Grapes contain an antioxidant named resveratrol, which prevents heart diseases and premature aging of your cells. In addition, they are also great sources of folate and vitamin B6, C and A which contribute to a healthier immune system.
  3. Bananas: Bananas have low sodium and high potassium levels. Thus, they are extremely beneficial in maintaining blood pressure and preventing strokes. Bananas also contain protease inhibitors, which prevent stomach ulcers (protease is a digestive enzyme that produces acid).
  4. Strawberries: Strawberries might be small, but they do pack a lot of nutrients! A handful of strawberries daily can prevent diabetes type 2, inflammations and heart disease. They are also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.
  5. PapayaPapayas contain a substance called ‘papain’ which is an incredible digestive stimulant. They also contain large amounts of folate, which helps in proper DNA repair and synthesis.
  6. Oranges: Oranges provide you with vitamin C and potassium, which are essential for enhanced muscle and digestive functions. The membrane between orange segments contains hesperidin, which has been proven to reduce cholesterol.
  7. KiwiKiwi contains more vitamin C than oranges which grants them the ability to prevent DNA damage and also help reduce risks of developing cataracts.
  8. Blueberries: Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants which aid in fighting cancer and macular degeneration (an eye disease which results in vision loss). They also contain compounds that protect you from urinary tract infections.
  9. Lemon: Lemons contain citric acid, which effectively lowers cholesterol and cuts down on body fat. Citric acid is also an excellent digestive stimulant. Also, the refreshing scent of lemons reduces anxiety, nervousness and fatigue.
  10. Grapefruit: Grapefruit is an excellent appetite suppressant, which cuts down on your cravings. It also contains a soluble fibre named ‘pectin’, which lessens the development of atherosclerosis (build-up of cholesterol and fats on the walls of the artery). However, refrain from consuming grapefruit if you are on prescription medications.

The above discussed fruits contain some amazing benefits that ensure all your body functions run smoothly. Hence, start having them from today only to enjoy a healthy life ahead.

8646 people found this helpful

10 Fruits You Must Be Having On A Daily Basis!

Dt. Aastha Singhal 90% (345 ratings)
BSc - Food & Applied Nutrition, MSc - Food & Applied Nutrition
Dietitian/Nutritionist, Faridabad
10 Fruits You Must Be Having On A Daily Basis!

Fruits are a superfood category of their own. They are the powerhouse of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants and an excellent contribution to your diet. Here are ten fruits you should be eating daily:

  1. Apples: There is a reason why an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples are filled with antioxidants, soluble and insoluble fibre and quercetin. Antioxidants boost your immunity and the fibre provides you with energy and maintains a healthy bowel, while quercetin has anti-allergy and antihistamine (compounds which curb the effects of histamine, primarily used to treat allergies) properties.
  2. Grapes: Grapes contain an antioxidant named resveratrol, which prevents heart diseases and premature aging of your cells. In addition, they are also great sources of folate and vitamin B6, C and A which contribute to a healthier immune system.
  3. Bananas: Bananas have low sodium and high potassium levels. Thus, they are extremely beneficial in maintaining blood pressure and preventing strokes. Bananas also contain protease inhibitors, which prevent stomach ulcers (protease is a digestive enzyme that produces acid).
  4. Strawberries: Strawberries might be small, but they do pack a lot of nutrients! A handful of strawberries daily can prevent diabetes type 2, inflammations and heart disease. They are also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C.
  5. PapayaPapayas contain a substance called ‘papain’ which is an incredible digestive stimulant. They also contain large amounts of folate, which helps in proper DNA repair and synthesis.
  6. Oranges: Oranges provide you with vitamin C and potassium, which are essential for enhanced muscle and digestive functions. The membrane between orange segments contains hesperidin, which has been proven to reduce cholesterol.
  7. KiwiKiwi contains more vitamin C than oranges which grants them the ability to prevent DNA damage and also help reduce risks of developing cataracts.
  8. Blueberries: Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants which aid in fighting cancer and macular degeneration (an eye disease which results in vision loss). They also contain compounds that protect you from urinary tract infections.
  9. Lemon: Lemons contain citric acid, which effectively lowers cholesterol and cuts down on body fat. Citric acid is also an excellent digestive stimulant. Also, the refreshing scent of lemons reduces anxiety, nervousness and fatigue.
  10. GrapefruitGrapefruit is an excellent appetite suppressant, which cuts down on your cravings. It also contains a soluble fibre named ‘pectin’, which lessens the development of atherosclerosis (build-up of cholesterol and fats on the walls of the artery). However, refrain from consuming grapefruit if you are on prescription medications.
5105 people found this helpful

Dr. Bhupendra Chauhan 86% (12 ratings)
MD - Consultant Physician
General Physician, Bhopal
Your 5-Step Plan for Living Longer

Nobody lives forever. But if you make these small lifestyle changes, you could add years to your life.

You’ve built a lot of stuff in your life—maybe a deck, perhaps some muscle, certainly your reputation. But no matter how boast-worthy (or cringe-inducing) the final results, all of your projects up to this point have just been warmups for this one: constructing stronger and longer telomeres.

These caps on the ends of your chromosomes influence the way you age, and by building buff telomeres you may reduce your risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. 

That’s why you should consider this five-step plan your blueprint to living a longer life. Granted, no one will actually be able to see the results of your hard work. So what? Your longevity will be proof of a job well done. 

1. Bring Those 10 Minutes to Your Quiet Space

Sit down, close your eyes, and breathe in and out to the count of 10. 

2. Eat Your Greens with Orange Peppers

This combo contains lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C, three antioxidants that protect your DNA from free-radical damage. 

3. Finally Learn Your Neighbor’s Name

You’ll both benefit from getting to know each other: A study reported that people who live in communities with lower levels of social cohesion and safety had shorter telomeres than residents of more tightly knit neighborhoods. 

4. Want to Pair Those Peppers with Protein?

Grill up salmon or tuna, which are filled to the gills with omega-3 fatty acids. 

5. Use Your Self-Awareness to Monitor Your Folate Intake

In a 2015 study, people with the highest levels of folate, found in leafy greens, had the shortest telomeres. 

Too much of it can damage DNA. But don’t skimp on spinach; cut back on fortified grains, like cereal. 

HAVE A HEALTHY LIVING ...



Know Everything About Melanoma

Dr. Dharamvir Singh 91% (1270 ratings)
MD - Dermatology , Venereology & Leprosy, MBBS
Dermatologist, Delhi
Know Everything About Melanoma

Melanoma, also referred to as malignant melanoma, is a type of cancer. It evolves from the color or pigment containing cells known as melanocytes. Melanomas normally happen in the skin, yet may once in a while it may happen in the mouth, guts, or eyes as well. In women, it generally happens in the legs, while in men they are most regularly on the back. Sometime a mole may also raise your concern by increasing in size, developing abnormal edges, a change of color or itching and irritability. This may also prompt breakdown of the skin.

Some general facts on melanoma are mentioned below:
1. More than one million new instances of skin cancer or melanoma are analyzed every year.
2. There has been a 2000% increase in rate of melanoma since the year 1930. One out of fifty get affected by this cancer.
3. This is common in young women and causes many deaths.
4. Women below the age of forty are at more risk of getting melanoma than any other kind of cancer such as breast cancer.
5. There has been a high rise in the rate of melanoma from 1970 to 2008. There has been an 800% increase in young women and 400% increase in case of similar aged men.
6. Early recognition makes melanoma treatable. It is screened for growth very minimally.

Primary causes:
Melanomia may be caused primarily due to these causes:

  1. The most primary cause of melanoma is ultraviolet light (UV) in people with a low level of skin pigment. The UV light might be from either the sun or from different sources, for example, tanning devices. Around 25% of cases occur from or in the form of moles
  2. Those with numerous moles, presence of the disease in family members and who have poor immunity are at more noteworthy risk to get melanoma. Various uncommon hereditary defects, such as xeroderma pigmentosum increase the risk of melanoma.
  3. The individuals who work on airplanes seem to have an expanded danger, due to more contact with UV rays.
  4. Ultraviolet UVB light of wavelengths between 315 - 280 nm from the sun react with the skin cell DNA and result in a kind of direct DNA harm called cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). 

In order to stay away or avoid melanoma, you should:

  1. Spend less time in direct sunlight and should seek shade.
  2. Avoid the sun at peak hours.
  3. Examine your skin at times for some kind of change.
  4. Keep away from tanning salons.

Melanoma is a dangerous form of cancer and causes a lot of deaths. You should stay away from anything that causes melanoma. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a dermatologist.

2887 people found this helpful

Vitamin B12 - Understanding Its Importance For Health!

Dr. Bhavna Gandhi 91% (84 ratings)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Science - MS, Food and Nutrition, A
Dietitian/Nutritionist, Meerut
Vitamin B12 - Understanding Its Importance For Health!

The human body requires the basic nutrients for its normal functioning which are carbohydrates, fats and proteins. However, there are certain vital vitamins and minerals too, that are equally important because these help in maintaining the proper health of a human body in various ways. One such vitamin is Vitamin Bcomplex of which, there is a crucial vitamin known as Vitamin B12 or scientifically called as Cobalamin.

Functions of Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 plays a major role by controlling several factors of the human body. These are necessary for the body to run well and stay healthy. Some of the key functions of Vitamin B12 are listed below:

  1. It is responsible for the conversion of raw carbohydrate matter that enters into the body in the form of food into glucose that is the driving energy for the body. Therefore, in a way it helps to keep the continuity of energy production in the human body and its deficiency, therefore, can lead to fatigue or weakness.
  2. Every single nature of human cells is related to the DNA and RNA that define the genetics and hereditary factors of a human body. Vitamin B12 assists in the creation of this DNA and RNA.
  3. Vitamin B12 also helps in the production of nerve cells in the human body by maintaining the covering of the nerve cells or neurones known as the myelin sheaths. This helps to free the body from the reach of toxins and free radicals that can be very harmful to the human body. Hence, any shortage of Vitamin B12 can damage the nerve cells in a considerable manner.
  4. The bones of the human body need Vitamin B12 as well and any deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause osteoporosis and other bone issues.
  5. Vitamin B12 in association with another vitamin known as Vitamin B9 (folate or folic acid) helps in the manufacture of red blood cells that help in impressive iron functioning, which is the main oxygen carrier of the human blood. Quite evidently, its deficiency can lead to shortness of breath and other breathing disorders.
  6. Even heart requires an adequate amount of Vitamin B12 along with Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B9 so that appropriate levels of amino acid named homocysteine are produced that is a deciding factor in heart diseases.
  7. Vitamin B12 is an essential component affecting the brain health too, and any deficiency of Vitamin B12 can often lead to various brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and the like.

In fact, Vitamin B12 has also been found to regulate mood and emotions of humans. Above all, Vitamin B12 is vital for keeping an individual happy and healthy by revitalising the body cells and making him or her feel youthful and vibrant all the time.

3371 people found this helpful

Miscarriage - What Causes It?

Dr. Sonal Kumar 91% (505 ratings)
fellow in Obstetric Medicine , MS - Obstetrics and Gynaecology, FMAS, DMAS, MBBS
Gynaecologist, Hyderabad
Miscarriage - What Causes It?

A miscarriage can have adverse effects on both physical and emotional health. The impact of one such event can last for a very long time and harm your social behavior and thus, relationships. It is important to understand that in most cases, it is no one's fault. A number of things can go wrong naturally during the development of the fetus and so, the feelings of guilt, shame and anger are best avoided.

Here are the common causes responsible for miscarriages:

  1. Chromosomal defects: Chromosomal abnormalities are responsible for more than half of the miscarriages around the world. The development conditions like Turner syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome etc. can be detected by the system and upon detection, the system often chooses to shut itself down leading to a miscarriage. If the cause of the miscarriage is identified as a chromosomal flaw, then a maternal and fetal specialist or a genetic counselor can help solve the problem.
  2. DiabetesPregnant women can develop high levels of blood sugar even if they did not have diabetes mellitus in the past. This condition is known as Gestational diabetes mellitus. It occurs primarily due the changes in the regular hormonal cycles and secretion of pregnancy hormones and can result in a variety of complications, the most severe one being a miscarriage. A miscarriage may also be caused by a chronic diabetic condition. Also, both chronic and gestational diabetes can have an affect on the development of the baby and therefore can cause defects or miscarriage. Therefore, it is best to get your sugar in control before getting pregnant and maintain it throughout the pregnancy.
  3. Thyroid conditions: Both hypothyroidism (low production of thyroid hormones) and hyperthyroidism (high production of thyroid hormones) can be responsible for miscarriages. In case of hypothyroidism, the body produces more of the other hormones in order to make up for the deficiency and this interferes with the reproductive cycle. In case of hypothyroidism, the functionality of the estrogen hormone is compromised due to the over production of other hormones.
  4. Defects in sperm: It is possible due to a number of reasons like exposure to radiation, chemotherapy, smoking, overexposure to heat etc. and it is not able to fertilize the egg properly i.e. the DNA is not delivered efficiently. The eggs can sometimes repair the damage in the DNA but this does not happen always and a miscarriage is the likely outcome. The condition in males can be treated depending on the reason for the damage in the sperm.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

2923 people found this helpful