Therapy through Social Medicine: Cultivating Connections and Inspiring Solutions for Healthy Living

Objective: This paper is to identify key areas where healthy living may be improved in India, and the converse, through cultivating connections at government, community, and at individual levels. Methods and Materials: Key healthy living issues for India were selected and relevant evidence obtained from internet sources together with personal experience over decades of multi- and inter-disciplinary international research activities. Approach: Key activities of connectivity in the development of Indian healthcare arising from “Methods and Materials” were evaluated. These included, the UN Millennium Development Goals, government-private interaction for healthcare benefit, family planning, Modicare 2015, women in society, business and clinical strategies, infrastructure, building “families”, fish stocks preservation, ecological epidemiology, NCDs, and transgenesis. Results: In a nutritional context, “education for all” leading to connectivity and a pragmatic inspirational approach to understanding complex issues of population dynamics is essential. Of importance are scientific endeavours in agriculture and aquaculture, water utilization, food manufacture, complex issues of supply and demand at an economic eco-friendly and sustainable level, chemoprevention and treatment of diseases (where nutritionally applicable) such as with functional foods: all of which are so vital if one is to raise standards for healthy living in this century and beyond. Developing-India could be a test-bed for other countries to follow, having both the problems and professional understanding of issues raised. By 2025, the UK’s Department for International Development programme in India aims to promote secondary school education for young girls, i.e., extending the age of marriage, and interventions that will lead to better health and nutrition, family planning, and developing skills for employment; and supporting India’s “Right to Education Act”. The outcome may result in smaller better-nourished higher-income families. Computer school networks at Nosegay Public School in Moradabad and the municipal authorities, there, aim to reduce the consumption of unhealthy foodstuff dictated by personal convenience, media influence, and urban retail outlets and promotions. The Tsim Tsoum Institute has advocated the adoption of the Mediterranean/Palaeolithic diet with its high omega-3: omega-6 fatty acid ratio aimed at an improvement in global health due to an expected reduction in the epidemic of pre-metabolic disease, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease [1,2]. Tomorrow, low-cost computer apps are advocated as a driving force in the selection of healthy foods, grown/produced under environmentally safe conditions, within retail outlets for use by mothers with limited budgets that may lead to a revolution in retail management and policy. Chemo-preventive prospective strategies such as those involving polyphenols, lignans, (found in fruits, vegetables, and soya) and other natural phytochemical products, and functional foods, which balance benefit and risk of disease, need to be continually developed, especially to reduce breast and prostate cancer. Conclusion: There is an opportunity to make nutrition a central part of the post-2015 sustainable human and agricultural development agenda for the The Expert Panel for the UN 2030 programme to consider. Solutions for cultivating connections and inspiring solutions for healthy living in India have included all the above issues and this swathe of actions, some within the Nagoya protocol, has been presented for the purpose of contributing towards the health of India

Circadian time structure of fatty acids and vascular monitoring

Summary The circadian variation of 40 circulating fatty acids related variables was assessed from one man (F) and one woman (G). Each provided blood samples by finger pricking at about 4-hour intervals for 24 hours. A statistically significant rhythm was found in 65% of the variables after data expressed as a percentage of their 24-hour mean values were pooled. In particular, a putative circadian rhythm for n-3 and n-6 fatty acids deserves exploration. The predominant 12-hour component found to characterize the n-3 status of G may stem from the odd schedule she followed on the day of study, as attested by alterations in the time structure of her blood pressure on the day of study, as compared to similarly collected data on 33 other Sundays in 2009 available as control information. Circadian vascular characteristics are sensitive markers of loads, including the rest-activity schedule

Effects of Prayer and Meditation on Circadian Dysfunction

Prayer, meditation and mindfulness have been commonly used for healing in Vedic, Jainism, Buddhism, Egyptian, Greek and Mesopotemian cultures [1]. In Buddhism, mindfulness is a component of Eight Fold Path, therefore using mindfulness in the modern science is not absolutely correct. A definition of prayers of Mesopotamia was “praise to god followed by request.” The ancient mystic Hinduism wrote Rigveda prayer, Figure 1. Meditation and prayer appear to be important practices for the management of emotional and spiritual wellbeing [1-4]. Prayer may also influence the physiology of circadian rhythms in our body and it has evolved possibly as adaptation to the rotation of the earth around its axis [4]. Circadian rhythms account for increased activity of the sympathetic nerves of the autonomic nervous system with marked releases of cortisol, catecholamines (norepinephrine and adrenaline), testosterone and thyroid hormones. In turn, these neurotransmitters and hormones occur at a circadian stage when endogenous melatonin level is decreased to low values in the morning [4]. There is a need to prevent the circadian rhythm of adverse biological functions observed between 6.00 to 12.00 hours during the day, because circadian dysfunction can predispose to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The circadian dysfunction may worsen due to risk factors, although protective factors such as prayer, meditation and moderate physical activity may prevent circadian dysfunction [2-4]. The aim of the present study is to emphasize the beneficial role of prayer, mindfulness and meditation in the protection against circadian dysregulation in the body, thereby preventing CVDs, especially sudden cardiac death (SCD)

Domain-specific determinants of catalysis/substrate binding and the oligomerization status of barley UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase

Meng M, Fitzek E, Gajowniczek A, Wilczynska M, Kleczkowski LA. Domain-specific determinants of catalysis/substrate binding and the oligomerization status of barley UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics. 2009;1794(12):1734-1742

Original Pilot Study and Review: Effects of Time of Birth on Future Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes

Background. Dr. Halberg, the Lord of Time, showed that all biological functions, including gene functions, follow a circadian rhythm. An earlier study revealed that births in September to November may program increased longevity up to 100 years. Recent studies showed that risk factors can predispose trans-generational inheritance of diseases or health from parents to offspring. This study examined the role of time of birth on the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and other chronic diseases. Subjects and Methods. The pilot study included 100 adults aged 20 years and above to investigate any association of time of birth with future risk of CVDs and diabetes. After approval from the local Hospital Ethics Committee and obtaining written informed consent, subjects 20 years and older were recruited for the study. The sample size was based on known prevalence of hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke and diabetes in the populations concerned. It was estimated that at least 9% of the population, aged 25 years and above, had any one or more of the above diseases. Time of birth for each subject was obtained from the individual's horoscope, in which the exact time and date of birth were recorded at the time of birth. The presence of diseases was recorded based on available records of diagnosis and treatment. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to determine whether the time of birth predicts risk factors associated with various diseases. Results. The results of the study have shown that the incidence of hypertension, prehypertension and diabetes as well as prediabetes was lower among subjects who were born during the nighttime (18:00 to 6:00) compared to subjects who were born during the daytime (6:00 to 18:00). The second quarter of the day (06:00-12:00) is associated with increased sympathetic activity with its adverse effects, whereas the first quarter of the day (12:00-06:00) is associated with increased parasympathetic and low sympathetic activity with corresponding protective effects on the fetus, mother and newborn. An infant born in the second quarter may be exposed to high concentrations of catecholamines, cortisol, oxidative stress and inflammation, with low melatonin, which can damage the genome and epigenome as well as other tissues of the offspring, resulting in greater risk of diseases later in adult life. However, if the child is born during the first quarter of the day, this span is associated with increased concentrations of acetylcholine, nitric oxide and antioxidants in the tissues which have protective effects against diseases. Conclusions. Infants born in the first quarter of the 24-hour day may have lower risks of CVDs and other chronic diseases, whereas those born in the second quarter may have higher risks of diseases later in adult life

Nutritional modulators of sleep disorders

Background:Clinical evidence indicates that insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality appear to be common consequences of shift work. These rhythms appear to have independent influence on the function of the endocrine system, circadian brain function and gastrointestinal tract. Insufficient sleep and its poor quality due to shift work interfere with beta cells, leptin and ghrelin functioning, resulting in factors for the development and exacerbation of insulin resistance. Human studies found that insufficient sleep alters the levels of leptin and ghrelin, two hormones involved in the regulation of appetite and body fat. Leptin, released by fat cells, signals the brain to feel satiety. Ghrelin, produced in the stomach, signals hunger. Investigations reported that temporarily sleep-deprived individuals experienced hormonal changes along with greater cravings for sweet and fatty foods. A further reason for their cravings is related to the stress hormone cortisol, which can rise with sleep deprivation and contribute to hunger. In addition to altered hormone levels, people who stay awake longer have more opportunity to eat, and late-night eating often includes high-caloric foods. Weight gain is only one of the many side effects of insufficient sleep, but it can lead to long-term health problems, including diabetes. Although more sleep will not automatically result in weight loss, sufficient sleep and a regular sleep schedule are critical in controlling appetite and promoting a healthy eating pattern. Research on sleep and appetite reveals a consistent link between a lower amount of sleep and a higher body mass index (BMI), a ratio of weight-to-height that indicates overweight. Studies showed those who slept less than eight hours a night were more likely to be overweight. Methods:Internet search and discussion with colleagues. Results:Recent research indicates that disruption of sleep can influence food intake and food and nutrients can influence sleep. There is evidence that high protein and carbohydrates meals can influence moods, attention and concentration among normal adult subjects with respect to age, gender and meal time. Women reported greater sleepiness after two hours of carbohydrate meal as opposed to a protein meal. On the other hand men reported greater calmness after a carbohydrate as opposed to a protein meal. Age of subjects may also influence the response to meals. After a carbohydrate or protein rich breakfast, persons older than 40 years felt more tense and less calm with a protein-rich than carbohydraterich meal. In general older subjects preferred carbohydrate than protein meals. Carbohydrate meals are also reported to impair objective performance; carbohydrate rich foods either in breakfast or lunch have exhibited negative influence on neural response such as impaired objective performance and poor sustained attention. A meal consumed close to bedtime is associated with sleep disturbances. Further, solid foods as well as large meals may cause more sleepiness than liquid foods. Studies have also shown that the larger the meal, the sleepier the person thereafter. In the evening the sleepfacilitating effects of carbohydrates may be beneficial. However, manipulation in the energy content of meals for a single day may cause increase in markedly different levels of insulin without changes in plasma glucose. Conclusions:The findings indicate that food intake can influence sleep and disruption of sleep can cause increased consumption of fast ready-prepared foods which have adverse effects resulting in obesity, diabetes and CVDs

Sofia declaration for prevention of cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a scientific statement of the International College of Cardiology and International College of Nutrition

Background: There has been persistent emphasis from various health agencies including United Nations on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and other chronic diseases. This review focusses on the emergence of CVDs and other chronic diseases as well as on modern strategies for their prevention. Methods: A systematic and narrative review was conducted using such reference databases as MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science and EBSCO, with additional secondary sources and grey literature searching. Opinions of experts were also sought and discussions followed. Results: The prevalence of primary risk factors for most chronic diseases is rapidly increasing in low and middle income populations due to the on-going economic development and progress. There is a decrease in such risk factors in the developed countries as due to education and adoption of preventive strategies result in a reduction in CVD mortality. Hypertension (5-10%), type 2 diabetes (3- 5%) and CAD (3-4%) are very low in the adult rural populations of India, China, and in the African subcontinent which has less economic development. It seems that it is not poverty, but the lack of health education, possibly due to ineffective policies of national and local governments. In urban and immigrant populations of India and China, which are economically better off, NCDs are significantly higher than they are in some of the highincome populations. Health education and promotion of healthier lifestyle and behaviour appear to be important for prevention in such countries. Conclusion: These findings may require modification of the existing American and European guidelines, proposed for the prevention of CVDs and other chronic diseases, in highincome populations