News by nature – Page 14

23May

By CatherineNo Comments

Genetically Modified crops

With the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, an Environment Ministry body that evaluates genetically modified crops, approving transgenic mustard for environmental release, a key hurdle remains before farmers can cultivate it: Environment Minister Anil Dave’s approval, under a procedure set down by the UPA government. What is a GM crop? A GM or transgenic crop is a plant that has a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology. Concerns associated The technology of genetic engineering is an evolving one and there is much, especially on its impact on human health and environment that is yet to be understood properly. The scientific community itself seems uncertain about this. In fact, globally, there is a clear view that GM crops mus...

China Pushes Public to Accept GMO as Syngenta Takeover Nears

22May

By CatherineNo Comments

Genetically Modified Foods

China Pushes Public to Accept GMO as Syngenta Takeover Nears

Beijing’s prestigious Tsinghua University and two other Chinese colleges will carry out the survey, said Jin Jianbin, a professor at Tsinghua’s School of Journalism and Communication. The poll, sponsored by the government, will be carried out in tandem with a campaign on social media to broadcast basic knowledge on GMO technology, which is widely misunderstood in the country, Jin said. China is the world’s fourth-largest grower of GMO cotton and the top importer of soybeans, most of which are genetically modified and used for cooking oil and animal feed for pigs and chickens. But public concern over food safety issues and skepticism about the effects of consuming GMO foods have made the government reluctant to introduce the technology for staple crops. A 2012 trial of so-called Golde...

Home Remedies for Common Aging Women’s Problems

21May

By CatherineNo Comments

Remedies

Home Remedies for Common Aging Women’s Problems

Menopause… it’s a word many women dread and don’t really like to use. But in reality, it’s not the transition itself that is bothersome and uncomfortable. Postmenopausal women would confess that they feel relief not having their lives dictated by their menstrual cycle. First and foremost, do not panic. These symptoms are common, but the frequency and severity of which they appear to vary depending on health, age, and lifestyle. There are many natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments available to make your transition into menopause smoother and more enjoyable. Memory foam pillow: As levels of the hormone estrogen decline so does your body’s ability to control temperature. Hence the night sweats and the resulting sleep disturbances. A good pillow with a layer of flexible, air permeab...

Are you on a diet? You can still enjoy Sandwich week!

15May

By CatherineNo Comments

Diet

Are you on a diet? You can still enjoy Sandwich week!

National Sandwich week runs from 14th to 20th May 2017 and according to the organizers, British consumers manage to munch their way through over 11.5 billion sandwiches each year. If you laid each one end to end, they would go around the world about 44 times. But with around 200 calories in 2 slices of white bread, and ready-made sandwiches often high in salt, they might be a treat for our taste buds, but not so great for our waistlines. Here are 5 sandwich swaps for some of the most popular diets: Vegan, Dopamine, Paleo, Gluten-free and Raw. Vegan Sandwich A Vegan diet means no animal products at all, including butter, eggs, and dairy. To supplement your Vitamin B12 intake, Marmite is a great choice, top with bananas, which are full of Vitamin B6 that helps with brain developmen...

Low Back Pain Killing You? Try 8 Remedies (Before Taking Pills)

12May

By CatherineNo Comments

Remedies

Low Back Pain Killing You? Try 8 Remedies (Before Taking Pills)

You may have heard that doctors are getting away from prescribing opioids for chronic low back pain. New guidelines from the American College of Physicians (ACP) advise doctors to start with options that don’t involve any type of medication. This breaks from the World Health Organization tiered medication scale favored in the past. The scale previously focused on drugs that included opioids. What to try first for your back pain? 1. Physical therapy “Cleveland Clinic very much advocates active physical therapy,” says Dr. Mayer. An exercise prescription can help to ease back stiffness and strengthen muscles that support the spine. 2. Acupuncture This ancient Chinese technique involves inserting hair-thin needles into key points to ease the pain. “Acupuncture is better at reli...

The Diet we’re all Googling but it’s not a Fad

8May

By CatherineNo Comments

Diet

The Diet we’re all Googling but it’s not a Fad

Research shows that interest in veganism spiked in December 2016 and January 2017, with searches increasing by 28% over this period. Gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free diets are about as trendy as Gucci loafers and 90s fashion right now (that's to say, very) but the one diet we're all Googling, according to Hitwise's Clean Living report, is the vegan diet, which might not be a surprise if you too swear by soy-based snacks. Veganism also extends beyond a person's day on a plate - to the clothes they wear, for example - and subscribing to certain philosophies "that reject the commodity status of animals," in every industry… not just food or fashion. Interestingly, searches for "paleo" have dropped 22% since 2014, which "could be due to the negative press surrounding paleo guru, ...

Tackling hidden hunger: Biofortified Genetically Engineered Foods Increase Iron, Zinc and Vitamin A

5May

By CatherineNo Comments

Genetically Modified Foods

Tackling hidden hunger: Biofortified Genetically Engineered Foods Increase Iron, Zinc and Vitamin A

Today, most of us do get enough to eat, in terms of calories, but we still may not be getting our essential micronutrients, such as iron and zinc. In other words, our focus has shifted from quantity to quality. This ‘hidden hunger’, a term used to describe dietary micronutrient deficiencies, must be taken care of. The answer, find researchers, is biofortification. Golden rice is a variety of rice produced through genetic engineering to biosynthesise beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, in the edible parts of rice. The most common micronutrient deficiencies are iron and zinc, with 2 billion people affected worldwide with anaemia (30% of the world’s population), says the World Health Organization. Vitamin A deficiency is not far behind. This triad, vital to our health, especially f...

5 Ancient Remedies That Strengthen Your Whole Body

28Apr

By CatherineNo Comments

Remedies

5 Ancient Remedies That Strengthen Your Whole Body

Ancient civilizations did not have to worry about GMOs, pesticides and modern day illnesses. They did, however, suffer from the same immune-suppressing ailments that modern-day man suffers today. But without the use of pharmaceutical drugs at their disposal, they relied on the wisdom of generations past to support their health and wellbeing. Much of that healing wisdom has been buried under modern day medicine. Still, there are some powerful ancient remedies that have stood the test of time, which continue to heal today. When it came to immune-boosting remedies, ancient people looked to their gardens for healing foods and herbs. You can do the same. Here are five ancient remedies used to strengthen the bodies. Garlic Tea. Garlic may be a flavorful seasoning, but it dates back thousan...

Stressed? Anxious? Try these home remedies

19Apr

By CatherineNo Comments

Remedies

Stressed? Anxious? Try these home remedies

Stress is something that just about everyone knows well and experiences often. It’s that feeling of pressure, typically a result of too much to do and too little time to do it in. Anxiety is a tense feeling that often accompanies stress. It’s typically directed toward the future — toward something that may happen soon. Some anxiety can motivate you or help you respond to danger. However, if you have ongoing anxiety that interferes with daily activities and makes it hard to enjoy life, then anxiety can be a problem. Lifestyle, Home Remedies Keep physically active. Develop a routine so you’re physically active most days of the week. Exercise is a powerful stress reducer. It may improve your mood and help you stay healthy. Start out slowly and gradually increase the amount and inte...

The Future of Food: To GMO or Not To GMO?

16Apr

By CatherineNo Comments

Genetically Modified Foods

The Future of Food: To GMO or Not To GMO?

An organic diet has never been more in style than it is right now, with millions of consumers willing to shell out extra dollars for organic foods. Most of us have a vague idea that organic is better because it’s more natural and free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and pesticides. But what does “natural” even mean? The line is harder to draw than we may think. How different is food from GM crops as compared to food from non-GM crops? Humans have been “genetically modifying” plants and animals for thousands of years. Five hundred years ago, say a farmer noticed some corn was a little sweeter. To replicate that flavor, the farmer might select those seeds for the next crop. That new trait came about by random genetic mutation, and establishing a noticeably sweeter flavor us...