Ergonomics and Workplace Health

Getting achy sitting in your office chair? Feel more tired than you should at the end of the day? Believe it or not, there are lots of things you can do to improve your overall health and wellness, even at the office. Try some of these simple tips and exercises to keep yourself feeling better during the workday and even after you go home. More..

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a mathematical formula that correlates highly with body fat. This height-weight calculation helps to determine whether you are at a healthy weight or have too much body fat.

Do you think you are underweight or obese or just perfect? Find out your BMI.

Take Care of Your Heart

Eating smart is taking care of your heart. These days the food that we take are filled with too much saturated fat and that is the main cause of high cholesterol levels which in turn is bad for the heart. It is recommended that we keep to less than 10 percent of saturated fat intake. Learn some tips as to how.

How to Use the Nutrition Facts Label

Most of us do not bother to read the nutrition facts label on packages. Probably, it's about time that we do so that we have enough facts to make informed decisions about buying food. Here's a guide on how to read the Nutrition Facts label.

Water Wise

Do you make this common mistake? Waiting until you¹re thirsty before taking a drink of water. Thirst isn¹t an early signal of water needs; it¹s a warning sign that you¹re dehydrated and need to drink up - and fast. By the time you feel thirsty you have already lost over 1 percent of your total body water. Some subtle signs of dehydration include dry lips, dark colored urine, muscle or joint soreness, headaches, crankiness, fatigue and constipation. More serious complications caused by extreme dehydration include seizures, permanent brain damage, or even death.

In addition to water, milk, juice and soup count toward your daily fluid intake because of their high water content. But don¹t include alcohol, coffee, tea, and soft drinks that contain caffeine as they may have a mild diuretic effect. Caffeine can hold back water from the tissues that need it. Since your body is nearly two-thirds water, it is important to stay ahead of dehydration. If you are out in hot, humid weather or exercising vigorously you need to replace 150% of the amount of water lost to keep hydrated. If you lose 1 pound of sweat during a workout (16 ounces) you need 24 ounces of fluid to rehydrate. The message is crystal clear: Drink plenty of water every day.

Nutrition Actions to Increase Water Intake
-Take water breaks instead of coffee breaks.
- Choose water instead of soft drinks or coffee.
- Drink water before meals and snacks.
- Drink water before, during and after any physical activity.
- Keep a bottle of water on your desk to sip from throughout the work day.
- Alternate sparkling or plain bottled water with alcoholic drinks at parties and social gatherings.

Source: Nutrition Resource

Smoking is bad for health, no?

Private clubs and pubs not serving food will be unaffected

Smoke plans 'unworkable' say MPs

Plans for a partial ban on smoking in public places in England are "unfair, unjust, inefficient and unworkable", an influential committee of MPs says.
The Commons health select committee says a total ban is the "only effective means" of protecting public health.

The Health Bill would allow smoking to continue in private clubs and pubs which do not serve food.

Read ...Smoke plans 'unworkable' say MPs...BBC News

The goodness of Cabbage

Cabbage is a good source of vitamins C, A, B1 and B2

Cabbage has a long history of use as both food and medicine.

Cabbage is a good source of vitamins C, A, B1 and B2. The vegetable was used by sailors to prevent scurvy which causes bleeding gums and skin discoloration, which is due to deficiency of vitamin C. Just one cup of fresh cabbage supplies about 35mg of vitamin C or half of the daily requirement of the vitamin.

The vegetable contains a reasonably good profile of amino acids especially glutamine and S-methylmethionine, which are the preferred fuels for cells that line the stomach and small intestine. These two components that makes cabbage juice effective in healing peptic ulcers.

Since ancient times, cabbage has been used as a remedy for the digestive system, skin problems, fever, and a fortifier for aching joints.

Eating raw cabbage before participating in wine drinking competitions was believed to prevent one from getting drunk.

Read article: Craving for cabbage...The Star