According to a research, children who spend a lot of time watching television have higher blood pressure than those who watch less, even if the children are thin and get enough exercise.
Children who spent more than half an hour a day watching TV had blood pressure levels five to seven points higher than those children who watched less than half an hour of TV. Television-viewing, is related to blood pressure independent of body fat or obesity level.
Extensive television viewing may have harmful physiological effects because children often snack while watching TV, or perhaps because the pro grammes are distressing to them. Watching TV late at night may cut into sleep time or disrupt sleep, it is also possible that watching television reduces the body’s metabolic rate more than other sedentary activities.
During the course of one week, the children tested wore accelerometers, instruments that record the body’s acceleration in a vertical plane – sitting results in a score of zero, and walking and running produce progressively higher scores.
It is recommended that children watch no more than two hours of high quality television each day.
Ways to limit watching TV
- Limit yourself.
- Limit to good watching.
- Homework should be the priority.
- Avoid watching TV during meals.
- Limit the number of Televisions in home.
- Engage your children in more curricular activities.
Posts Tagged ‘health’
Watching lot of TV can cause high blood pressure in children
July 17th, 2010Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Importance, Benefits, Uses and Side Effects.
July 15th, 2010Fatty acids are organic compounds composed of carbon chains of varying lengths, with an acid group on one end and hydrogen bound to all the carbons of the chain. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are those that are necessary for health, but cannot be synthesized by the body.
The typical American diet tends to contain 14 – 25 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. The Mediterranean diet, on the other hand, has a healthier balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Omega 3 fatty acids actually reduce inflammation and Omegas 6s increase inflammation, it’s important to have a balanced diet to offset Omega 6 inflammatory affects.
Imbalance between the intakes of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids causes inflammation if the intake of Omega-6 is more than Omega-3.
This dietary imbalance may lead to the rise of diseases as :
- asthma
- coronary heart disease
- many forms of cancer
- autoimmunity and neurodegenerative diseases, all of which are believed to stem from inflammation in the body.
- obesity
- depression
- dyslexia
- hyperactivity and even a tendency toward violence.
Cut down on omega-6 levels by reducing consumption of processed and fast foods and polyunsaturated vegetable oils. At home, use extra virgin olive oil for cooking and in salad dressings.
Dietary Sources:
Sources of omega-6 fatty acids are numerous in modern diets.
- Olive Oil
- Wheatgerm
- Grapeseeds
- Pistachios
- Sesame Oil
- Hempseed Oil
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Chia Seed Oil
- Safflower Oil
- Sunflower Oil
- Cottonseed Oil
- Raw Nuts & Seeds
Uses and Benefits of Omega-6 Fatty acids
- Taking gamma linolenic acid (GLA) for 6 months or more may reduce symptoms of nerve pain in people with diabetic neuropathy.
- Some studies have shown that taking primrose oil helps reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Children with Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have lower levels of EFAs, both omega-6s and omega-3s. EFAs are important to normal brain and behavioral function.
- GLA may help reduce high blood pressure, either alone or in combination with omega-3 fatty acids.
- Evening primrose oil may reduce breast pain and tenderness in people with cyclic mastalgia.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Essential Fatty acids, benefits, uses.
July 14th, 2010Omega 3 is the name given to a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids or essential fatty acids. Omega 3 or the essential fatty acids are vital for the healthy functioning of all organs but they cannot be synthesized by the body.
The main components of Omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid ALA, eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA.
Dietary sources include :
- Fortified eggs and oils derived from microalgae.
- Dark green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed oil and Soya.
- Cold-water fatty fish such as salmon, halibut, sardines, mackerel, herring, anchovies and tuna and fish oils are the best overall source of Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Flaxseeds actually contain higher concentrations.
- Fruit juices and bread or other fortified foods (Kiwifruit, strawberries and Black Raspberry are very good sources in fruits).
Omega 3 fatty acids are the building blocks of our cell membranes and neurological system. They play a crucial role in many functions of the body.
Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- A brain booster : The majority of the brain is made up of “good” fats knows as fatty acids, and the majority of this “good” fat is Omega-3. It actually increases learning ability, problem-solving skills, focus, memory, and communication between cells.
- Helps to maintain a healthy mental ability.
- It lowers the arthritis symptoms.
- Helps to loose weight.
- Regular consumption of fish oils may help diabetics by lowering their triglycerides and diabetes markers called apoproteins.
- Lubrication of skin arteries and digestive tract.
- Promote an increase in the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol while also decreasing triglycerides or fatty material.
- Increases Immune System.
- Reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Reduces skin ailments.
- Supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids lower blood pressure significantly in individuals with hypertension.
- Essential fatty acids have been used to reduce inflammation and promote wound healing in burn victims.
- Reduces colon, prostate, breast cancer risk.
- EPA plus DHA can produce a 45% reduction in serum triglyceride level.
Negative effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- It could cause more bleeding if somebody is already bruised.
- Gas, bloating and loose bowels may be experienced.
- People allergic to sea food should not take fish supplements.
- Pregnant and nursing women shouldn’t eat more than a single serving of oily fish per week.
