Eat Iron ..

Friends, why do we need Iron? Oh, sorry, we all use iron in our daily life, but I mean, why does human body require Iron?
About 60% of the iron in our body is present in the blood cells. It is this iron that helps blood cells to carry oxygen from lungs to various organs in the body, and obviously, when iron levels are down, oxygen consumption goes down, which in turn results in fatigue, sort of headaches etc. Serious deficiency of iron in the blood cells lead to anaemia. Now we know why we do not have sufficient energy when we need it – lack of iron. Human body requires its own share of iron to maintain proper energy levels.
So, iron is present in human body. But it’s not that sufficient quantity of iron is stored safely in a locker. We all lose iron (though a small amount) in our daily chores of life. Those who exercise vigorously, athletes and other sports persons are likely to lose iron through perspiration, while women of all categories lose a lot of blood cells during menstruation.
In the case of a pregnant woman, it is very important to have sufficient iron intake to ensure proper blood supply for the mother and the child. Though normally physicians prescribe iron tablets for pregnant women, it can be done away with, if iron rich food is included in the diet of the expecting mother.
Since iron is abundant in most of the vegetables, we have a wide choice for iron intake. Green leafy vegetables, cabbage, beans, green peas, cereals, bitter guard etc. are good sources of iron. Non vegetarians can have seafood like sardines, shrimp, etc and eggs to ensure iron intake. Milk, pomegranate, sesame seeds, black grape fruit and ghee are also good iron sources. Honey is good in the treatment of anaemia, thanks to its large iron content.

What's your New Year Resolution ?

To break it or otherwise, I suggest we all should have a New Year Resolution this year. That we'll keep ourselves physically fit for the whole year. ( For the next year, we'll renew the resolution on the next New Year eve!). I said "to break it or otherwise..", because, they say well begun is half done. Something is better than nothing you see.. However, I'm sure, once you start reaping the benefit of keeping yourself fit, you'll never think of breaking the resolution.

Well.. for all those who already follow a regular exercise schedule, let the resolution be to carry on the same with more enthusiasm, and for all those who never thought of exercise (and for those who only 'think' of exercise, like my hubby), let the resolution be that - I start regular exercise from TODAY. Your body will thank you tomorrow, because it helps you age well!

The first thing we should understand is, regular exercise schedule is a necessity for human body, as is regular food habits. How easily most of us excuse ourselves asking where's the time? All that is required is just half an hour's brisk walking, which is reasonalbly sufficient for a healthy body. (Of course, for tougher fitness freaks there are organ specific exercises).

John F Kennedy once said "Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity"