But most importantly, there are numerous legitimate medical and surgical indications for birth control pills and hormones. Oral contraceptives are used in dysfunctional uterine bleeding, in polycystic ovarian disease, unremitting dysmenorrhea or painful periods, in female hirsutism, in women who have had premature menopause due to autoimmune ovarian failure, in women who have had ovarian failure after their pituitary or hypothalamic tumors have been radiated or removed, in women who have lost both their ovaries to infections, tumors or cysts, in women with endometriosis, in Turner’s Syndrome (to prevent osteoporosis and to induce breast development and menstrual cycles).

Then there are those women who have lost ovarian function after chemotherapy and radiation for various cancers, mentally challenged girls in whom parents want to prevent disastrous and inadvertent pregnancies, female adrenogenital syndromes where deficiencies in various adrenal enzymes cause hirsutism and irregular periods. Also, there are women with bulimia and anorexia nervosa where the risk of osteoporosis and loss of periods is high due to poor nourishment, young girls withCrohn’s Disease and other conditions that can also cause them to become malnourished and suffer ovarian malfunction.

How about during perimenopause in women who have symptoms of hormone deprivation, or premature osteoporosis and bone fragility, or to help out of control diabetics in whom an unplanned pregnancy can result in fetal wastage and maternal complications? And there are so many other conditions where an unplanned pregnancy can endanger the life of the mother and the child.

Rush Limbaugh is an embarrassment to conservatives, and he has repeatedly misused his bully pulpit. but the conservatives have not repudiated him categorically and keep on providing him with platforms where he can spew his bombast, bile and lame excuses for his flammable declarations. Hopefully, the ditto-heads will put their thinking caps on and divest him of the power they confer on him.

Usha Nellore, Bel Air

Nutritionist Wendy Oddy likens growing babies to nurturing a small plant – if they’re not given the right nourishment right from the start they never really recover.

Dr Oddy, an associate professor and researcher at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, says there are compelling reasons for mums-to-be to drop the junk food and soft drinks and focus on good, healthy eating during pregnancy.

Apart from preventing optimal brain development in the baby, inadequate nutrient intake can retard the growth of the placenta, and may increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth, with low birth weight. Babies with low birth weight are more vulnerable at birth and continue to be so throughout life.

“A well-nourished mother will produce a good-sized, healthy baby and if the baby’s a good size, it will be more active, it will be more mentally alert, will have less colic, diarrhoea, anaemia and infections,” Dr Oddy says.

Mums also need to beware of “eating for two”. they need increase their calorie intake by only 300-500 calories a day – the equivalent of a cheese and tomato sandwich on wholemeal or a little tub of yoghurt – and should avoid empty foods such as takeaways, lollies, chocolates and soft drinks. Excessive weight gain or existing obesity can put them at risk of high blood pressure and gestational diabetes and put the baby at risk of obesity and diabetes in later life.

“Go for nutrient-dense foods rather than just kilojoules – solid, heavy wholemeal breads and cereals, lots of vegetables and fresh fruit, legumes, fish, chicken and low-fat dairy,” Dr Oddy says.

Pregnant women also need to up their folate intake before and early in pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects, and maintain a good intake of iron, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids, also available in breast milk, are vital for brain development and the lack of them has been associated with depression.

“Looking after your health during pregnancy by having a nutritious diet is the most important thing, because if the mother isn’t well or not having a healthy diet that will affect the baby,” Dr Oddy says. “She might have more anaemia, pre-eclampsia, she might have more fatigue and mood swings, and morning sickness and cramps and other complaints. but if the nutrition is at optimum that will help keep away those negative symptoms of pregnancy.”

The term coronary heart disease covers a group of clinical syndromes arising particularly from

failure of the coronary arteries to supply sufficient blood to the heart. they include angina

peactoris, coronary thrombosis or heart attack and sudden death without infarction.

There has been a marked increase in the incidence of heart disease in recent years. Heart

attacks have become the number one killer in Western countries. they rank third in India, after

tuberculosis and infections. the disease affects people of all ages and both sexes, although it is

more common in men than in women, especially among those aged 40-60 years.

The heart, the most vital organ in the body, is a muscle about the size of a clenched fist. It starts

working even before birth inside the womb. Weighing less than 350 grms, it pumps about 4,300

gallons of blood per day through the body and supplies oxygen and nourishment to all the

organs. It beats 1,00,000 times a day, continuously pumping the blood through more than

60,000 miles of tiny blood vessels. the heart, in turn, needs blood for its nourishment which is

supplied by coronary arteries Coronary arteries are so called because they are arranged rather

like a crown or carona. in case of strain, etc., the heart needs more blood and the arteries, under

normal conditions, adjust themselves to the increased flow.

In the event of narrowing or hardening of the arteries on account of their getting plugged with

fatty substances, the flow of blood is restricted. the heart then does not get sufficient oxygen.

This condition is known as ischaemia of the heart or angina pectoris. in this condition , exercise

or excitement provokes severe chest pain and so it limits the patient’s physical activity. It serves

as a warning to slow down and prompt preventive measures will prevent a heart attack.

If the narrowed arteries get blocked due to a clot or thrombus inside them, causing death of that

portion of the heart which depends upon the choked arteries, it is called a heart attack or

coronary thrombosis. It may lead to death or heal, leaving a scar. Patients with healed lesions

may be severely disabled or may be able to resume normal life with restrictions in their physical

A common symptom of heart disease is shortness of breath which is caused by the blood being

deprived of the proper amount of oxygen. Another common symptom is chest pain or pain down

either arm. Other symptoms are palpitation, fainting, emotional instability, cold hands and feet,

frequent perspiration and fatigue. All these symptoms may be caused by many other disorders.

Appropriate tests and studies are, therefore, essential to establish the true nature of these

The basic causes of heart diseases are wrong dietary habits, faulty style of living and various

stresses. the famous Framingham Heart Study of the National Heart and Lung Institute

identified seven major risk factors in coronary heart disease. These are : (i) elevated blood levels

of cholesterol, triglycerides and other fatty substances ( ii) elevated blood pressure (iii) elevated

blood uric acid levels (mainly caused by high protein diet), (iv) certain metabolic disorders,

notably diabetes, (v) obesity, (vi) smoking, and (vii) lack of physical exercise. Each or a

combination of these risk factors can contribute to heart disease. most of them are of dietary

origin. These risk factors can be controlled by changing one’s life style and readjusting the diet.

Constant worry and tension stimulates the adrenal glands to produce more adrenaline and

cartisons. This also contributes to constricted arteries, high blood pressure and increased work

for the heart.

The fundamental conditioning factor in all heart diseases is the diet. a corrective diet designed to

alter body chemistry and improve the quality of general nutritional intake can, in many cases,

reverse the degenerative changes which have occurred in the heart and blood vessels.

The diet should be lacto-vegetarian, low in sodium and calories. It should consist of high quality,

natural organic foods, with emphasis on whole grains, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables. Foods

which should be eliminated are all white flour products, sweets, chocolates, canned foods in

syrup, soft drinks, squashes, all hard fats of animal origin such as butter, cream and fatty meats.

Salt and sugar should be reduced substantially. the patient should also avoid tea, coffee,

alcohol and tobacco.

The essential fatty acids which reduce serum cholesterol levels and minimise the risk of

arteriosclerosis can be obtained from sunflower seed oil, corn oil or safflower oil. several studies

have indicated that garlic can reduce the cholesterol level in persons whose body normally

cannot regulate the cholesterol fractions. Other important cholesterol lowering foods are alfalfa

and yogurt. Lecithin helps prevent fatty deposits in arteries. best food sources are unrefined,

raw, crude vegetable oils, seeds and grains.

Fruits and vegetables in general are highly beneficial in the treatment of heart disease. Seasonal

fruits are quite effective heart tonics. Apples especially contain heart stimulating properties and

the patients suffering from the weakness of heart should make liberal use of apples and apple

jams. Fresh grapes, pineapples, oranges,custard apples, pomegranaes and coconut water also

tone up the heart. Grapes are effective in heart pain and palpitation of the heart and the disease

can be rapidly controlled if the patient adopts an exclusive grapes diet for few days. Grape juice,

especially will be valuable when one is actually suffering from a heart attack.

Indian gooseberry or amla is considered an effective home remedy for heart disease. It tones up

the functions of all the organs of the body and builds up health by destroying the heterogeneous

elements and renewing lost energy.

Another excellent home remedy for heart disease is onions. they are useful in normalising the

percentage of blood cholesterol by oxidising excess cholesterol. One teaspoon of raw onion

juice first thing in the morning will be highly beneficial in such cases.

Honey has marvellous properties to prevent all sorts of heart disease. It tones up the heart and

improves the circulation. It is also effective in cardiac pain and palpitation of the heart. One

tablespoonful daily after food is sufficient to prevent all sorts of heart troubles.

Patients with heart disease should increase their intake of foods rich in vitamin E, as this vitamin

promotes the functioning of the heart by improving oxygeneration of the cells. It also improves

the circulation and muscle strength. many whole meal products and green vegetables,

particularly outer leaves of cabbage are good sources of vitamin E. the vitamin B group is

important for heart and circulatory disorders. the best sources of vitamin B are whole grains.

Vitamin C is also essential as it protects against spontaneous breaches in capillary walls which

can lead to heart attacks. It also guards against high blood cholesterol. the stress of anger, fear,

disappointment and similar emotions can raise blood fat and cholesterol levels immediately but

this reaction to stress can do little harm if the diet is adequate in vitamin C and pantothenic acid.

The richest sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits.

The following is the suggested diet for persons suffering from hypertension or some disorder of

On rising : Warm water with lemon juice and honey or fresh fruit juice of apple,grapes, orange,

Breakfast : Fresh fruit such as apples, grapes, pears, peaches, pineapple, orange, melons, one

or two slices whole meal toast, yogurt, skimmed milk or soya milk.

Mid-morning : Fresh fruitjuice or coconut water.

Lunch : Combination salad of vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, endive, carrots, cucumber,

beetroot, tomato, onion and garlic. One or two slices of whole meal bread or chappatis, curd,

fresh grapes and other fruits in season.

Mid-afternoon : One or two wholemeal biscuits and fruit juice.

Dinner : Fresh fruit or vegetable juice or soup, two lightly cooked vegetables, one or two whole

The patient should also pay attention to other laws of nature for health building such as taking

moderate exercise, getting proper rest and sleep, adopting the right mental attitude and getting

fresh air and drinking pure water.

The use of an ice bag on the spinal area between the second and tenth thoracic vertebrae for 30

minutes three times a week, a hot compress applied to the left side of the neck for 30 minutes

every alternate day and massage of the abdomen and upper back muscles are water treatments

which are beneficial in cases of heart disease.

Hot foot and hand baths are excellent for relieving the pain of angina pectoris. To this may be

added hot packs on the chest over the heart for one minute and a cold pack applied alternately

Asanas such as shavasana, vajrasana, and gomukhasna, yogic kriyas like jalneti and

pranayamas such as shitali, sitkari and bhramari are also helpful in providing relief to heart

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