PaK authorities suspend cross-LoC trade along Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route

No reasons were given for suspending the trade which takes place between the traders of J&K & PoK

Authorities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Tuesday suspended cross-LoC trade along the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route.

"We have received a letter from authorities on the other side (of the LoC) saying the trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route will remain suspended for this week," a senior official said here.


He said no reasons were given for suspending the trade, which takes place from Tuesday to Friday every week between the traders of Jammu and Kashmir and PoK.

The decision to suspend the trade comes four days after Mohammad Yoususf Shah, a driver from Chakoti in PoK, was arrested following recovery of 66.5 kiligrams of heroin and brown sugar, worth over Rs 300 crore, from his vehicle.

Now you can win over obesity



Obesity is the root cause of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, infertility, sexual dysfunction and snoring, among others.Carrying that extra weight on your body can put immense strain on your joints as well as the heart.“Body fat isn't merely padding but a result of hormonal imbalance,“ says Dr Shashank Shah, an internationally acclaimed laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon. Obesity not only affects the health and looks of an individual but also impacts psychological wellbeing, leading to low confidence and self-esteem, social avoidance and excessive craving. These psychologi cal co-morbidities should be considered as dangerous as any other diseases.
Adds Dr Shah, “One might know of people who strive hard to gain weight but fail to do so in contrast to an obese individual.Obesity is nothing but a metabolic disorder, where patients try to control their eating habits and follow an exercise regime but with little or no success. Bariatric surgery or metabolic surgery is the answer to their helplessness and aids in converting already deposit ed fat into energy and prevents further conversion of food into fat.“

Dr Shah further suggests scientific treatment for patients with metabolic and hormonal imbalance through surgeries that can be stitch-less and minimally invasive. Those who eat a lot and have a higher craving for food generally have a hormonal imbalance. “They can control everything but their craving for food, which cannot be treated just by voluntary control of intake or counselling. Such people may be advised surgical treatments,“ he adds.

Bhagwan Singh, a middle-aged businessman, who weighed 158 kgs constantly felt short of breath and was taking 10 tablets for hypertension. Walking for just a few steps was a task for him.He says, “My life has totally transformed after the procedure. I feel younger and more energetic after losing 40 kgs in just three months.I wish I had met Dr Shah earlier so that I could have done this surgery then,“ says Singh.

Where: Laparo Obeso Centre, 2143, Vijayanagar Colony, Sadashiv Peth, Pune.

Call: 9860218971, 9869506545.

E-mail: drshashankshah@rediffmail.com http://www.obesityasia.com (*Procedures given are based on the expert's understanding of the said field)

Practice yoga for good memory



Doing yoga for a long time can change the structure of your brain and pro tect it against cognitive decline in old age, says new research. Researchers compared `yoginis' with another group of healthy women who had never practiced yoga, meditation or any other contemplative practices, but who were well-matched to the yoginis in terms of their age (all the participants were 60 or over) and levels of physical activity .
“We found greater thickness in the left prefrontal cortex in the yoginis, in brain regions associated with cognitive functions such as attention and memory,“ Rui Afonso, a researcher from a Brazilian hospital.

“In the same way as muscles, the brain develops through training. Like any contemplative practice, yoga has a cognitive component in which attention and concentration are important,“ explained one of the researchers, Elisa Kozasa.

Positive thinking may increase your lifespan




A lot of us blindly accept that we are not the healthiest among our peers, or that we are not currently in our best physical form. But new research warns this mindset could be dangerous. In fact, according to Stanford University, people who view themselves as less healthy than others are at risk of suffering a premature death -no matter how active they actually are. The study is the latest of many to show how our thoughts, feelings and beliefs have a direct impact on our health. Experts say this shows we should equally prioritise feeling positive and working out. Co-author of the study Dr Alia Crum said, “Our findings fall in line with a growing body of research suggesting that our mindsets -in this case, beliefs about how much exercise we are getting relative to others -can play a crucial role in our health.“ Dr Crum and her team analysed surveys from more than 60,000 American adults from three national data sets. The surveys documented participants levels of physical activity, health and personal background, among other meas ures. In one of the samples, participants wore an accelerometer to measure their activity over a week. They were all asked the same question, “Would you say that you are physically more active, less active, or about as active as other persons your age?“ The researchers then viewed death records from 2011, which was 21 years after the first survey was conducted. They found that people who saw themselves as less active than others were up to 71 per cent more likely to die in the follow-up period than people who thought they were more active than their peers. This was even true after they controlled for physical activity, age, body mass index, chronic illnesses and other factors.
Those who are made aware of their healthy activity levels -like the hotel room atten dants in Dr Crum's 2007 study can build on them and exercise more.

Those who deem them selves unfit are more like ly to remain inactive, fuelling feelings of fear, stress or depression that negatively affect their health. Being mindful of and feeling good about activities you do every day -like taking the stairs, walking or biking to work, or clean ing the house could be an easy first step for everyone to benefit their health, they say.

“It's time that we start taking the role of mindsets in health more seriously,' Dr Crum said. 'In the pursuit of health and longevity, it is important to adopt not only healthy behaviours, but also healthy thoughts,“ Concludes the research.

Choose the right accessory to make a lasting impression


You can wear a nice dress and stylish shoes but the look will be incomplete without the right accessories. Some of the trends that are doing rounds this season include candy-coloured jewellery and choker-shaped pieces. Here's how you can pair the right accessory with your outfits.
Chunky jewellery is meant to make a bold impact as it adds a pop of colour, texture and shine to your look.Statement earrings go well with a dress that has a high neckline. You can also wear chunky earrings or colourful bead necklaces if the dress has embroidery or any interesting pattern.

Candy coloured jewellery pieces like resin bracelets or colourful watches add a pop of colour and playfulness to plain tops and dresses.

There are limitless options when it comes to choosing the right piece of jewellery to complete your look. Bright coloured earrings, stacked bracelets of different materials and vintage jewellery are all great statement accessories. A sleep pendant necklace can make as much of a statement as a bejewelled choker. Enamel pins are also a form of jewellery and incredibly popular right now. To make your look pop, layer several pieces together. The key factor is to make your look polished. For a glamorous look, opt for chandelier earrings, statement necklaces, cocktail rings and stone encrusted accessories.

Bold and unique accessories should be worn with understated clothing and only one piece per outfit. The rule that less is more in most cases is true. Balance the size of your accessory pieces. If you are wearing a statement necklace, skip wearing earrings or keep it simple.

Pick fragrances according to your personality



Have a hyper personality? Go for woody notes. The introvert ones can pick out fragrances like Fijian water and cherry blossom, say experts.
The hyper: For the person who loves meet ing new people and a big social gathering makes you feel energised and charged up, then extroverts like you can choose a fra grance that is a mix of spicy and woody notes. Typically the perfumes with domi nant ingredients such as vanilla, grapefruit and sandalwood would add oomph and en hance the magnetism of your personality .

The introverts: If shy , reserved and deep thinkers are traits synonymous to your personality, then choose a scent that is subtle and serene. Aquatic, Fijian water and cherry blossoms work great for your personality .

Elegant and classy: If you like to stand out in the crowd and make a statement, then opt for fragrances that are dominant in oriental ingredients such as amber, musk and vanilla.

Free spirited and easy going: The ones who live in the present and are happy-go-lucky kinds, it is their positive and cheerful per sonality that draws people towards them.

Pure fruity and citrus fragrances work great for this category . Think of ingredients like passion fruit, peaches, grapefruits and a tinge of lemon while deciding what perfume to buy .

Passionate romantics: If you are a jolly per son and you are enchanted by the monsoon season, layer yourself with the mesmeris ing aroma of jasmine and rose. White musk can be your perfect accessory to woo your partner.

Top 10 essential minerals that you need to include in your diet ASAP


D o we really know what kinds of minerals are required for prop er functioning of our body?
While we're content with knowledge of sodium, calcium and iron, there are many more that are equally necessary .Listed below are 10 essential minerals you need to include in your diet.
1 CALCIUM

Calcium is essential for strength ening teeth and bones, and a deficiency can pose a risk of osteoporosis. Milk, cheese, yogurt, spinach, figs, soybeans, chickpeas and corn flakes are calcium rich foods.

2 IRON

Iron is an important part of haemoglobin. Deficiency of iron can cause anaemia. Food like chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, raisins, lentils and sesame seeds are high in iron among others.

3 ZINC

Zinc plays a crucial role in fighting cold, infection, and boosts our immunity. Zinc is essential for fertility too and zinc deficiency can pose great risk to sperm quality. A man should consume more than 10 mg (approx.) zinc in their diet. Cashews, chickpeas, yogurt, oatmeal, chicken breast, green peas, almonds and kidney beans are all good sources of zinc.

4 MAGNESIUM

Magnesium plays a key role in glucose metabolism and heart health. A deficiency can pose risks like hypertension and can affect our body's insulin sensitivity. Flaxseeds, cashews, almonds, fish like tuna and mackerel, bananas, avocado, dark chocolate and whole grains are it's good sources.

5 SODIUM

Sodium is another key mineral that ensures proper blood pressure level and balances fluids in our body. However, excess intake of sodi um is harmful. Salt is a primary source of sodium. Others are pickles, roasted, salted nuts, buttermilk, eggplant, watermelon and pineapples.

6 POTASSIUM

Potassium, which is also known to be an electrolyte, helps in building proteins, breaks down carbohydrates and manages proper functioning of our heart.Potatoes (with skin), tomatoes, broccoli, red meat, chicken, bananas, kidney beans, apricots, nuts and oranges are good sources of potassium.

7 COPPER

Copper helps in collagen formation that plays a key role in tissue's health. It is essential for regulated heart rhythm.Mushrooms, cashews, avocados, dried prunes, sesame seeds, eggs, litchi and lemons have copper.

8 IODINE

Iodine deficiency can pose prob lems like fatigue, depression, high cholesterol levels and swelling of thyroid glands. Shrimp, dried prunes, boiled eggs, strawberries, green beans and bananas can fulfil your iodine requirement.

9 COBALT

Cobalt is an essential element of vitamin B12 and is also called cobalamin. Though in smaller amounts, cobalt is essential for proper functioning of our body. Eggs, milk, meat, fish, nuts, broccoli, spinach, oats, etc are excellent sources of cobalt.

10 PHOSPHORUS

Phosphorus helps in good digestion, hormonal balance and is the second best mineral after calcium in maintaining bone's health. Beans, lentils, tofu, broccoli, corn, peanut butter, Chia seeds, watermelon seeds, tuna and macker el fish, etc are excellent sources of phosphorus.