HEALTH TIPS [PART ONE]

v  Garlic a day: Garlic is the mother of all cures. Researchers have found that 5ml of garlic extract lower levels of a disease-causing chemical by up to 48 per cent.

v  Eat wholegrain foods: Make sure you have whole-grain foods at least four times a week and you will reduce the chance of having cancer by 40 per cent.

v  Take care of your skin: Always wear sun-screen lotion.  The best cure is to smile through and your skin will shine with an extra dash. It's no big secret!

v  Eat plenty of fish: Fish is the recommended diet for a longer healthier life. Studies have found that those who regularly ate fish were up to one-third less likely to get heart disease than those who ate it less than once a month.

v  Try Tea: Tea is always good. Being a heavy tea-drinker can never have negative effects. The protective effects of tea increase with the amount drunk, and people who are regular tea drinkers are the least likely to die of a heart attack.

v  Stop smoking: Do not smoke your health away. More you are to smoke, more likely you are to develop cancer or heart disease.

v  Walk for Health: There is nothing better than walking. Walking a mile every day, or taking reasonable exercise three times a week, promises to reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as strengthens bones and keeps them strong. You can buy a blood pressure instrument to monitor your B.P. before and after the walk.

v  Never sleep over a backache:  It is never advisable to sleep over a backache. Research shows that people who take to their beds with backache take the longest time to recover. Those who avoid bed-rest and continue normal activities as much as possible have less pain.

v  Water spells health: Water flushes out the toxins. A good amount of liquid intake helps the entire system and of course is best for curing skin ailments. The average man needs 2.9 litres or about 12 cups of water, a day and woman needs about 2.2 litres.

v  Stop bad breath: You can prevent that unfriendly odour. It is caused by oral bacteria. A tongue scraper may help, but dental care may be needed. Mouth rinses are effective, as are flossing and brushing teeth twice a day.

v  Slow down on the junk: Research shows that eating too many high-fat-foods contributes to high blood-cholesterol levels, which can cause hardening of the arteries, coronary heart disease and stroke.

v  Cut back on salt: Health Organization recommends no more than five grams a day. Too much salt can lead to stroke and heart problems.

v  Drink wine: Research suggests that the equivalent of a couple of glasses of wine a day may be good for health. It can also help you keep a good mental frame.

v  Spouse can matter: A man in poor health in his 50s is six times more likely to be affected if married to a woman who is also in poor health.