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Keeping those dreaded lines away can be quite simple. Wrinkles are one of the most unwelcome signs of ageing. Delicate creases and sagging is caused over time as the skin loses its elasticity, suppleness and smoothness. But though unavoidable completely, they can be prevented from making an early appearance, say health experts. “A lot of people in their 40s come to us seeking treatment for wrinkles. But the fact is that by then it’s already too late and the treatment can only reduce this sign of ageing by 20 to 30 per cent, but not completely cure them. The key lies is taking care of your skin right from your early 20s,” says dermatologist Dr Nina Madnani. CAUSES OF AGEING Ageing of skin is dependant on two things — genes and the external environmental factors. Explains Dr Madnani. “While genes are not under our control, we can keep the external factors under check,” she says. EXTERNAL FACTORS Ultraviolet light: Over-exposure to the sun causes premature ageing in skin. UV rad...

Lemon juice has more benefits that you’d ever imagine. Lemons have five per cent of citric acid, which gives it its unique taste. Rich in vitamin C, it also has vitamin B, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, proteins and carbohydrates. Here are some benefits. Suffer from indigestion? Mix a few drops of lemon juice with warm water and sip on it. This is useful for treating nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, bloating and burping.   Since lemon is a natural antiseptic, it is great to cure skin problems. It clears your skin and also acts as an anti-ageing agent by eliminating wrinkles and blackheads.   Have a toothache? Apply fresh lemon juice where it hurts. If you have bleeding gums, applying lemon juice can curb the bleeding and stop bad breath.   A sore throat can be cured by gargling with lemon juice and water regularly.   Nimbu paani is high in potassium, which controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea and reduces stress. It also cures respirato...

No matter how busy you are, it’s easy to take care of your eyes. Experts tell you how? Ever wondered about the several hours you spend with your eyes constantly riveted on your computer screens, laptops, cell-phones, television... all an inescapable part of our hectic daily lives, and the toll it takes on your eyes? What’s worse is that trapped in this fast pace, we have ready excuses of not finding the time to take care of them. But there are some easy everyday tips that you can follow for healthy eyes. Here’s what to do... REGULAR CHECK-UPS Visit your optician at least once in six months. Besides regular care, it will be easy to diagnose eye diseases at an early stage. WEAR UV PROTECTION Protect your eyes by investing in a pair of good sunglasses that shield them from the harmful rays of the sun. This will also prevent wrinkles and ageing of the delicate skin area around it. STOP SMOKING Smoking, even passively, plays a vital role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) an...

In the health battle between juices and fizzy drinks, juices win hands down. Experts tells you why... When you return home after a tiring day at work and reach out for a drink in your refrigerator, chances are that you may spend a minute trying to decide between those attractive fizzy drinks lined up and the fruit juices. If you have chosen the juice, well, there’s reason to rejoice. But, if you have chosen the latter, here’s evidence of why you have made the wrong decision. According to a recent study, cutting down on soft drinks reduces the risk of a stroke by eight per cent and coronary heart disease by almost five per cent. “Our findings suggest that reducing sugar sweetened beverages and sugar consumption may be an important dietary strategy to lower blood pressure and further reduce other blood pressure related diseases,” reveals Liwei Chen, the lead author of the study. On the other hand, fruit juices are a smart addition to any well-balanced diet, providing vitamins and min...

Experts lists some of the common foods that can keep you in pink of health We all want to be healthy, don’t we? But do we know what to eat in order to achieve this? Chennai Times comes up with ten everyday health foods which are guaranteed to get you fighting fit! TOMATO The Power: Lycopene, one of the strongest carotenoids, acts as an antioxidant. Research shows that tomatoes may cut the risk of bladder, stomach and colon cancers in half, if eaten daily. A tomato has 26 calories, 0 fat and 1 gram of fibre. Drizzle fresh slices with olive oil, because lycopene is best absorbed when eaten with a little fat. RAISINS The Power: These little gems are a great source of iron, which helps the blood transport oxygen and which many women are short on. Half a cup of raisins has 218 calories,0 fat and 3 grams of fibre. Sprinkle raisins on your morning oatmeal or bran cereal — women, consider this especially during your period. LEMONS/LIMES The Power: They contain limonene, furocoumarins...

Here are a few foods that help delay the signs of ageing. Anti-ageing foods are those essential foods that supply basic nutrients needed for a healthy body. In fact, when you include food in your diet that are high in antioxidants, you can delay the effects of ageing. Antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables like prunes, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, spinach and raspberries and are known to be great for health. Here’s what else you can include in your diet... GREEN, LEAFY VEGETABLES Vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnip, Brussels sprouts and radishes are rich in vitamin C. They are believed to contain anti-cancer substances too. They’re also known to help prevent cataracts and eye problems. TOMATOES This vegetable is extremely rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that protects one against coronary heart disease and cancer of the lung, stomach, mouth, colon, rectum and prostate gland. GARLIC Garlic is a powerful antioxidant that is known to...

To improve eyesight, have amla juice mixed with honey. Amla juice also helps people who have cataract. Amla or gooseberry, as it’s also known, is rich in chromium, which makes it very beneficial for diabetics. It is known to stimulate the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin. Amla decreases blood sugar. Want to have a healthy heart? Have plenty of gooseberries. They’re known to strengthen heart muscles, which in turn pump more blood in your body and make you healthy. Since amla is rich in antibacterial qualities, it helps the body fight infection. It builds up immunity, which makes people more resistant to diseases. Studies say that having amla powder mixed with honey and butter before a meal will improve appetite. Suffering from an upset stomach? Opt for the amla. With its powerful laxative qualities, amla is great for curing diarrhea and dysentery. It is a commonly used ingredient in several hair tonics because it is known to curb hair loss, stimulate growth and s...