Wednesday 7 May 2014

Health benefits of Sardines

Health benefits of eating sardines - The amazing fish

Sardines are named after Sardinia, the Italian island where large schools of these fish were once found. While sardines are delightful enjoyed fresh, they are most commonly found canned, since they are so perishable. With growing concern over the health of the seas, people are turning to sardines since they are at the bottom of the aquatic food chain, feeding solely on plankton, and therefore do not concentrate heavy metals, such as mercury, and contaminants as do some other fish.

While there are six different types of species of sardines belong to the Clupeidae family, more than 20 varieties of fish are sold as sardines throughout the world. What these fish share in common is that they are small, saltwater, oily-rich, silvery fish that are soft-boned. Sardines actually refer to a small herring, and adult sardines are known as pilchards, a name that is commonly used in other parts of the world. Sardines are abundant in the seas of the Atlantic, Pacific

and Mediterranean with Spain, Portugal, France, and Norway being the leadSardines Health Benefits
Benefits vary from a healthy heart to a fat burning stimulant. Sardines health facts clearly state that including sardines in your diet can positively affect health due to its high nutritional value.

Nutrition
Sardines are loaded with nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that are vital for overall well-being. Besides being an important protein source, sardines contain a high amount of other nutritional elements given below:

Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids: These nutrients play a crucial role in protecting the heart from various diseases. These unsaturated fatty acids help to increase good cholesterol, lower high blood pressure, as well as prevent formation of blood clots, which has been often linked to heart attacks. Omega 3 essential fatty acids help to improve skin texture and prevents wrinkle formation, thereby keeping the beauty of the skin intact for years to come.

If you are looking for excellent sources of omega 3 essential fatty acids, then what better than sardines. This can be gauged from the fact that a serving of sardines delivers anywhere between 1 and 1.7 grams of omega 3 acids. Animal studies suggest that omega 3 acids can play a key role to stop colon cancer from progressing further. Also, women having foods high in omega 3 essential fatty acids substantially reduce their risk of getting breast cancer. Some studies also indicate that omega 3 acids obtained from fish like sardines may be useful to prevent prostate cancer. On the whole, eating sardines may work to keep cancer growth at bay.

Omega 3 acids display anti-inflammatory properties, so eating sardines may protect you from inflammatory conditions like arthritis (inflammation of the joints). Thus, following a sardines diet would contribute to keep the joints healthy.

Omega 3 essential fatty acids are present in substantial amounts in the brain. Adequate concentration of omega 3 acids is essential to maintain memory function, boost concentration and overall performance. As sardines are high in omega 3 acids, their consumption can certainly assist to optimize brain function.

Vitamins and Minerals in Sardines

In addition to various health benefits, sardines are also packed with:

Vitamin B12: One of the b vitamins and also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is important in the normal functioning of the brain, nervous system and blood formation. It also plays a role in the metabolism of cells and affects DNA synthesis and regulation.

Selenium: Known as an effective antioxidant, selenium can help in the prevention of cancer by repairing free radicals in the body. It also helps maintain normal thyroid functions and the immune system.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a vital nutrient that helps absorption of calcium a mineral crucial in the formation, growth, and strengthening of the bones. It also protects the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties linked to the prevention of cancer.

Phosphorus: Phosphorus not only helps synthesize protein for the maintenance of cells and tissues, it also plays a role in the formation of bones and teeth.

Calcium: Often associated with milk, calcium is known to strengthen and build strong bones and teeth.

Vitamin B3: Also known as niacin, vitamin B3 is vital in the skin, digestive and nervous system. Research has shown it may help prevent Alzheimer's disease, help convert food to energy and promote skin repair.

Vitamin B2: One of the b vitamins and also known as riboflavin, vitamin B2 helps metabolize fats, carbohydrates and proteins, and can affect DNA synthesis, regulation and energy production.

Amino Acids: Our body needs essential amino acids to carry its day-to-day functions normally. Sardines are rich in amino acids that help support joint cartilage, create collagen, regulate insulin and help the digestive tract. Some of such amino acids include tryptophan, lysine, tyrosine and methionine.

Interesting Health Facts about Sardines
·        Sardines are relatively low on the food chain, so they tend to have lower levels of contaminants in relation to other fish.
·        A can of sardines may have as much calcium as two glasses of milk.
·        Sardines are often canned because they are highly perishable.
·        Along with the popular salmon, sardines are also an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids.

Weight Control
An added advantage of sardines is that they are low in calories, which means, they can be always included in a weight control diet. Intake of sardines can help to increase consumption of omega 3 fatty acids which boosts metabolic rate, necessary for weight loss. Carb-conscious dieters wanting to reduce weight, will definitely benefit from sardines diet.

Healthy fats can benefit the body in several ways, including:
·     Cancer prevention: Studies have suggested that intake of the omega 3 fats may slow tumor growth and improve the quality of life in cancer patients. Doctors may also suggest a diet high in the omega 3 fats as part of a preventative measure against cancer.

·     Strengthening the cardiovascular system: Fatty fish high in healthy fats have been linked to decreased risk of cardiovascular problems. Since it decreases blood cholesterol level, it also prevents heart attacksstrokes and high blood pressure.

·     Protecting the brain and nervous system: Omega 3 fatty acid is vital in supporting the brain and neurological systems, as much of it is found in the fats of the human brain. Studies have also shown that it can also decrease the risk of depression and slows the progression of schizophrenia in children.

Considerations
As with all fish, sardines may be contaminated with mercury, to some extent. However, sardines are among those fish that typically contain the lowest amounts of mercury.

Posted by Doshti Health Care
 DOSHTI

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Tuesday 6 May 2014

Importance of Health, Safety and Environmental Management

The Importance of Health, Safety and Environmental Management


Safety is everyone's responsibility. Employees are the most important resources of an organization. An employer has legal responsibilities to ensure the health and safety of its employees and others on the work site. A safe and healthy workplace has low risks of injuries or damage to property and low incidents of illness, injury and disability in its workforce. The assurance of safety in the workplace is an essential function and responsibility of employers. 

As such, safety management in the office is something to take seriously, because there are many devastating effects that can come from unsafe, or hazardous, work environments.

Management
Safety is everyone's responsibility. However, management is responsible for the formation and implementation of safety and training programs meant to keep employees safe and well. Employers need to know and understand the safety regulations that pertain to their industry and make sure that their work sites follow recommended guidelines.


Employees
Employees need to understand the procedures and policies of the organization and their responsibilities to themselves and their co-worker’s. When employees feel an organization is interested in their overall well-being, they are more motivated and have stronger feelings of loyalty to the organization.

Safety Management
Safety Management means that a company evaluates safety concerns and comes up with ways to minimize exposure to health and safety threats in the workplace. Safety management functions to keep employees and employers safe. It is an integral part of business, because employers who do not take proper precautionary measures to ensure safety are risking accidents and injuries at work.

Safety Protocols
Employers may adopt safety protocols to institute in their places of work, to increase employee safety practices. Posting signs and symbols for safety risks is another way that employers can warn employees of a potentially hazardous situation. Holding safety trainings at work is a good way to make sure employees are properly trained and educated about their company's safety policies and standards.
Payback
Good health and safety practices can improve an organization's prominence with various stakeholders. The company's perception and standing with customers, the local community and employees can be enhanced by having positive safety and health policies and programs in place.

Lost Productivity
If a worker is injured on the job, it can cost the company in terms of lost manhours, increased insurance costs, workers' compensation premiums and legal costs. Absenteeism drops when employers take steps to implement effective safety and wellness programs.


Benefits
Industrial accidents create not only personal grief and distress but also huge financial costs and unwelcome negative publicity for the organisation and industry concerned.  They are of great interest and concern to all of the organisation’s stakeholders e.g. employees, managers, shareholders, local residents and businesses, and suppliers.

In this modern Technical Society, people will not allow organisations to ignore the impact of their activities on surrounding communities. Not all of the stakeholders have the same interests. In meeting their health, safety and environmental responsibilities, businesses have to strike a balance between conflicting interests.  When a firm puts forward a safety recommendation, its shareholders will want to know the cost of implementing it, whilst employees are more likely to ask how many illnesses, injuries or deaths it is likely to prevent each year.

Safety and Wellness Programs
The Organisation must introduce health promotion and wellness programs that prove successful for many companies and employees. Such programs can result in reduce absenteeism, increase employee retention, reduce health care costs and employee satisfaction.

Today, socially responsible organisations go beyond these standards. They monitor and evaluate their performance and develop approaches to health and safety that reflect best practice across each industry in which they operate.


Aim to Improve the Safety Culture and improve the Safety Management System.
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Live by Safety.