Your feedback will help us to serve you betterWe request Readers to send their views/suggestions.
The honest feedback given by you will help in improvement
of your favourite magazine.E-mail your suggestions to : [email protected]
Q.3.Why do we feel tired?
–Niladri Biswas, Bangalore
Ans.Our lifestyle practices play an important role in
causing ‘fatigue’ a feeling of tiredness. Though, it is
mainly due to muscle fatigue, it has direct relation with
central fatigue that hits the brain and nervous system.
It is a normal result of mental stress, overstimulation
and understimulation of hormones and enzymes,
depression, boredom, and lack of sleep. Certain
diseases like anaemia, hypoglycaemia, hypothyroidism,
blood pressure, etc, and allergies also cause fatigue.
It may also have chemical causes such as poisoning
or mineral or vitamin defi ciencies. Fatigue may also
be side effect of certain medications.
Temporary fatigue is likely to be a minor illness, and
is soon improved by a short period of rest.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis)
is characterised by extreme disabling fatigue that is
made worse by physical or mental exertion. It does
not resolve with bed rest and cannot be attributed to
other disorders. It maybe due to viral infection, genetic
predisposition, and immune reactions.
Serotonin hormone build-up in the brain has been
found to be responsible for fatigue. Though it primarily
energises us, it also causes exhaustion resulting in
fatigue. When we exercise, neurons in brain release
serotonin, which boosts activity of the motor neurons,
that send impulses to the muscle cells causing their
contraction. However, with continuous higher levels,
motor neurons become less active, leading to central
fatigue. This spillover of serotonin tires the brain, and
the nervous system becomes incapable of sending
suffi cient nerve impulses to muscles to keep exercising.
Hence, we become mentally exhausted and fatigue
sets.
Some neuroscientists speculate that build-up
of adenosine in brain extracellular fluid, after
prolonged neuronal activity, may lead to onset of
fatigue. Taking coffee with caffiene energises us and
delays fatigue, as caffiene is an adenosine receptor
antagonist.
During strenuous exercise, lactic acid accumulates due
to anaerobic glycolysis. This increases acidity of cells,
which maybe a factor in fatigue.
Q.4.Cucumber helps us to digest our food?- Aritra, Kolkata
Ans. Cucumber, scientifi cally known as Cucumissativus
is a creeping vine that develops cylindrical, edible
fruits.
The high water content and dietary fi bres in cucumber
work together, for effi cient functioning of the digestive
system. Drinking cucumber juice cures many digestive
disorders like heart burn, constipation, gastritis etc.
The dietary fi bres and water in cucumber also help in
protecting our body from kidney stones and preventing
constipation. Cucumber prevents acidity due to its high
alkaline levels and regulates body pH by neutralising
acidity.
It is a very good source of potassium, an important
intracellular electrolyte which is heart friendly and
helps bring a reduction in total blood pressure and
heart rates by countering effects of sodium.
Magnesium content of cucumber ensures proper blood
circulation and relaxes the nerves.
Cucumber provides antioxidants such as -carotene,
vitamin C, etc., which act as protective scavengers
against oxygen derived free radicals that play a role
in ageing.
Cucumber has the natural ability to remove toxins from
the body, and fl ush out the unhealthy fats. Moreover,
cucumber acts as a natural diuretic.
Cucumber has surprisingly high amount of vitamin K
which plays a potential role in bone strength by
promoting osteotrophic activity.
It contains silica, a trace mineral, that contributes
greatly to strengthening the connective tissue including
muscles, bones, ligament, cartilage and tendons.
Cucumber also contains ascorbic acid and caffeic acid,
which prevent water loss from the body.
Hence, cucumber not only helps us in better digestion,
but is also benefi cial for overall good health.