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Diabetes mellitus is a nutritional disorder, characterized by an abnormally elevated level of blood glucose and by the excretion of the excess glucose in the urine. It results from an absolute or relative lack of insulin which leads to abnormalities in carbohydrate metabolism as well as in the metabolism of protein and fat.

Diabetes is a disease known to the medical world since time immemorial. Its incidence, is however, much higher at present than ever in the past. This is especially true in case of more advanced countries of the world due to widespread affluence and more generous food supply.

The most commonly used screening tests are the determination of the fasting blood glucose level and the two-hour postprandial, that is after a meal. The normal fasting blood sugar content is 80 to 120 mg. per 100ml. of blood and this can go up to a level of 180 mg. per 100 ml. of blood two hours after meals. Anything above these norms can be termed diabetic levels.

Diabetes occurs in all age groups, from young infants to the elderly. The greatest incidence occurs in middle or order aged persons. It is estimated that 80 to 85 per cent of all individuals with diabetes mellitus are 45 years of age or older.

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With the Indian Premier League being thrown into the jeopardy, the organisers have started the cumbersome process of re-working the dates in a bid to salvage the high profile Twenty20 cricket event starting next month.

The tournament, coinciding with the general elections, has run into the rough weather after the Home Ministry asked the organisers to redraw the schedule as it was not feasible to hold matches under the existing fixtures because of security reasons.

IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi and CEO Sundar Raman, who air-dashed to the capital from Mumbai last night, spent the entire day here having meetings to find a way out of the imbroligo.

“We are working on a new schedule. Hopefully, everything will be sorted out”, IPL Tournament Dhiraj Malhotra said.

But even as frantic discussions were going on, IPL received another jolt with Bangalore Police declining to provide security cover for the Tournament till May 3 and advised the organisers to hold all the matches after May 4.

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The word “Vitamine”, meaning a vital amine was proposed by a Polish researcher Dr. Cacimir Funk, in 1911 to designate a new food substance which cured berri-berri. Other terms were proposed as new factors were discovered, but the word vitamin, with the final “e” dropped, met with popular favour.

Vitamins are potent organic compounds which are found in small concentration in foods. They perform specific and vital functions in the body chemistry.

Vitamins, which are of several kinds, differ from each other in physiological function, in chemical structure and in their distribution in food. They are broadly divided into two categories, namely fat-soluble and water soluble. Vitamins A, D, E and K are all soluble in fat and fat solvents, and are therefore, known as fat-soluble. They are not easily lost by ordinary cooking methods and they can be stored in the body to some extent, mostly in the liver. They are measured in International units.

Vitamins, used therapeutically, can be of immense help in fighting disease and speeding recovery. They can be used in two ways, namely, correcting deficiencies and treating disease in place of drugs.

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Fatigue refers to a feeling of tiredness or weariness. It can be temporary or chronic. Almost every person has to work overtime on certain occasions, sacrificing rest and sleep, which may cause temporary fatigue. This condition can be remedied by adequate rest. Chronic or continuous fatigue is, howwever, a serious problem which requires a comprehensive plan of treatment.

The chief cause of fatigue is lowered vitality or lack of  energy due to wrong feeding habits. Fatigue is an indication that the cells of the body are not getting sufficient live atoms in the food to furnish them with a constant flow of needed energy. The habitual use of refined foods such as white sugar, refined cereals and white flour products as well as processes, tinned and preserved foods have a very bad effect on the system in general. Certain physical conditions can cause fatigue. Anaemia is a very common ailment leading to tiredness.

Nutritional measures are most vital in the treatment of fatigue. Studies reveal that people who eat small mid-meals suffer from less fatigue and nervousness, who think more clearly and are more efficient than those who eat only three meals daily.

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Halitosis refers to bad breath which is not only a sign of ill-health but also a social stigma. It is uncommon in many people at all times. Unfortunately, most people who offend in this respect are completely unaware of their problem and the discomfort they cause to others.

The most common cause of halitosis is bad teeth and gum conditions. Dental decay at the  roots of the teeth may result in abscesses in the gums with foul-smelling pus giving an objectionable odour to the breath. Even small holes in the teeth may provide a place where germs can multiply and release foul odours.

If halitosis is caused by tooth and gum conditions, tonsillitis, sinusitis, smoking or anemia, these conditions must be treated. Once they are eliminated, the bad breath will disappear. Similarly, bad breath resulting from gastro-intestinal disorders can be successfully treated by correcting these disorders and cleansing the system of morbid matter.

The patients suffering from halitosis should take a well-balanced diet consisting of  seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits, which emphasis on raw cooked vegetables and fruits.

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Sprouts are considered as wonder foods. They rank as the freshest and most nutritious of all vegetables available to the human diet. By a process of natural transmutation, sprouted food acquires vastly improved digestability and nutritional qualities when compared to non-sprouted embryo from which it derives.

Sprouted foods have been part of the diet of many ancient races for thousands of years. Even to this day, the Chinese retain their fame for delicious mung bean sprouts. Sprouts provide all the essential vitamins and minerals. They should form a vital component of our diet. Sprouting requires no constant care but only an occasional sprinkling of water.

All edible grains, seeds and legumes can be sprouted. Generally, the following are used for sprouting :

1. Grains - Wheat, Maize, Ragi, Bajra and Barley.

2. Seeds - Alfalfa seeds, radish seeds, fenugreek seeds, carrot seeds, coriander seeds, pumpkin seeds and musk melon seeds.

3. Legumes - B engal gram, Groundnut and Peas.

Sesame seeds are another good source of nourishment.

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Gunmen have attacked a bus carrying the SriLankan cricket team on its way to play in the Pakistani city of Lahore.

At least six policemen escorting the team bus were killed, along with a driver. Seven cricketers and assistant coach were injured.

Pakistani officials said about 12 gunmen were involved and grenades and rocket launchers have been recovered.

Officials said the incident bore similarities to deadly attacks in Mumbai last November.

The Mumbai attacks were blamed on Pakistan-based Islamic militants.

Pakistani cricket was already suffering from security concerns.

Pakistan invited SriLanka to tour only after India’s cricket team pulled out of a scheduled cricket tour on security grounds, following the Mumbai attacks.

Reports suggest that 10 to 12 gunmen ambushed the team coach and its accompanying police detail on the Liberty Square roundabout in the heart of Lahore, as the convoy was on the way to the Gaddaffi stadium for a test match.

The injured players include Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavitana, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Chaminda Vaas and Assistant Coach Paul Farbrace.

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Australia’s economy has shrunk for the first time in eight years, raising fears that the country may be heading for a recession.

The economy contracted by 0.5% in the last three months of 2008 from the previous quarter, the government said.

Economists had been expecting it to grow by 0.2%.

If Australia’s economy shrinks again the current quarter, it will enter recession, usually defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction.

Australia’s resource-based economy has been hit hard by the decline in commodity prices, but it has fared better than others.

The country’s mining firms are cutting back on spending, slashing staff numbers and shelving projects.

“Our economy did contract in the December quarter, but by far less than other developed economies”, said Treasurer Wayne Swan.

“This is sobering but unsurprising outcome as i think it does illustrate the full impact of the magnitude of the global recession and how it is impacting on this country”.

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Fraud-hit IT firm Satyam has been given the go-ahead to sell most of itself.

Indian financial authorities approved plans for the company to sell a 51% stake as it seeks to win back clients and restore customer confidence.

Reports suggest computing giant IBM and Indian Engineering from Larsen and Toubro are frontrunners for the stake.

Satyam has struggled since former boss Ramalinga Raju admitting inflating their assets by more than $1bn.

Shares in Satyam jumped 18% after the company’s state appointed board got approval to sell the majority holding.

Satyam lost more than 80% of it’s market value following Mr Raju’s confession in January.

The auction for the stake will be global and potential buyers would need to have assets of at least $150m.

The buyer would then not be able to sell its stake for at least three years, Satyam said in a statement.

Satyam had been one of the biggest players in the booming IT software market, supplying back-office services to firms from around the world.

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