Freshly crushed garlic serves heart better than processed

Freshly crushed garlic has more potent heart-healthy effects than dried garlic, scientists have claimed.

In the study, which will be published in the Aug. 12 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, boffins also challenged the widespread belief that most of garlic's benefits are due to its rich array of antioxidants.

Instead, garlic's heart-healthy effects seem to result mainly from hydrogen sulfide, a chemical signaling substance that forms after garlic is cut or crushed and relaxes blood vessels when eaten.

In the study, Dipak K Das and colleagues point out that raw, crushed garlic generates hydrogen sulfide through a chemical reaction. Although best known as the stuff that gives rotten eggs their distinctive odor, hydrogen sulfide also acts as a chemical messenger in the body, relaxing blood vessels and allowing more blood to pass through.

Processed and cooked garlic, however, loses its ability to generate hydrogen sulfide.

To reach the conclusion, scientists gave freshly crushed garlic and processed garlic to two groups of lab rats, and then studied how well the animals' hearts recovered from simulated heart attacks.

"Both crushed and processed garlic reduced damage from lack of oxygen, but the fresh garlic group had a significantly greater effect on restoring good blood flow in the aorta and increased pressure in the left ventricle of the heart," Das said.

Lay claim to greatness

Blame or claim -- that's the choice each of us has to make each day. Blame what's not working or claim the gift in the seemingly negative situation. The world needs more heroes. And heroes spend their days hunting for the best. They see the best amidst adversity. They see the best in others. They dig for the best in themselves. They claim their greatness. And in doing so, they get their best lives.

An extraordinary life is not something only available for the chosen few--people with perfect teeth and royal pedigrees. You and I are destined for greatness. We are meant to live spectacular lives. That's hardwired into our DNA. But we need to do our part to make it all happen. Choice by choice. Step by step.

Small gains eventually yield giant results. Life truly does want us to win. We only need to do our part. So lay claim to your greatness. Drive a stake into the ground to mark your place under the sun. Stop being a prisoner of your past and become the architect of your future. And remember, it's never too late to become the person you have always dreamed of being.

Learn or decay

There's a cure for ageing that no one talks about. It's called learning. In my mind, as long as you learn something new each day, stretch your personal frontiers and improve the way you think, you cannot grow old. Ageing only happens to people who lose their lust for getting better and disconnect from their natural base of curiosity.

"Every three or four years I pick up a new subject. It might be Japanese art; it may be economics. Three years of study are by no means enough to master a subject but they are enough to understand it. So for more than 60 years I have kept studying one subject at a time," said Peter Drucker, the father of modern management who lived until he was 95.

Last year, I had the joy of spending a couple of hours in conversation with Shimon Peres, the former Israeli prime minister and Nobel Prize winner. He was nearly 82 at the time, and I couldn't help but notice that his eyes actually sparkled as he spoke of his love of books, big ideas and learning. "Mr Peres, when do you read?" I asked. His reply: "Robin, when don't I read? I read when I get up in the morning, when I can during the day and every single evening. Most of my weekends are spent reading great books. Books are my constant companions."

He then added with a smile: "If you eat three times a day you'll be fed. But if you read three times a day you'll be wise."

Too many people never pick up a book after they've finished school. Unbelievable. Too many people spend more time watching TV than getting deep inside the minds of the greatest people who have walked the planet. Too many people have closed their minds to new insights and powerful thoughts.

One idea discovered in a one book can change the way you see the world. One idea read in one book can transform the way you communicate with people. One idea found in one book could help you live longer or be happier or drive your business to remarkable success. Never leave home without a book in your hand.

Dressing up papa Federer!

As a fashion designer, it is not surprising that Narendra Kumar has worked with many brands. So what's interesting is that at a time when Bollywood and sports stars end up being the faces of all Indian and international brands, he's been signed on as the brand ambassador for Swiss International Airlines.

Says Narendra, "I must admit that I was glad a designer was considered; it's high time we got out of the rut and companies started looking beyond these sections. More importantly, the company and I share the same principles -- we both believe in class and performance. So I identify with the company."

And it doesn't stop at that because while Narendra is the ambassador in India, tennis aceand father of twins Roger Federer is the international ambassador for the airline. "I must say that it's great to be in such esteemed company -- I am a fan of his. But it wouldn't be fair to compare us -- I mean, I am not a patch on him. He's in a different league; he's made history and I am far from anything like that -- at least as of now," laughs Nari.

That said, could this common factor between them also possibly translate into a future meeting between the two? "To be very honest, I am not sure how and when that's going to happen as he (Roger) is an extremely busy man. But if and when I meet him, I'd love to gift him one of my creations," he notes.

So what would he want Roger to wear? "I'd want to dress him in an outfit that is both Indian and international. He's an international figure, so global appeal is important. I'd make him a one-button cutaway suit which is an Indian version of the tuxedo. The fabric will be high quality wool in black colour while the shirt inside would be a white cotton dress shirt with French cuffs. The black woolen trousers would complete the look. So it would be like a westernised bandhgala; the jacket, in particular, will add that dash of Indianness," he explains.

Penelope Cruz loves London, but not its weather

Penelope Cruz does not quite like British weather. Dressed in a red trouser suit and heels for the UK premiere of her latest film Broken Embraces, she said that the English climate didn't suit her.

"I love London... but I have difficulties with the rainy weather," the Telegraph quoted her as saying. However, the weather remained fine despite earlier showers.

Broken Embraces is the fourth collaboration between Cruz and director Pedro Almodovar. And the Woman on Top star can't choose her best movie among it. She said: "That's hard, it's like choosing one of your kids."

The plot revolves around a film-maker who goes blind after an accident and struggles to re-engage with life.

Ranbir and Kat won't dub together

The industry grapevine is buzzing with the rumour that Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are no longer on talking terms. The actors were bonding so much on the sets of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani that they were fuelling rumours that there might be more to their relationship than what meets the eye and that Ranbir's relationship with Deepika Padukone was on the rocks.

Deepika is said to have even visited the sets of Rajkumar Santoshi's film just to check whether the rumour had any truth to it. And then reports claimed that Deepika had put her foot down and thus Ranbir put the brakes on his growing friendship with Kat to mend their affair.

Since then, sources say that the duo are avoiding each other completely and have also dubbed separately for the film even for portions that required them to do it together because there are emotionally charged moments that needed the right channelling of feelings from both parties.

Our source says, "Ranbir and Katrina became very close friends on the sets of the film and their growing fondness for each other speculated a lot of rumour. The two even attended the wrap-up party of the film and their body language was very cordial.

Everything was fine between them till then but after reports said that Deepika was not taking their relationship with a smile, things seem to have changed. The two were supposed to dub together for the movie but now they aren't doing that. They came into the dubbing studio separately and have not even met once there. They have also not signed any other film in which they are being cast together."

Rajkumar Santoshi confirms the news saying, "It is true that they are not dubbing together. I really would have loved to see them dub together as there were scenes that needed them to be together. I can't say anything on whether they are on talking terms or not," he states, adding, "They are thorough professionals. Katrina and Ranbir have been on time for the dubbing sessions even if they are not doing it together."

When contacted, Katrina remained tight-lipped on the subject. On the news of them not being on talking terms, "Not true," she said. "It takes me a lot longer to dub so I have started earlier." She then went on to add, "We are good friends."

Now, now, haven't we heard this line a number of times before!

Lindsay Lohan spends 11hrs in salon to get red hair bleached

Mean Girls star Lindsay Lohan has taken her obsession with Marilyn Monroe a step further, by spending 11 hours in a salon just to get her red hair bleached.

Lohan, 23, is also said to have had long extensions put in during her trip to the hairdressers, reports the Sun.

The actress finally emerged from a Beverly Hills salon puffing on a cigarette, though she covered up her new hairdo with a Fedora as she headed to on-off girlfriend DJ Sam Ronson's home.

Lohan had also revealed that she wanted to take her obsession with Monroe to the big screen, and star in a remake of movie classic 'Some Like It Hot'.