Features

Neem is a traditional medicinal plant and is India’s best-kept secret for centuries! 

Magical avenue

The magic of the neem tree remains concealed in its evergreen and everlasting universal property.

My journey through the Indian sub-continent and North Africa takes me back to the avenue of Margosa trees catering to the world of traditional medicine and shade to travellers.

A prominent street is named after it in my hometown Bangalore, which remains a legendary icon of the city.

Saplings of neem trees were planted in tropical countries due to its resilient all-weather property and its medicinal value.

Health haven

The plant contains an extraordinary amount of amino acids, vitamins and minerals which enhance the healing process. Neem has been extensively used in recent times as it exhibits a wide array of biologically active compounds.

All parts of the neem tree, starting from leaves to bark, have been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammation, infections, skin conditions and dental disorders. Neem twigs are popularly used for brushing teeth as it works as an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory wonder to avoid bleeding gum; it is good for oral hygiene and whitens teeth.

The active ingredients from the bark, leaves, seeds and flowers are extracted for their proven antiseptic, antipyretic, analgesic, contraceptive and anti-cancerous property.

Neem extracts have been widely used for making mosquito repellents and insecticides for pest control in agriculture and for treating mosquito nets in recent times.

The alcoholic extract of the leaves has proved to be an effective contraceptive.

Cosmetic applications

In the world of cosmetics, neem flowers are generously used as moisturisers. The flowers have a sweet, almost mystical jasmine-like scent at night and blossom once in the afternoon and then again in the evening.

The robust bitter property of the leaves has proven to be a very active ingredient for most cosmetic products. Some of the popular concoctions with coconut oil are used for treating acne, blackheads, dandruff and for healing wounds.

Its antibacterial property works wonders for treating infections, burns and all kinds of dermatological conditions. It is known to stimulate the immune system and encourage rapid healing. 

The paste of crushed neem leaves combined with turmeric acts actively for itching, eczema, ringworms and dark spots. Neem face masks, soaps, oils and capsules are popularly sold in organic health outlets across the world.

Culinary contribution

Neem flowers are specially used in south Indian recipes in dried and powdered form for curries.

The fresh white flowers in a green salad enhance the flavour and give colour to recipes. Some of the best recipes at home are chutneys, tamarind-tomato stew, yoghurt raita and aromatic rice. 

Tea infused with neem flowers makes a favourite drink after dinner as it has a calming property.

Recipe for relief

Winter itch: Neem oil baths.

Bleeding gums: Neem flowers are popularly used to garnish salads and curries. A couple of leaves chewed daily could help bleeding gums.

Thinning hair: A weekly neem oil scalp massage could strengthen hair and serve as a natural hair conditioner, preventing split ends and dandruff.

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine

An ingredient commonly used to kill bacteria in toothpaste and hand sanitiser could put people at greater risk of bone disease, new research has found.

Women exposed to triclosan, a chemical often found in soaps and hand sanitisers, may be more likely to develop osteoporosis than women who do not have this exposure, a new study suggests. 

Triclosan has been widely used for years as an antimicrobial agent in consumer goods and personal care products including soaps, hand sanitizers, toothpaste and mouthwash, researchers note in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 

While the exact effect of the chemical on human health is not clear, some previous research suggests that triclosan may interfere with thyroid and reproductive hormones. 

Triclosan has also been shown to impact bone health in animals, but less is known about the potential for this chemical to contribute to weak, brittle bones in people, said Yingjun Li of Hangzhou Medical College School of Public Health in China. 

For the current study, Li and colleagues examined data on 1,848 women in the US and found that those with the highest levels of triclosan in their urine were two-and-a-half times as likely to have osteoporosis as women with the lowest triclosan levels. 

“Triclosan exposure may be a risk factor for lower bone mineral density and osteoporosis,” Li said by e-mail. “The evidence was stronger in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women.” 

In women, reduced estrogen production during menopause and afterward can slow production of new bone tissues. Over time, this process increases their risk of osteoporosis. 

About 30 per cent of postmenopausal women in the US have osteoporosis, and four in 10 of them will experience a bone fracture, the authors note. 

The study was not a controlled experiment designed to prove whether or how triclosan might directly cause osteoporosis. 

But it is possible that triclosan exposure could trigger changes in the production of thyroid hormones and estrogen that interrupt normal skeletal development and maintenance of healthy bones as women age, Li said. 

“Triclosan could lead to lower bone mineral density and increased prevalence of osteoporosis,” Li said. 

Even though more research is needed to prove whether triclosan directly causes osteoporosis, it still makes sense to avoid using products that contain the chemical, said Luz Claudio, an environmental medicine and public health researcher at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. 

“Luckily, triclosan is rapidly excreted from the body after exposure, so in theory, it should be possible to reduce the amount of it we have on our bodies by avoiding continuous exposure,” Claudio, who was not involved in the study, said by e-mail. 

“People who are concerned can avoid products that contain triclosan by reading the labels,” Claudio advised. 

Washing with regular soap and water, for example, can help fight germs just as well as using antibacterial cleaning products and avoid exposure to triclosan, Claudio said. 

But consumers do need to read the labels because triclosan is in a lot of cosmetics and personal care items that are not necessarily marketed as antibacterial products. 

“If a product contains triclosan, this should be listed on the label,” Claudio said. 

In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration limited the use of triclosan in some products as it was not proven to be safe for long-term use.

In April, the FDA banned its use in over-the-counter hand sanitisers in the United States, though it is still found in other products.

Past studies assessing its use in toothpaste suggested it was safe, but said more research was needed.

A study out of the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom found there is a link between dementia and certain classes of anticholinergic drugs.

The drugs — particularly antidepressants, bladder antimuscarinics, antipsychotics and antiepileptic drugs — resulted in nearly “50 per cent increased odds of dementia”, according to the observational study published on Monday in the peer-reviewed JAMA Internal Medicine journal.

Anticholinergic drugs help contract and relax muscles, according to Mayo Clinic. They can also be used to treat ulcers and prevent nausea. This is done by blocking a neurotransmitter in the brain, acetylcholine, from entering the nervous system.

Doctors prescribe these kinds of drugs to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bladder conditions, allergies, gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The risk is only associated with 1,095 daily doses within a 10-year period, which is equivalent to an older adult taking a strong anticholinergic medication daily for at least three years.

“The study is important because it strengthens a growing body of evidence showing that strong anticholinergic drugs have long term associations with dementia risk,” said study author Carol Coupland, professor of medical statistics in primary care at the University of Nottingham.

“It also highlights which types of anticholinergic drugs have the strongest associations. This is important information for physicians to know when considering whether to prescribe these drugs,” she told CNN. “This is an observational study so no firm conclusions can be drawn about whether these anticholinergic drugs cause dementia.”

The study warns people against stopping any of the medications listed without consulting their doctors.

The researchers found no significant increases in dementia risk associated with antihistamines, skeletal muscle relaxants, gastrointestinal antispasmodics, antiarrhythmics, or antimuscarinic bronchodilators, but associations were found among other classes of anticholinergic drugs.

An estimated 47 million people worldwide were living with dementia in 2015, while in the United States around 5.7 million people have Alzheimer dementia, according to the study.

Anticholergenic drugs include, but are not limited to, Artane, Bentyl, Oxytrol, Neosol, Symax and Vesicare. A full list can be found at Mayo Clinic.

Recent criticism of social networking is clearly on the increase. And it is being heard from not just journalists, government officials and academics, but also from some of the most authoritative people on the web, including its father Tim Berners Lee. Add to that the admission by the founder of the largest, most widely used social network of them all, Facebook, who recently recognised that certain aspects of the extremely popular media were to be adjusted, fine-tuned, so as to better protect privacy, to fight misuse, abuse, and so forth.

However imperfect Facebook, Instagram, WeChat, Tumblr, Viber, Snapchat or Pinterest may be, they have literally changed the way people share and enjoy personal, non-business communication. Billions of postings and messages are exchanged every day. A recent article on makeawebsitehub.com lists not less than 65 social networks. Some are used not just as social media but in a wider scope, including business and politics, like for instance WhatsApp and Twitter. US president Trump’s famous Tweets are good illustration of such use.

And then there is the dark web. Two days ago the French newspaper Le Figaro reported that a large-scale security operation had allowed the dismantling of a big platform referred to as Deep Web-Market that was selling weapons of all kinds — including heavy, military grade arms — as well as narcotics, and forged identity documents. 

So it is agreed, there is a bad, dark side of the Internet. Everybody knew it. What is new is the admission by the web authorities of the size, of the impact of the phenomenon, and that something was to be done about it. However, given the inherent sprawling structure of the Internet, its gigantic size, and the fact that the freedom of the populations using it is to be taken into consideration, it is unlikely that a radical, fair solution can be found in the near future.

Despite such rather sad news, the good news about the Internet prevail, and by far.

The dark web and social networks misuse should not make us forget all the good things we find on the network. Besides, the Internet is not just about social networking! There is a mile long list of online applications that we just cannot imagine living without anymore and that cover virtually everything from online shopping, banking, airline reservation, tax declaration, utility bills payment, personal cloud storage, e-mail, and where there is nothing “bad, ugly”, but mainly “good”.

Demonising the Internet in a global manner, without nuance or distinction, would be unfair and wrong. Especially that the good applications and websites largely tip the scale in their favour. This is true even inside a specific social network such as Facebook. How many people have been reunited with their friends, how many get daily, instant news of their relatives at the other end of the world, how many share pleasant news and photos thanks to Facebook? How many elderly, sometime lonely people find a friend, a nice way to entertain themselves with Facebook? Certainly much more than there is any misuse of it.

It has been said times and again before, and it is good to be reminded of it now that there is a trend among famous and important people to blame the web: It is like life itself, like going out in the street or to your workplace, you must learn to accept and to live with the good and the bad. Luckily on the web we have more of the first.

WASHINGTON — Robots are expected to take over some 20 million manufacturing jobs worldwide by 2030, extending a trend of worsening social inequality while boosting overall economic output, a new study shows.

The forecast set to be released on Wednesday highlights growing concerns that automation and robots, while offering economic benefits, are disproportionately killing low-skill jobs and aggravating social and economic stress.

The study by Oxford Economics, a private British-based research and consulting firm, said job displacement from the rise of robots will not be evenly spread around the world, or within countries.

Robots have already taken over millions of manufacturing jobs and are now gaining in services, helped by advances in computer vision, speech recognition and machine learning, the study noted.

In lower-skilled regions, job losses will be twice as high as those in higher-skilled regions, even in the same country, the study concluded.

The research comes amid intense debate on the rise of technologies such as self-driving cars and trucks, robotic food preparation and automated factory and warehouse operations and their impact on employment.

Many analysts point out that automation has generally led to more job creation than it destroys, but that in recent years the trend has created a skills gap that leaves out many workers.

According to the latest study, the current wave of “robotisation” is likely ultimately to boost productivity and economic growth, generating roughly as many new jobs as it destroys.

At the high end of the forecast, the researchers see a $5 trillion “robotics dividend” for the global economy by 2030 from higher productivity.

“We found that jobs where repetitive functions are required are most affected, with those such as warehouse work at imminent risk,” the authors wrote.

“Jobs in less structured environments and which demand compassion, creativity or social intelligence are likely to be carried out by humans for decades to come.”

It added that “robots will increasingly play in sectors including retail, healthcare, hospitality, and transport as well as construction and farming.”

The impact will be uneven depending on the country and regions within each country, the study said.

“Automation will continue to drive regional polarisation in many advanced economies — and this trend will intensify as automation spreads to services,” the authors wrote.

But they cautioned against policymakers acting to slow the adoption of robotic technology.

“Instead the focus should be to use the robotics dividend to help those in vulnerable regions ready themselves for the major upheaval ahead,” they wrote. 

“Preparing for and responding to the social impacts of automation will be the defining challenge of the next decade.”

Summer means flip-flops, barbecues, sunshine and... peak divorce season?

With children out of school and family vacations planned, summer can be a time that adds stress to many marriages. But it can also be a time to start planning for divorce if a spouse is considering it, family law and psychology experts say.

Divorce filings consistently tick up in August and March, according to a study presented in 2016 at the American Sociological Association. The research, done by University of Washington sociologists, analysed filings in Washington state between 2001 and 2015 and found the biannual pattern.

“If there are problems in the marriage, they often get exacerbated when couples spend more time together if things are not going well, and then we see that spike when they return to their routine,” said Jennifer Brandt, an attorney based in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Brandt and Eric Wrubel, a New York divorce attorney, say they also see increased filings continue into September when kids return to school. Often, the spike picks back up in January with the new year. But what is important, when possible, is to plan for a split ahead of time, they say.

“You should start your divorce planning months before you want to get divorced,” Wrubel said.

Summer is often a good time to have conversations with your attorney, financial adviser and, of course, your family.

“A lot of times people go through life and don’t know, ‘How many bank accounts do we have’ or ‘How many credit cards do we have?’ ‘Am I on the title of the house?’” Wrubel said. “You want to know what’s in your checking account, what’s in your savings account. You want to start collecting information.”

Among the practical steps spouses should take during the summer months, Wrubel and Brandt say: Taking stock of assets; collecting any records that may be needed, like phone records and credit card statements; and assembling a team of family, friends and legal aid to guide you through the divorce.

Summer also allows a spouse thinking of divorce to reflect on whether it’s right for them and what they’d want from the divorce, Wrubel said.

“People overlook really figuring what they want,” he said. “They say they want a divorce and they want to do it and they’re ready, but they’re not because they don’t know the legal ramifications.”

One option couples could consider if they are unsure where their marriage stands is discernment counselling, a type of counselling for spouses “on the brink” of divorce that helps them “pick a path” between staying together or splitting, says Amy Wagner, a licensed clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist at Northwestern University’s Family Institute.

“When people get caught up in their own emotions, it’s hard to step back and carefully make a decision that is clear for them,” Wagner said.

Wagner also said that many couples wait too long to get help.

“It’s really much more challenging to try to resolve issues when they’ve been going on for years and years,” she said.

For spouses who know there’s trouble in their marriage but do not want to begin divorce proceedings themselves, it is still a good idea to get legal advice, said Brandt.

Divorce “usually doesn’t come completely out of left field. It never hurts to get some general information”, Brandt said. Sometimes, the biggest stress for individuals is just not knowing what the actual outcomes of a divorce may be, she added.

As for children, Brandt says it is best not to involve them until it affects their lives.

While being honest with children about conflict in the family is good, parents should wait to tell their kids until there is a concrete plan in place as it relates to the divorce, Wagner added. Wagner also said there’s no “universal” time that is best for children to tell them about the divorce.

“It’s not a cookie cutter approach. It’s not a ‘one advice fits all,’” added Wrubel. “Kids are different, but kids are resilient.”

LOS ANGELES — Dolls ruled the weekend as “Toy Story 4” and “Child’s Play” revived the box office after a three-week-long slump, but overall numbers continue to lag behind last year.

Disney and Pixar’s latest entry in the two-decade-spanning “Toy Story” franchise raked in $118 million, well below studio predictions of $140 million to $150 million, according to estimates from measurement firm Comscore.

Internationally, the film earned $120 million for a global cumulative of $238 million.

“This is a huge debut,” said Cathleen Taff, the studio’s distribution chief. “It’s the fourth biggest animated opening of all time, it’s the third biggest opening of the year, and I think it shows that people have a love for these characters. We’re in rare company, and I think the magnitude of the opening and the ongoing draw of ‘Toy Story’ shows that… we’re set up for a really nice run for the summer.”

Despite the superlatives, “Toy Story 4” grossed $30 million less than “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”, the No. 1 film a year ago. The total for all movies opening this weekend is 28.3 per cent behind the same weekend in 2018 and the year-to-date comparison is now down 8.9 per cent.

Directed by Josh Cooley, the computer-animated sequel cost an estimated $175 million to $200 million to produce. It was well-received by audiences and critics with an A CinemaScore and a 98 per cent “fresh” rating from review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes.

The original “Toy Story” hit theatres in 1995, ushering in an era of computer-generated animation. That film opened with $29 million before grossing $373 million worldwide.

In the intervening years, the series’ popularity only grew, as 1999’s “Toy Story 2” opened with $57.4 million (before earning $497.4 million worldwide) and 2010’s “Toy Story 3” opened with $110.3 million before amassing $1.07 billion in global receipts.

In second place, Orion’s “Child’s Play” opened with $14 million, slightly below analysts’ projections of $16 million to $18 million.

A modern take on the classic ‘80s slasher flick, “Child’s Play” features “Star Wars” star Mark Hamill as the voice of the killer doll, re-imagined as a Siri-like AI smart toy rather than the reincarnated serial killer of the original. Brian Tyree Henry and Aubrey Plaza round out the cast.

“Child’s Play” earned a tepid response with a C-plus CinemaScore and a 58 per cent “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

At No. 3, Disney’s “Aladdin” stayed strong in its fifth weekend, adding $12.2 million, a modest 30 per cent drop, for a cumulative $287.5 million.

In fourth place, Sony’s “Men in Black: International” added $10.7 million in its second weekend — a 64 per cent drop — for a cumulative $52.7 million. Internationally, the film earned $30.2 million for a global cumulative of $182.1 million.

Rounding out the top five, Universal’s “The Secret Life of Pets 2” added $10.3 million in its third weekend (a 58 per cent drop) for a cumulative $117.6 million.

At No. 6, Paramount’s “Rocketman” added $5.6 million in its fourth weekend for a cumulative $77.3 million.

In seventh place, Lionsgate’s “John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum” added $4 million in its sixth weekend for a cumulative $156 million.

At No. 8, Warner Bros.’ “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” added $3.7 million in its fourth weekend for a cumulative $102.3 million.

In ninth place, Fox’s “Dark Phoenix” added $3.6 million in its third weekend, a 62 per cent drop, for a cumulative $60.1 million.

Warner Bros.’ “Shaft” finished 10th, adding $3.5 million in its second weekend, a 60 per cent drop, for a cumulative $16 million.

The final new wide release of the weekend, Lionsgate and Summit’s “Anna” opened outside the top 10, earning $3.5 million, in line with analyst predictions of $5 million or less.

The female-led action thriller, starring Sasha Luss, Luke Evans, Cillian Murphy and Helen Mirren, was shrouded in controversy after an actress accused its director, Luc Besson, of rape in 2018. The case was eventually dropped because of a lack of evidence.

The film earned a B-plus CinemaScore and dismal reviews with a 27 per cent “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In limited release, Neon opened “Wild Rose” in four locations with $56,183 for a per-screen average of $14,046.

Magnolia Pictures’ documentary “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” opened in four locations with $44,000 for a per-screen average of $11,000.

Now in its second weekend, Focus Features expanded zombie comedy “The Dead Don’t Die” into 77 additional locations for a total of 690, adding $1.1 million (a lacklustre per-screen average of $1,631) for a cumulative $4.7 million.

A24 expanded “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” in its third weekend into a total of 72 locations and added $413,589 for a per-screen average of $5,744 and a cumulative $1.3 million.

CBS Films expanded the documentary “Pavarotti” into 135 locations and added $409,000 in its third weekend for a per-screen average of $3,030 and a cumulative $992,089.

The Film Arcade expanded “Being Frank” into 11 locations from its three last week, adding $13,208 in its second weekend for a per-screen average of $1,201 and a cumulative $31,859.

This week, Universal opens the comedy “Yesterday”.

Adults with clogged arteries carrying blood to the heart may be more prone to cognitive decline than their counterparts without such cardiac problems, a study suggests. 

This was true whether patients had suffered a heart attack or they had angina, which is the term for chest pains caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. 

For about 12 years, researchers followed 7,888 adults, starting when they were 62 years old on average. At the start, none of them had a history of stroke, heart attack, angina, or dementia. 

By the end of the study, 480 people, or 5.6 per cent of the participants, had a heart attack or developed angina. 

Before these events, and immediately afterward, these patients had similar annual rates of cognitive decline as participants who did not have a heart attack or angina, researchers report in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 

But as more time passed after a heart attack or angina diagnosis, patients experienced more rapid cognitive decline than participants who did not have these heart issues. And heart attack and angina patients also had faster declines in verbal skills, word fluency and critical skills like telling time. 

“Even a slight acceleration in cognitive decline might speed up cognitive aging which might eventually translate into problems in activities of daily living and finally, to a cause even need for institutional care,” said Suvi Rovio of the University of Turku in Finland. 

“Therefore, the patients who have suffered a cardiovascular event should be monitored for their cognitive function not only acutely after the event, but the monitoring should be done frequently and to be extended to cover a longer time period after the event,” Rovio, coauthor of an editorial accompanying the study. 

During the study, researchers assessed participants’ cognitive function in eight waves over up to 12 years. 

To test verbal memory, they asked participants to recall 10 unrelated words. They also asked participants to name as many different animals as possible in one minute, to test semantic fluency. Third, they asked people questions regarding the date, month, year and day of the week. 

Participants who experienced a heart attack or angina showed faster rates of cognitive decline in all 3 tests. 

Patients with angina showed a robust decline in cognitive skills related to time, whereas heart attack patients had significant cognitive decline in verbal memory and word fluency, and worse overall cognitive decline. 

“Even small differences in cognitive function can result in an increased risk of dementia in the long-term,” said Wuxiang Xie of the Imperial College School of Public Health in London and lead author of the study.

“Because there is no current cure for dementia, early detection and intervention are essential to delay the progression to dementia,” Xie said in a statement.

The study wasn’t a controlled experiment designed to prove whether or how a heart attack or angina might directly cause cognitive decline or accelerate this process. It’s possible that coronary heart disease might cause cognitive decline due to the lack of oxygen to the brain, the study team write.

One limitation of the study is that it relied on participants to report any diagnosis of angina or heart attack. Researchers also measured cognitive function using isolated tasks, and people might have impairments that went undetected.

Even so, the findings suggest that patients with heart problems need to be extra careful to make lifestyle changes to minimise their risk of cognitive decline or dementia in the future, Rovio said.

 “This means that it is important for the patients for example to control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as to adopt a healthy diet, be physically active, and avoid smoking and excess alcohol drinking.” Rovio advised. “What is known to be good for your heart is also good for your brain.”

First launched in 2014 as a slightly larger and more spacious value-oriented small city car, the Suzuki Celerio both served to replace the brand’s long-running ultra small Alto in some markets, and to complement it as a more useful family car in others, including Jordan.

Built at the Japanese brand’s Suzuki-Maruti operation in India — and Pakistan and Thailand too — the Celerio GL model as sold in Jordan, proved to be a practical and basic car that is fun to drive and equipped with useful, if limited features.

Narrow, tall and with a compact footprint, level waistline and comparatively big glasshouse, and upright cabin and bodywork, the Celerio’s roots are that of a practical and utilitarian boxy design, yet with significant concessions to modern styling. Feisty looking with its big lower air intake, metallic three-slat grille and clamshell bonnet, the Celerio also features mildly convex side and rear tailgate surfacing. Meanwhile at the rear, its diamond-like lights, short overhang and sculpted bumper lend it a somewhat eager stance vaguely reminiscent of the stylishly athletic third generation Renault Clio.

Eager three pots

Powered by a tiny 1-litre 12-valve DOHC 3-cylinder engine under its short and low bonnet, the Celerio develops 67BHP at 6,000rpm and 66lb/ft torque at 3,500rpm. Eager, buzzy and with a pleasantly off-beat three-pot engine note, the Celerio might sound slightly thrashy near its 6,100rpm rev limit. Lightweight at between 810-840kg, it accelerates through the 0-100km benchmark in 15.2-seconds, and onto a155km/h maximum. The diminutive Celerio also returns frugal claimed 4.3l/100km combined fuel efficiency, low 99g/km CO2 emissions and long driving range despite a small 35-litre fuel capacity.

Responsive and willing in mid-range and at top-end with its low weight and narrow tyres making it feel faster than it actually is. Its aggressive gearing, however, makes it quick enough when joining traffic, while healthy hid-range urge for so small an engine helps when overtaking. Driving the front wheels through an automated self-shifting manual gearbox with sequential manual shift function, gear changes are quickest and most efficiently at high rpm, but it also proved quicker and smoother through gears at moderate speeds, than typical of such systems. 

Darty driving

Driven too briefly in Amman to adequately assess high-speed characteristics and the full breadth of its dynamic ability, the Celerio proved stable and surprisingly well insulated from outside noise at moderate speeds. Driving with distinctly alert clarity and engagingly fun zipping through corners and narrow roads, its steering delivers terrific road feel, nuanced feedback and a sense of textured tension to its weighting and resistance. Eager and darty into corners with good front bite, the Celerio also turns with less body lean and better control than anticipated.

Highly manoeuvrable and agile through corners, traffic and tight confines with its short wheelbase, the Celerio provides an engaging and connected driving experience, if one that’s slightly busy over road imperfections, yet taut on rebound. Its narrow and high sidewall 155/70R14 tyres meanwhile provide delicately accurate steering feel and a supple ride over road lumps, bumps and ripples — besides offering peace of mind as they are affordable and not particularly prone to kerb damage. Ride quality is meanwhile slightly firmer feeing over bigger and more sudden bumps and cracks.

Big city small car

With a supportive, alert and high driving position, big glasshouse, low bonnet and upright body, the Celerio offers excellent road visibility in virtually all directions. Coupled with its tiny dimensions, exact steering and narrow body, one can place it on road with pinpoint accuracy whether through winding or busy narrow road, and when reversing or parking in tight spots. Additionally, its small size, short wheelbase and relatively high 145mm ground clearance provides a terrific ramp angle for driving over bumps or steep and sudden parking garages descents. 

A small, narrow and tall back-to-basics five-door, five-passenger city hatchback, the Celerio’s cabin offers terrific front and rear headroom, better than anticipated width and rear legroom, and usefully shaped 254-litre minimum luggage room that expands to a maximum 1,053-litres. User-friendly and uncomplicated inside, hard plastic surfaces are well disguised with dark colours and mild design flourish, while controls and functions are within easy reach. Well-equipped for its segment and price, the Celerio GL features dual airbags, air conditioning, USB-enabled sound system, electric windows and mirrors, and remote central locking.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Engine: 1-litre, transverse 3-cylinders
• Bore x stroke: 73 x 79.5mm
• Compression ratio: 11:1
• Valve-train: 12-valve, DOHC, multi-point injection
• Gearbox: 5-speed automated manual, front-wheel-drive
• Gear ratios: 1st 3.545; 2nd 1.904; 3rd 1.28; 4th 0.966; 5th 0.696
• Reverse/final drive: 3.272/4.294
• Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 67 (68) [50] @6,000rpm
• Specific power: 67BHP/litre
• Power-to-weight: 82.7BHP/tonne
• Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 66.3 (90) @3,500rpm
• Specific torque: 66.4Nm/litre
• Torque-to-weight: 81.8Nm/tonne
• Rev limit: 6,100rpm
• 0-100km/h: 15.2-seconds (estimate)
• Top speed: 155km/h (estimate)
• Fuel consumption, urban/extra-urban/combined: 5.3-/3.7-
• /4.3-litres/100km
• CO2 emissions, combined: 99g/km
• Fuel capacity: 35-litres
• Length: 3,600mm
• Width: 1,600mm
• Height: 1,540mm
• Wheelbase: 2,425mm
• Tread, F/R: 1,420/1,410mm
• Ground clearance: 145mm
• Kerb weight: 810-840kg
• Gross vehicle weight: 1,260kg
• Doors/seats: 4/5
• Luggage volume, min/max: 254-/1,053-litres
• Steering: Power-assisted rack & pinion
• Turning circle: 9.4-metres
• Suspension: MacPherson struts/torsion beam
• Brakes, F/R: Ventilated discs/drums
• Tyres: 155/70R14
• Price, JD10,500 (on the road, excluding insurance)

By Dr Renad Seheimat

Clinical Pathologist and Laboratory Medicine Specialist

One of the most common complaints I see in my field of specialisation is increased thinning or loss of hair.

It is an uncomfortable topic of conversation for any adult. But given the emphasis on women’s looks and fixation on hair, hair loss in women is an especially taboo subject.

Treating hair loss depends on the root cause. Getting your blood tests done can help you find out if hair loss is due to nutritional deficiencies, medical and hormonal imbalances or is simply hereditary. The most important nutritional deficiencies to check for are iron, zinc, biotin and B vitamins deficiencies.

Hormonal conditions could be due to thyroid gland problems, excess cortisol (stress hormone), high levels of androgens, especially DHT. This hormone causes hair follicles to shrink, resulting in a shorter life span and decreased hair production. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in particular can lead to obvious hair loss in females due to high levels of male hormones like testosterone.

If your hair loss problem is due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause or contraceptive pills, the good news is that this is temporary and hair growth will resume after these factors pass.

Hormonal imbalances

Consult with your doctor, preferably an endocrinologist, before using any conventional or natural hair remedies. 

Hereditary or genetic

Conventional treatments, like surgical hair transplant and laser, may be the best option for this type of hair loss.

Medication

Make sure that you are not taking medication that contributes to thinning hair and hair loss by checking their side effects.

Natural plan for healthy fuller hair

Lowering stress levels through prayer, yoga, acupuncture or meditation. Regular exercise is vital and helps increase circulation and improve hair growth. Do not forget to avoid stressors like packaged sugary foods, high caffeine or alcohol intake and unhealthy fats. 

Increasing intake of nutrient-dense whole foods. Nutrition of the hair starts from the hair follicle and root that are fed by a nutrient-rich blood supply. Some of the most crucial nutrient deficiencies that can affect hair growth are:

• Iron: If you have iron deficiency, increase your intake of iron-rich proteins like grass-fed beef and green leafy vegetables

• Biotin: If you do not get enough biotin in your diet, it can lead to dry, brittle hair. Foods that are rich in biotin include nutritional yeast and egg yolks 

• Zinc: One of the most essential nutrients for tissue growth and repair, including hair growth, is zinc. Grassfed beef, pumpkin seeds and chickpeas are rich sources

• Vitamin A makes sebum that conditions the scalp. Best food choices include pumpkin, sweet potato and kale 

• Vitamin C and antioxidants help your body absorb the iron it needs. Guava, kiwi, papaya, broccoli and red pepper are some of the best choices

Considering supplements

Multivitamin taken daily, containing the previously mentioned nutrients, can help complement a healthy diet

Omega-3 (1,000 milligrammes daily or 1 tablespoon of oil daily) can help reduce inflammation and thicken hair

L-lysine (500–1,000 milligrammes daily) to combat hair loss

B-complex vitamins (1 tablet daily) also helps with stress

Bone broth powder is rich in protein, collagen, gelatine, glucosamine, chondroitin and many vital nutrients that support and promote healthy hair growth

Using herbs

• Ashwagandha (500 milligrammes daily) helps the body adapt to stress and reduce cortisol levels. It can be used if your hair loss is due to anxiety, grief, shock or other stressors 

• Saw Palmetto (320 milligrammes daily) can significantly improve hair growth. It can be used if your hair loss is due to excess testosterone

Trying essential oils

Essential oils like rosemary, lavender, cedar wood, thyme and sage, when used topically, are very beneficial to stimulate hair growth. 

Mix three to four drops of peppermint, rosemary and sage in one tablespoon of olive oil or coconut oil and massage the mixture gently into the area of concern daily.

Consult with your doctor before attempting any natural remedies 

Reprinted with permission from Family Flavours magazine