Context: Many people around the world strive to achieve younger-looking skin. This is often promised by topical treatments. Oral treatments for skin ageing have been unsuccessful due to their constituents being broken down by acid and enzymes in the gut; however several studies have shown that hydrolyzed collagen is absorbed in the gut and then delivered to skin and joints through the blood stream. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether an oral nutritional supplement drink containing hydrolyzed collagen and other specific ingredients reported to have antiageing properties, would have a positive effect on skin wrinkling, elasticity and hydration. Materials and Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted on healthy subjects to assess whether this oral supplement could improve certain specific skin properties of post-menopausal women, namely depth of facial wrinkles, skin elasticity and hydration. Results: The evidence provided here proves that the combination of specific ingredients present in this nutritional drink acts to significantly reduce the depth of facial wrinkles and increase skin elasticity and hydration. Conclusions: This study shows that the oral nutritional supplement consisting of hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, and essential vitamins and minerals, leads to a significant improvement in wrinkle depth. It is also able to induce noticeable improvement in elasticity and hydration of the skin.

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Despite the diversity, an Indian meal would invariably contain a dish made of milk products. Milk and milk products are considered as wholesome food (pathya) or rejuvenator (rasayana), which can be correlated to modern probiotics and prebiotics that increases the life force (ojas). Ayurveda explains a physiological component/process called " agni", - responsible for digestion and metabolism. Fermented milk products are known to normalize " agni". Ayurvedic treatises dedicate chapters to describe types of milk, preparation of various fermented milk products, and their medicinal uses, which are not known to modern world. Use of fermented milk has been indicated as treatment/diet in many gastrointestinal diseases. The word "probiotics" per se and the microorganisms involved have not been mentioned in the ancient texts, but Indian medicine was certainly aware about the specific uses of dairy products for health benefits and was well-documented. This calls for a closer scientific scrutiny.

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Under nutrition is still a major problem in India and at the same time overweight and obesity are also beginning to affect a substantial proportion of the population. Macro and micronutrient deficiencies affect a significant proportion of the population. Children, pregnant, and lactating women are the most affected with the retardation of cognitive and physical growth, increased susceptibility to infections which ultimately affects productivity of the country. Hence, the Government has devised several national programs like Integrated Child development services (ICDS), National Iron + initiative, National Iodine deficiency disorder control program (NIDDCP) etc., The activities under each program have been listed and its impact as assessed by various evaluation programs has also been mentioned. The determinants of under nutrition are a result of a complex interaction between various factors articulated by UNICEF as immediate, underlying, and fundamental determinants. The fact remains that inspite of all the programs, household food security is determined by a more complex array of factors. Concerted effort and a convergence by all the programs are required with particular emphasis on gender equity. More attention is required in rural areas, scheduled caste and tribe people, very young children between 0-2 years, and the girl child.

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The urbanization of our country has a strong adverse effect on the dietary pattern in particular the youngsters who are travelling away from nature. The awareness on functional foods and nutraceuticals is very meager among all age groups. The key person of a family is ultimately the homemaker; thus the current study is targeted on educated home maker which will have a mass impact on the society. The teaching aid used in the awareness programme is a colorful booklet fabricated in power point software is issued. The awareness on functional foods and nutraceuticals among hundred educated home makers were evaluated through questionnaire before and after the booklet distribution and the results were statistically analysed. Context: To promote better health and to help reduce the risk of diseases through the emerging fields of functional foods and nutraceuticals as a concept of nutrition, this originated in Japan. To emphasis on the Hippocrates saying, "Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food". Aims: To impart basic concepts of functional foods and nutraceuticals to the educated homemakers in Santhosapuram area, Chennai. Settings and Design: The study was planned to evaluate the awareness of functional foods and nutraceuticals among educated home makers in Santhosapuram, Chennai in Tamilnadu. Methods and Material: The methodology used for the study was random sampling method done for one hundred educated homemakers belonging to age group between 20-50 years. The teaching aid used in the awareness programme was a colorful booklet fabricated by the researcher which consists of basic five food groups, food pyramid, functional foods and nutraceuticals: Definition, examples and tables classifying different functional foods, their sources, health benefits and recommended dietary allowance also followed by some cooking recipe was issued. A questionnaire containing open format questions were used to assess the homemaker's knowledge. The booklets were given to each individual homemaker in person with adequate explanations. Ample time was given to them to completely go through the booklet and the same questionnaire was distributed to them. The filled in questionnaires were collected and analysed. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using arithmetic mean, standard deviation, students 't' test and the results were interpreted and discussed. Results: The mean scores obtained by the selected educated home makers on the awareness on functional foods and nutraceuticals before booklet issue was 38.13 and the mean score after booklet issue was 99.13. The mean scores obtained by the respondents on the awareness on functional foods of plant origin before booklet distribution was 29.15 and the mean score after booklet distribution was 98.53. From the above comparative mean scores it is very clear that the study was highly significant. Conclusions: The attempt to distribute a Booklet titled "Titbits on functional foods and nutraceuticals" was observed to be a beneficial tool in inculcating awareness since majority of the home makers changed their dietary pattern as they have changed their routine lunch for their school going children. After awareness they have started to include baked vegetables, stuffed chappathi and sending the school lunch with a fruit each day. So it is the need of the apt time for the functional foods and nutraceuticals to be incorporated in the diets of every one in the family. The key person to bring about a change in the dietary pattern of a home is none other the home maker as per the quotes " when a man is educated a single person is educated but when a woman is educated the whole society is educated". Thus more of awareness programs on significance of functional foods and nutraceuticals should be organized by the nutritionist targeting on women for a horde revolution.

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Advancements in medicine, better diagnostics and zeal for a high quality of life have enabled many geriatric patients seeking medical attention for any type of illness. The elderly population is increasing globally and so does the number of such patients in hospital and critical care units. However, increased incidence of debilitating diseases in elderly makes them more prone to develop malnutrition and thus supplementation of nutrition plays an important role in care of these patients. The parenteral nutrition is usually given if enteral nutrition is inadequate or cannot be given. The causes of malnutrition in elderly can be manifold and may be due to weight loss, loss of fat free mass and due to muscle wasting. The special considerations when formulating parenteral nutrition in elderly population is increased content of lipids, early supplementation of trace elements, minerals and vitamins. The outcomes of parenteral nutrition in elderly population have been found to be similar to that in young patients, however overall prognosis in these patients remain guarded due to more severity and guarded prognosis of the diseases found in these patients. The complications due to parenteral nutrition in elderly patients are similar to that of the young patients and are mainly mechanical (catheter related), infectious and metabolic. It has been recommended that the parenteral nutrition should be started early, if indicated, in geriatric patients and should follow the same guidelines as in younger patients with some modifications.

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Context: Gmelina arborea Roxb (Family: Verbenaceae) is widely used in Sri Lankan traditional Ayurvedic medicine for long -term treatment of diabetes mellitus. Aims: To investigate the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities of the aqueous bark extract of G. arborea. Materials and Methods: The in vitro total antioxidant activities of the hot water bark extract of G. arborea were evaluated by 2,2'-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), and NO inhibition assays. The in vivo antioxidant activity was evaluated by the activities of liver enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, and extent of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the liver of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Results: In vitro antioxidant assays (DPPH, FRAP, and NO) clearly demonstrated the antioxidant potential of G. arborea extract. The G. arborea extract decreased LPO by 27%; activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase decreased by 29%, 23% and 29%, respectively (P < 0.05). The liver reduced glutathione, activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase of plant extract treated diabetic rats increased to 606.47 ± 8.04 μg/g liver tissue, 7.92 ± 0.75, 8.56 ± 1.00, and 7.44 ± 1.42 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively (P < 0.05). The extract was more effective than glibenclamide in restoring the hepatic antioxidant enzymes in STZ diabetic rats. Conclusions: The present investigation revealed that the bark extract of G. arborea exerts significant in vivo and in vitro antioxidant activities.

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Healthy lifestyle has fashionably accommodated so-called high-quality eating practice among the great majority of masses. It has been believed by the practitioners of medicine since civilization time immemorial, usually than not, that healthy intake of foods is key elements of disease prevention and health promotion. In the epoch of millions of innovations and protocol supported clinical practice guidelines, transparent steps and ethical approaches have been initiated as the mainstay of health care delivery. As a natural expectation, every patient and their caregivers expect the advice on diet as a hidden agenda from their health care providers. Holistic dietary practice guideline and training module on diet and food safety are needed for all levels of health care providers for the optimum care in health and disease to the last man on the road.

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