Latest news with #RDA
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
These common vitamin mistakes could poison your liver, cause fatigue and thirst
India's supplement shelves are brimming with promise, yet more pills do not always mean better health. Excessive doses of certain nutrients — especially fat-soluble vitamins that linger in tissues — can tip the body from optimal to toxic. Understanding where 'enough' ends and 'too much' begins is essential for anyone reaching for a capsule. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Karan Khurana, Founder of WishNew Wellness, shared, 'Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) accumulate in the body and can cause liver damage, kidney stones, bleeding disorders or bone loss when taken in megadoses. Water-soluble vitamins are usually excreted, yet chronic excess of B6 or niacin can still trigger neuropathy or flushing. Indian hospitals now report a surge in vitamin D toxicity because high-strength ampoules (60,000 IU) are sometimes used weekly without monitoring.' Karan Khurana revealed, 'Early signs of overload vary — persistent headache, nausea and peeling skin may hint at vitamin A excess, while excessive thirst, muscle weakness or frequent urination can warn of vitamin D-induced hypercalcemia. Unexplained bruising or prolonged bleeding after minor cuts could reflect high-dose vitamin E interfering with clotting.' Karan Khurana concluded, 'Supplements can be powerful allies when guided by science and personalised advice. Respect the RDA, watch for hidden overlaps and let whole foods remain the cornerstone of your nutrition strategy. Striking this balance keeps you energised today while safeguarding long-term health — no megadose required.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
The South African
4 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Dispute over Edgar Lungu's body delays funeral plans
The family of Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu has decided to delay the return of his body from South Africa, accusing the government of failing to honour crucial funeral arrangements. Lungu's remains were expected to arrive back in Zambia on Wednesday via a private charter flight, following several days of tense discussions between the family and authorities. Lungu's family has since called off the plan, expressing deep mistrust in the government's commitment to the agreed terms. Speaking during a media briefing, the family spokesperson, Makebi Zulu, said that the mortal remains of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu will not return today (on Wednesaday). 'We had agreed that the mortal remains of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu would be repatriated today, the 18 June, 2025, and would lie in state at his official residence in Chifwema,' Zulu said. 'However, the family has noted with regret attempts to subvert the spirit of this agreement.' According to Zulu, two major developments led to the family's decision. On 16 June, the Road Development Agency (RDA) announced roadworks along the funeral route from Crossroads to Chifwema, without informing the family. Although the repairs were halted after complaints, Zulu said the move went against what had been agreed. Then, on 17 June, Cabinet Secretary Patrick Kangwa released a statement limiting public access to the airport where Lungu's body was to arrive again, without consulting the family. To make things worse, a new government schedule showed President Hichilema leading the reception and a church service, directly opposing Lungu's explicit wish that Hichilema not be involved in his funeral. 'For these reasons, the family finds it difficult to trust that the government will adhere to the agreement,' Zulu said. 'Sadly, we have resolved that the mortal remains of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu will not return home today. 'We hope that someday his remains will be repatriated and buried.' Edgar Lungu died in South Africa earlier this month while receiving medical care. Zambia is now observing 16 days of national mourning. His family claims Lungu requested that President Hichilema stay away from his body. However, the two sides struck a deal allowing Hichilema to oversee the state funeral on Sunday. Lungu lost to Hichilema in the 2021 election after six years in power. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Key projects put on ice for another year
After a year-long campaign filled with lofty promises and bold slogans about launching ten state-of-the-art mega projects to address the city's core problems and essential needs, these much-publicised initiatives have now been postponed. Initially planned for the current fiscal year 2024-25 — already strained by a deepening economic crisis — the projects have been unceremoniously deferred to the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. Over the past 12 months, the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the District Council, District Administration, and Municipal Corporation have all failed entirely to initiate a single one of these projects. The projects have been pending for 17 years, and continuous delays have caused their estimated costs to surge by 100 to 300%, with a further 25% increase expected after budget approvals. Among these mega projects are the Lai Expressway, sewerage water tunnel and treatment plant, Ghazi Brotha water project, new large-diameter steel pipeline from Rawal Dam for additional water supply, Mother and Child Hospital, Ring Road, three large commercial parking plazas, underpasses from Mareer Chowk to Liaqat Bagh Chowk, Doodhcha Dam, and Chehan Dam water supply scheme. All these projects were initially prepared between 2008 and 2012 but were sidelined due to frequent changes in political governments. The 22-kilometer Lai Expressway was launched in 2008, with its foundation stone laid by then-President General Pervez Musharraf. However, despite 17 years having passed, it remains incomplete. Its initial estimated cost of 1.7 billion rupees has now escalated to 11 billion rupees. The Mother and Child Hospital is a 12-year-old project. Although the state-of-the-art building housing 13 operation theaters was completed, the project has been shut down for the last three years. Originally costing Rs900 million, the building was completed with an OPD inauguration planned for April 30, 2022. However, the government was dissolved on April 10, and the project stalled. Since then, windows, cabinets, doors, iron grills, and machinery have been stolen, and the expansive building has become a shelter for bats, dogs, cats, and snakes. While an additional Rs25m was allocated, work stoppage has caused losses to soar to approximately Rs150m. The sewerage water tunnel and treatment plant, originally estimated at Rs3b and now costing over Rs6b, has been stalled for four years. Similarly, the Chehan Dam water supply scheme has been repeatedly promised throughout the year, but as the fiscal year ended, it too was pushed into the new budget. Its cost has risen from Rs600m to 650m. The Rawal Dam new pipeline and commercial parking plaza projects have proved to be mere publicity stunts. The Ghazi Brotha water project, crucial to meeting the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad's water needs for 100 years, was also neglected again this year. Without Ghazi Brotha, the water crisis of the twin cities cannot be resolved. The project cost has inflated from Rs8.7b to Rs20b over 10 years. The Doodhcha Dam and Ring Road projects have become deadlocked due to extreme delays. Their completion deadlines have expired repeatedly, and now they too have been pushed into the new fiscal year. Because of the severe financial crisis, the District Municipal Corporation failed to launch any significant development scheme during the outgoing fiscal year 2024-25. However, District Development Committee convener and MNA Engineer Qamar-ul-Islam claims that record-breaking roads have been constructed this year, and with a record development budget in the new fiscal year, all mega projects will finally be initiated.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
4 Nutrients You Should Be Eating to Help Lower Dementia Risk, According to a New Study
Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A., RDA new study suggests that several nutrients are linked with a lower risk of dementia. These nutrients include vitamins and minerals that act as antioxidants, plus fiber. High sugar intake was related to an increased risk of we age, it's natural to become more forgetful. But when the occasional 'Where did I leave my keys?' becomes forgetting loved ones' names and your own address, it may be a sign of something more serious. Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities, severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Unfortunately, dementia cases are expected to double by the year 2060. And the economic burden of unpaid dementia caregiving in the U.S. is expected to skyrocket from an average of $172 billion in 2020 to over $1.5 trillion by 2060. And this doesn't take into account the emotional toll on families, friends and caregivers. Since there is currently no cure for dementia, taking preventative measures can be a wise move. Columbia University researchers wanted to know which nutrients were related to a reduced risk of dementia—and which ones might increase the risk. They recently published their findings in Nutrients. Let's break down what they found. Related: 6 Things You Should Do After 5 P.M. to Support Healthy Aging, According to Experts Researchers drew data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), an ongoing U.S. study conducted biennially since 1992 that includes adults 50 years and older. In 2013, food consumption and nutrition intake was collected from a subset of the HRS called the Healthcare and Nutrition Study (HCNS). To evaluate diet, participants completed a food frequency questionnaire that asked how frequently they consumed 163 different foods and beverages over the past 12 months. From this, the research team calculated nutrient intake based on participants' responses for 101 nutrients. Individual nutrients were assessed regarding their relationship to dementia. In addition, researchers calculated composite scores for some groups of nutrients. Participants' cognitive abilities were assessed using two different methods. One method was via a telephone interview with participants and the other was via a proxy respondent. For the proxy method, someone close to the participant answered questions about the participant's memory levels, limitations in instrumental activities of daily living and status of cognitive impairment. Researchers would use this information to look for associations between nutrient intake and dementia risk. This current study included 6,280 HCNS participants who met the researchers' criteria, which included full diet information and cognitive assessments. Researchers also adjusted for demographic information like age, race, sex, BMI, education level, smoking status, alcohol intake and physical activity. After running statistical analyses, the results suggest that several nutrients were connected with a reduced risk of dementia. The five with the strongest association were: Isorhamnetin, a type of flavonol Manganese, a mineral Dietary fiber Beta-tocopherol and beta-tocotrienol, both forms of vitamin E This study also adds to the mounting evidence that high sugar intake is linked with a higher risk of dementia. With that said, it also showed some controversial associations between some other nutrients and higher dementia risk. We say controversial because they conflict with previous research or add to mixed results. For example, this study suggests a link between certain components in milk and an increased risk of dementia, including glycerophosphocholine and vitamin D, both of which have been shown to support brain health in other studies. Researchers note that more research needs to be done, and that it could be due to other components in the food, not necessarily these nutrients. This study has several limitations. First, asking people to estimate how much they ate of certain foods over the last year leaves lots of room for bias, forgetfulness and guessing. Also, cognitive abilities and dementia were not clinically evaluated, which also leaves room for bias. Lastly, researchers did not adjust for factors like genetics and environmental factors that play a role in dementia. Related: The #1 Nutrient for Brain Health as You Age, According to a Dietitian Isorhamnetin is a flavonol found in fruits and vegetables, including onions, almonds, berries, cherries, pears, apples and green grapes. It's also found in ginkgo biloba, an herb touted for its brain health benefits. You'll find manganese in nuts, legumes, whole grains and leafy greens. Maple syrup and maple water are also rich sources of this trace mineral. Manganese plays a role in many bodily processes, including metabolism and immunity. While it's a mineral, manganese plays a dual role and acts like an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage from free radicals. Like manganese, vitamin E also has antioxidant properties, protecting cells from damage. Nuts, seeds, wheat germ, and sunflower and safflower oils are good sources of vitamin E. You'll also get some in spinach and broccoli. A whopping nine out of 10 Americans don't have enough fiber in their diets. Fiber-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes. If you're concerned that you're not including enough of these nutrients in your day-to-day routine, consider shaking things up. An easy (and painless) way to do it is to swap out your typical snacks for nutrient-rich ones. For example, if you typically reach for chips, soda or a candy bar mid-afternoon, consider a handful of nuts and berries. Or how about some hummus and veggie sticks? If you're ready to go all in and want some guidance, check out our MIND diet meal plans. The MIND diet is a fusion of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, and is loaded with brain-healthy foods that are also good for your heart. There is recent evidence that following this healthy eating pattern may reduce your risk of dementia by up to 25%. In addition to food, physical activity, managing your stressors and getting plenty of quality sleep also influence brain health. And make sure you're also spending time with loved ones, as loneliness has also been shown to increase dementia risk. Related: 6 Habits That May Be Aging Your Brain, According to Experts This study suggests that certain nutrients, like vitamin E, manganese and isorhamnetin, all of which act like antioxidants, plus fiber, are linked with a lower risk of dementia. It also adds to existing evidence that high sugar intake may raise dementia risk. If possible, get these brain-protecting nutrients from food. If you have difficulty doing so, seek the advice of a registered dietitian or a healthcare professional who can help you integrate foods rich in these nutrients and determine if supplementation is a viable option for you. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Probe begins into RDA scam
A fact-finding committee, constituted by the Punjab Chief Secretary to probe a major financial scandal involving the embezzlement of Rs1.94 billion in public funds and alleged negligence and carelessness by the authorities holding financial signatory powers at the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), has officially launched its investigation. During its first meeting held in Lahore, the committee raised several concerns regarding RDA's flawed financial management system, demanding complete records of the RDA's bank accounts and the transfer of funds through Call Deposit Receipts (CDRs) to other banks. The next meeting is expected to be held on June 19, during which all Directors of Administration and Finance from the past nine years have been summoned. The decision regarding summoning former Director Generals will be made later. The matter is already under investigation by two separate forums: the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), Rawalpindi Region. Simultaneously, the fact-finding committee formed by the Punjab Chief Secretary convened at the office of Mudassar Waheed Malik, Member Taxes, Board of Revenue Punjab, who is also the convener of the inquiry. Other members present included Moazzam Iqbal Supra, MD of the Punjab Government Servants Housing Foundation, and Madiha Tahir Shah, Additional Secretary A&H. From the RDA, Director-General Kinza Murtaza, Deputy Director Iftikhar Janjua, and Assistant Director Waqar Asghar Raja appeared before the committee. Ex-DD' death sparks concern The committee also reviewed the recent mysterious death — possibly a suicide or murder — of Junaid Taj Bhatti, the former Deputy Director Finance of RDA and former DG of PHA Sialkot. Bhatti died under suspicious circumstances in his Sialkot office on May 13. His death has added further complexity to the scandal. The fact-finding meeting lasted about an hour. The issues raised and the requested records will be thoroughly examined in the upcoming session scheduled for Thursday, June 19, in Lahore. Systemic oversight, audit failures This is considered the biggest financial scandal in RDA's history, spanning nearly a decade. Despite the fact that RDA accounts were audited regularly each year, the massive embezzlement went unnoticed. Shockingly, none of the authorised financial officers, including Director Generals and Directors of Administration and Finance, ever requested or reviewed the bank statements to track fund transfersan act that could have exposed the issue much earlier and led to the establishment of a more secure financial system. During this period, the Divisional Commissioners of Rawalpindi also served as acting DGs of RDA, including the current Secretary Housing Punjab. Several officers from the DMG groupsome of whom are now retired or serving in other high-ranking positionsalso held the RDA DG post during this time. Contractors' payments suspended Contractors and their families faced hardships during the Eidul Azha holidays as no payments were made for the past month or so. Routine operations at the RDA have been severely disrupted following the exposure of a financial scandal in government funds about a month ago. Since the scandal emerged, all payments to contractors have been suspended. When contacted through the RDA spokesperson, Director General Kinza Murtaza said that payments would be made to the contractors soon. However, no explanation was provided as to why payments had been delayed so far or why the contractors had been left in distress.
