Maternal Smoking Effects Continue Long After Birth

                The effects of maternal smoking continue long after birth, according to a new study which found that early exposure to nicotine can trigger widespread genetic changes that affect formation of connections between brain cells. The finding helps explain why maternal smoking has been linked to behavioral changes such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), addiction and conduct disorder. Nicotine does this by affecting a master regulator of DNA packaging, which in turn influences activity of genes crucial to the formation and stabilization of synapses between brain cells. When this regulator is induced in ice, they pay attention to a stimulus they should ignore. An inability to focus is the hallmark of ADHD and other behavioral disorder, which have been linked to maternal smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke. In the study, researchers found that mice exposed to nicotine during early development did indeed develop behavioral problems that mimic symptoms of ADHD in humans.

Eat What You Want And Know What You Eat

                Food is whatever the five senses absorb. Sights and smell, sound, the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and skin affect body and mind. Food is important because it is visible and vibrant energy that influences us physically, emotionally and spiritually. Ironically, even the wealthiest person cannot ensure purity of food. Pure food is that in which purity of body and mind is used by all those involved in the whole process of producing, buying, cooking and eating. Food is to be eaten with respect for the cook, the vegetables, buyer, seller, so that gratitude is part of the system.

                Food is an important part of paying tribute to God. A prayer of thanks to God before eating is an important ritual in Christian homes. Arya Samajis, proponents of formless Power, offer food to fire as respect and gratitude. Offering food to fire, cow, crow, dog or a poor person is recommended in scriptures as bhuta yajna. Sharing develops cosmic love and a feeling of oneness. Anything offered to God becomes prasada and acquits the ability to purify body, mind and spirit.

                Entire existence and all actions come under three categories of purity, passion and ignorance. Eating food is like performing sacrifice. Cooking and eating is a highly revered process. Kitchen and utensils have to be clean, ingredients are collected with care, the digestive fire is to be ignited meaning that hunger should exist. Naturopathy and Ayurveda recommend food to be seasonal, grown in the right place, at the right time, as only then it can contain living intelligence of nature and energy. Nature offers water-rich fruits and vegetables in summer and dry ones in winter.

                When we eat out of season food we not only disrespect nature but also our inner nature and immune system. Oily, heavy food with artificial preservatives is too bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent and dry resulting in hyperactivity, restlessness, anger, irritability, and sleeplessness. Non-vegetarian diet, stale food, excessive intake of fats, oil and sugary food is decomposed and decayed, consists of leftovers and brings dullness of mind, inertia and confusion.

                Fresh and juicy foods have life force. Modern food processing takes the life out of foods. Food prepared by someone who is thinking of how to rob or murder, or in anger or tears will have negative vibes. Not only will the food be difficult to digest, it will also lead to heaviness and inertia, anger and violence in mind.