Health Bytes
There are many natural ingredients available to fight depression and Cashew Nuts is one of them which can be consumed regularly to help boost the mood and reduce milder forms of depressions to a great extent. They have the same effect as a popular anti-depressant drug. Being rich in nutrients such as proteins, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, they also help the body to produce a hormone Serotonin effectively. Cashews are even rich in magnesium which strengthens bones and balances out moods. However, an overdose should be avoided.
Do you doze off at work? Have you been feeling sluggish and tired all the time? Lifestyle factors like consumption of alcohol and caffeine, poor sleep and nutrition are few main reasons for tiredness and fatigue. There are various foods which are known to fight fatigue and boost the energy. Pumpkin seeds and walnuts are rich in proteins, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids and can fight symptoms of fatigue. Oatmeal and yoghurt are also good energy boosters. Watermelon is the best fruit in terms of water content and instant energy.
Here’s a simple mix which has abundant health benefits to offer! A mixture of pineapple juice, salt, honey, and pepper can heal a persistent sore throat and cough. This drink can treat muscle issues in your lungs and may give you a relief from many cough problems without having any side effects on your body. Pineapple juice has also been known to cure respiratory issues as well. However, you must use raw pineapple from an organic store and should not use sugar or artificial juices for the preparation of this mixture.
It is a fact that the high protein and highly nutritional Milk is extremely healthy if consumed raw and natural. The bioavailability of calcium from dairy products is greater than from various vegetables. According to experts, the best time to consume milk would be at night rather than in the morning because it might make you feel lethargic as it takes a longer time to digest. Additionally, consuming it at night helps to relax your body and enables the cells of your body to effectively absorb the nutrients.
Just a little change can improve your health in the long run. For example, when you’re eating out, ask for mashed side dishes like mashed carrots, potatoes, celery and cauliflowers instead of a side of greasy fries. If you don’t like mashed ones, try the baked ones, or in fact, go for baked snacks. Try yogurt dressings instead of oily salad dressings because yogurt adds an extra zing to food and is anyways healthy. Substitute wheat flour with buckwheat or oatmeal flour which is healthier. Replace ordinary salt with Rock Salt which is extremely good for fasts.
Health and Fitness experts provide following tips for proper digestion and feeling less bloated. Avoid packaged foods which contain “Sugar Alcohol” which are Low-Digestible Carbs and not absorbed by the small intestine. Take certain digestive herbs like mint, fennel and peppermint oil which provide relief to the muscles of the digestive tract. You should restrict sodium intake and start consuming more water at work. Replacing coffee with green tea is one of the healthiest ways to go forward. Apart from this, eating slowly, trying a dairy detox and exercising your abs is also recommended.
To scale up the existing Mmitra programme, currently having 3 lakh registrations of women for receiving advises on maternal and child care across 37 government maternity homes and hospitals in the city, the state government has initiated a plan under which the young mothers will receive voice messages to guide them on methods of breastfeeding, diarrhea, vaccination, family planning and nutrition for their children until they turn five. A call centre consisting of 3 experts on nutrition and 7 counsellors will also be made available for any difficulties.
Avocado is extremely rich in healthy fats and is commonly used in producing oil. The Avocado oil has significant health benefits as it is a large source of antioxidants. Oleic acid is the most abundant fatty acid present in it which has numerous health benefits. A few studies have proven that avocado oil may be greatly beneficial to the heart and in reducing blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. A carotenoid, Lutein, present in it is good for eye health. Studies in rats show that it helps in faster healing of wounds. This oil can be added to smoothies or cold salads and can be used in everyday cooking.
The military diet claims to help you lose about 4kg in just a week and is a very popular diet as it does not ask you to buy any additional supplement or food. It is a low-calorie weight loss diet. The first three days of this diet gives you a set meal plan, while the other 4 days have fewer restrictions but still encourage you to consume only healthy food and fewer calories. The military diet is mostly safe for healthy people, however, it should be followed for an extended time period as it only gives temporary benefits and makes you gain weight again faster.
Creatine is one of the most effective supplement to increase muscle strength and mass. It provides additional ATP energy which adds to the maximal power and strength-based activities. It sends a signal to your body to build muscle mass and new proteins. A recommended and safe dosage is 20g of the supplement per day split into 4 doses for a week, then reduce it to 5g per day. Creatine is the best exercise supplement, however, it will only be beneficial to your body if you follow a regular and sensible exercise and fitness plan.
As compared to men, the risk of getting affected by certain diseases is much higher in women as they grow older. Nutrition is anyways important throughout the life. However, it is important for women to maintain a healthy weight and a BMI of 25. To help them maintain the overall health and strengthen the immune system, a nutritionist has advised consuming more fruits and veggies, higher intake of calcium, and staples. It is also recommended to consume more food from animals like eggs, nuts, seeds, cheese and milk, or have a balanced diet.
The Director of Puducherry Institute of Linguistic and Culture, Mrs. Bhakthavatsala Bharathi, claims that Tamil cuisine is healthy and provides a lot of nutrients. In Tamilnadu, there exist about 209 castes and each of them have their own subculture and food traditions. Gingery Oil (Nalla Yenai) which is used regularly in the state to cook food, got its name because ‘Nalla’ means good and has also been mentioned in the Vedas. In Kerala, coconut oil is preferred over mustard oil as compared to the North, she added. According to her, olive oil is just a marketing gimmick which is gaining attention nowadays.
With respect to World Health Day on April 7th, there has been an outrage of spreading awareness about Diabetes, innovating and developing treatments as the theme of WHO for this year is Beating Diabetes. According to WHO diabetes kills more than 2 lakhs Indians every year. It is said that Indians have more fat in their pancreas and liver which affects metabolism. It is seen that diabetes is now affecting people even in their young age. With high alert and concern, the researchers of India will try to come up with a modified set of treatment protocols for treating millions of Indians, silently becoming diabetics.
Overweight and obesity are leading causes of Diabetes, and both of them include too much snacking. Here are some healthy snacks which fit your weight loss diet. Mixed Nuts, Red Pepper, Yoghurt and Mixed Berries, Apple slices with Peanut Butter, Cottage cheese with Flaxseeds and Cinnamon, Celery sticks with Cream Cheese, Kale Chips, Almonds, Cucumber slices with Hummus, Cherry tomatoes and Mozzarella, Chia seeds Pudding, Whey protein shake, Canned Salmon, Edamame, Dried Unsweetened Coconut, Olives, Spicy Avocado and Sun-dried tomatoes. Leftovers from last night can also help you to a good extent.
Almond oil, like coconut oil, is widely used as carrier oil or base oil by various hair oil manufacturing companies. Pure almond oil is really good for the hair and skin as it is a rich source of Vitamins E and A. It nourishes the dry and lifeless skin completely. It works effectively for the treatment of dandruff and hair damage. It also helps to keep a check on inflammation, scalp infections, and to treat skin infections like eczema and psoriasis. Moreover, it also lightens the skin and removes tan thereby giving it a refreshing glow.
Gone are those days when you had to incur expenses just to make your smile beautiful.Now you can whiten your teeth naturally at home using certain effective remedies. The most effective one is a mixture of lemon and baking soda. Mix one tablespoon of both lemon and baking soda in a bowl. Soak a piece of cloth in that mixture and apply it on your teeth for about 2 minutes, then rinse properly. For best results, follow this regularly.
It is equally important to maintain your oral health as heart diseases, stroke, heart attack, diabetes, and other serious health conditions have been linked to bad oral health. For this, you must follow these habits regularly. Use fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day and then rinse your mouth properly. Floss your teeth regularly or use an interdental toothbrush as brushing does not help clean entirely between gums. Avoid wrong eating, smoking, chewing tobacco etc. and control sugary snacks for maintaining good oral health. Give dentists a visit.
Magnesium is a vital mineral as it is involved in a number of chemical reactions in our body which contribute to overall health and well-being, and yet people fail to reach the daily recommended intake. Food items which are rich in magnesium include nuts, seeds, avocados, dark chocolate, legumes, fatty fish, tofu, leafy green veggies, and bananas. Health experts advise us to eat foods which are rich in magnesium because it leads to improved health and immune system.
Soybean contains all three important macro-nutrients serving as a perfect complement to cereal protein which gives a limited supply of lysine. It is hence, the most affordable source of proteins having great potential to prevent problems like malnutrition. It is the cheapest legume with neutraceutical properties which help build muscles mass and weight, improve brain functioning and immunity, stamina and reduce fatigue. Soybean is one of those few plants, with minimum saturated fat, that provides good quality proteins supplying all the amino acids in required amounts for overall health and well-being.
Healthy eating and beauty trends continuously undergo changes which are very alarming. Wrong eating habits have hazardous effects on our health lifestyle. Listening to the opinions of experts, many health conscious people started avoiding fatty foods to keep themselves from consuming dietary fats and then the concept of removing carbs from our diet gained popularity. This led food corporations to cunningly inject more sugar and more salt in products that were supposed to be Healthy. Hence, it is advised to consume home made food over any processed food.