Archives for April 2018

April 21, 2018 By Anusha Subramanian Leave a Comment

Key to good health is practising a good lifestyle

Vilas-player

IT’S NOT A DIET

IT’S NOT A PHASE

IT’S A PERMANENT LIFESTYLE CHANGE

Lifestyle change works for all provided one is determined to make that change. Be it blood pressure, heart ailment, diabetes or even cancer, a lifestyle change has provided the most effective and sustainable result. Many think that making a lifestyle change is an arduous task but, there are few others who think otherwise and are very determined to make that change so as to have a good life in the future. Vilas Lange from Ahmedabad is one such gentleman who decided he wanted to change his lifestyle if he wanted a healthy life in the future.

His journey started with getting a tracking device a year ago, His goal was to reduce his weight and triglycerides. the tracking device GOQii also provided him the coach and doctor facility who helped him initially start with basic exercise and nutrition. Exerciing daily has helped him reach his target step count of 10000 to 12000 steps daily and right nutrition that helped him reduce his weight from 86 kegs to 79 kegs.

Vilas has had an issue of high triglycerides for past 11 years. His triglycerides are very high (@450) however, since being on the GOQii platform he has been able to control it and bring down a bit and is currently working on reducing this further with the help and guidance of his coach, GOQii doctor Andy his personal doctor.

Vilas now follows an exercise regime of walking at least 25 Kim’s a day and on Sundays he works out with the Active Sunday group for an hour.According to him Actove Sunday is a wonderful platform or concept where an inidividual gets to meet like minded individual who motivate and learn each other.

His message to the community is loud and clear ‘Stay Fit to be healthy’

April 20, 2018 By ASHWINI PRAKASH CHAUDHARI 5 Comments

Power of Pomegranate: Very Nutritious

There are many fruits available with good nutritional value and fibre in them. But, while many are seasonal fruits and can be enjoyed only for a specific period of time, there are many others which are available through the year such as apple, banana, pomegranate, etc. Couple of month’s back I wrote about the benefits of an Apple. As every fruit has its own benefits Today, I am going to tell you about the ‘Power of Pomegranate’.

As a fruit, Pomegranates are high in carbohydrates and low in fat than other food groups. It contains no cholesterol or saturated fats. It is a good source of soluble and insoluble dietary fibres. The fruit is also a good source of antioxidant vitamin-C and many vital B-complex groups of vitamins such as a Pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5), folates, pyridoxine and vitamin K, and minerals like calcium, copper, potassium, and manganese which give a properly balanced nutrition for good health.

Pomegranates have most powerful antioxidants among all fruits. Antioxidants in pomegranates include polyphenols, such as tannins and anthocyanins. In fact, pomegranates may have even more antioxidant power than cranberry juice or green tea.

Pomegranate contains approximately 50 percent of our daily recommended vitamin C, as well as pantothenic acid (B5), which may help us in preventing muscle cramping and insulin resistance. As it is a good source of Vit C and dietary fibre, it improves resistance to outer infections caused by the viruses. Eating pomegranates regularly helps strengthen our immune system in the body and protects us from harmful diseases.

Again, the dietary fibre helps our digestive system becoming smooth and controls bowel movements. It also helps in improving blood circulation in the body. As its low in fat and has zero cholesterol, it helps to reduce the weight. The soluble and insoluble dietary fibre content reduces extra fat deposits all around the body.

Regular consumption of pomegranate is found to be effective against prostate cancer, the antioxidants present in pomegranate help in the combination process of free radicals in the body. Daily intake of pomegranate juice reduces the thickness of fat accumulation in the arteries. So it helps to fight and cure cardiovascular diseases. The fruit’s anti-inflammatory properties protect against asthma, piles, diarrhoea and other diseases. Studies show that pomegranates may have benefits to relieve or protect against depression and osteoporosis.

It’s not only the fruit even its peels have nutritional benefits. In recent times, Chinese researchers have claimed that the pomegranate peel does hold immense potential as it contains double the antioxidants than the fruit pulp contains.

As it is a good source of Vitamin C, the growth agent helps heal wounds and form scar tissue. It acts a protein agent to build body mass and is an important player in the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth.

1 tbsp of pomegranate peel powder should be taken twice daily with water for preventing bad breath. Again the peel helps in cough relief. The mixture of peel powder in hot water and gargling with that water helps relieve sore throats. The fruit consumption also helps in the prevention of hair fall. Daily intake of pomegranate will also make your skin glow. Because of all these qualities, the pomegranate is called a super fruit.

The pomegranate arils make a perfect garnish for salads and other dishes also. Its juice is used in soups, jellies, sauces and different other types of cakes and its juice also add natural sweetness to the dishes with a unique flavour.

Try them sprinkled over salads, swirled into yogurt, or blended into a smoothie.

You can have pomegranates with a bowl of curd and 2 tsp of Flax seeds.

Spinach and pomegranate salad or juice will be a good combination for detoxifying the body.

So if you have not been having Pomegranate start doing so from now on a daily basis.

April 19, 2018 By SNEHA CHIKHALE 4 Comments

Papaya and its health benefits

papaya

This spherical or pear-shaped fruits was called the “fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus because it was very delicious, sweet with musky undertones. This tropical angel fruit is none other than Papaya. Originally from the tropics of America, the Spanish and Portuguese explorers brought papayas to many other subtropical lands to which they journeyed including India, the Philippines, and parts of Africa. Packed with great health benefits, Papaya has been used since quite long for medicinal uses in day to day life.

Every part of a papaya tree, from the fruit to the leaves, contains some medicinal properties and this makes Papaya, a great fruit option to include in your diet.

Health Benefits of Papaya:

1) Lowers cholesterol – Papaya is rich in fiber, Vit C and antioxidants that help prevent cholesterol which builds up in your arteries.

2) Helps in weight loss – Being very low in calories and high in fiber content, leaves you feeling full and also clears your bowl movement, making your weight loss regime easier.

3) Boosts Immunity – A single Papaya contains ample amount of Vit C and Vit A, which helps boosting the body’s immunity and hence is very good for those who are suffering from fever, cold or flu.

4) Good for diabetes – It is low in sugar and still sweet in taste, hence popular amongst diabetic people.

5) Helps ease menstrual pain – Women, who are suffering from menstrual pain, should help themselves to several servings of papaya, as an enzyme called Papain helps in regulating and easing flow during menstrual period.

6) Anti – ageing and Papaya – The antioxidants in Papaya help in controlling premature ageing and helps you to get a younger look.

7) Good for the Skin: Papaya can also be applied directly on the skin and can be used as a face pack to get its benefits. It helps to get rid of acne and skin infections as it helps to open clogged pores. It is also good to cure the skin infections and wounds that don’t heal quickly.
What is interesting about this fruit is that while, it finds its place in fruit salads, Papaya also works as a meat tenderizer and used in non-vegeterian cooking. One should thus consider having Papaya everyday for all the health benefits that it provides.

April 18, 2018 By Luke Coutinho 1 Comment

Dehydration and your Metabolism

Water is the most important thing that we should never ignore. How many of us have been told that we should drink at least 2.5 to 3 litres of water every day or 8 glasses minimum. And, how many of us actually follow this? Most of us drink water only when we realize that we are very thirsty. But, ideally that should not be the case.

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Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water. If you are thirsty, then it is already too late. The problem is that many of us have trouble deciding when we are thirsty.

I know I am thirsty when I feel sluggish or tired, experience mild headaches, have trouble concentrating or constipated. A dry mouth and a flushed or tired feeling are all signs that you could be thirsty, but you have realized it when it’s already too late.

‘Thirst’ is a tricky phenomenon to understand. The feeling of thirst is governed by the hypothalamus in the brain. It reads the salt levels in the body. When you are dehydrated, the salt concentration in your body rises. That triggers your thirst alarm. But, by this time, many of your vital organs are already severely deprived of water.

Water is a miracle liquid. You are a mixture of water, protein and a myriad of molecules blended together to create a physical you. Two-thirds of your body is water. Cells, bones and blood both hold water and float in it. Muscles are 75% water.

You need water to enable your body to keep eliminating the toxins generated, to produce digestive enzymes, maintain healthy skin, hair, organs and to help your body absorb essential vitamins, minerals and natural sugars. Water also regulates your body temperature, cooling you down by evaporating through your skin.

Even on a cold winter day your body will use and lose about 2 liters of water. Imagine how much greater that amount is on a hot summer day.

The important point over here is to understand that less water or getting dehydrated frequently SLOWS DOWN YOUR METABOLISM. A slow metabolism means slower fat loss and slumps in your energy levels and growth.

SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION:

Fatigue
Lethargy
Irritability
Headache
Blurred vision
Flushed skin
Lack of mental clarity
Constipation
Cystitis
Back pain
High cholesterol
Cellulite
Water retention

Don’t reach a point of dehydration.

** Always carry a water bottle with you.
** Wake up to 500ml to 800ml of water every morning.
** Sip through the day and keep a bottle at your desk so you remember to drink in case you get busy.
** Remember, coffee is a diuretic, if you drink coffee you need to drink 2 cups of water post that.
** If you drink alcohol, drink one glass of water for every drink you have.