Search Results for: kidney

August 12, 2024 By Vandana Juneja 3 Comments

Natural Bodybuilding vs Steroid Bodybuilding

This topic is one of the most discussed in the bodybuilding community and is very controversial too. Both natural bodybuilding and steroid bodybuilding have been practiced since long and each group feels that their method of body building is “right”. Before coming to a conclusion, let’s first understand the difference between the two and then decide which one is better.

Natural Bodybuilding

Naturally bodybuilders do not use any sort of synthetic steroids or other drugs in order to build more muscle mass or get leaner. They entirely rely on lifting heavy weights, consuming a healthy diet and getting plenty of rest.
Natural bodybuilders may not be able to put on as much muscle mass as steroid users but they build muscles that are long lasting and sustainable.
Besides building muscles that last, they have a better overall health and faster metabolism.
It reduces blood pressure, increases bone density and keeps cholesterol levels under control. It improves your metabolism, reduces your fat percentage and is a great stress buster.

Steroid Bodybuilding

These builders use Anabolic-androgenic steroids. These drugs are a synthetic form of testosterone (the male hormone), are injected into the body for quick benefits but are illegal in most competitions.
Steroids may give you the pump to train at a higher level than you could possibly do naturally. Your recovery rate would be faster, you would be able to train for longer and build more muscle mass but all of this comes with several side effects and are potentially dangerous, in the long run!
Some of the serious side-effects of taking steroids for bodybuilding include:
- Hormonal Imbalances – Suppressed Testosterone Production
- Infertility, low libido, testicular atrophy, Gynecomastia (breast tissue growth in a man)
- Accelerated Hair loss
- Skin issues – Acne/Oily Skin
- Increased heart rate
- Increased LDL Cholesterol, Hypertension, Increased risk of Stroke/Heart attack
- Liver Toxicity
- Kidney Damage, Fluid retention
- Mental Health Issues, Insomnia, Mood Swings
- Increased risk of premature DEATH.

Which is Better?

After reading the potential side effects of steroids, I’m sure you understand why going the natural way is the better choice! If you are looking to improve your appearance and increase overall health without any negative side effects, then you should stick to natural bodybuilding.

The best way to stay healthy and maintain a muscular body for long is finding ways to increase the natural testosterone production rather than counting on steroids that have dangerous health risks and eventually lose your muscles. If you are willing to train hard, have a proper plan, you will surely achieve your goal without any artificial/synthetic drug support. So, just set your goal and go after it!

To learn more about the natural ways to increase testosterone levels and bodybuilding, check out Healthy Reads or consult a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

August 5, 2024 By Palak Mittal Leave a Comment

8 Incredible Health Benefits Of Surya Namaskar

Surya Namaskar literally means Salutations to the Sun. It is a combination of 12 yoga asanas, where the body, mind, and soul are brought into complete synchrony. They are done in sets, some do 12, some 15, while some 30, depending on their endurance. Scientifically too, there are multiple benefits of Surya Namaskar. Let’s explore them in detail!

The Benefits of Surya Namaskar

Stretching and flexibility: The 12 asanas which are part of the Surya Namaskar ensure that every part of the body is exercised. The flexibility that comes with it needs to be experienced to be believed. This is extremely beneficial for the bones, joints, and ligaments of the entire body and spine.
Improves internal organ functioning: The various stretches increase blood flow to the organs and improve their functioning. The result is a better functioning digestive system and kidneys, which help in better absorption of nutrients from food and thorough elimination of metabolic waste. Detox happens naturally, with the release of trapped gasses and improved enzyme secretion.
Weight loss: One of the best-proven ways to lose weight is to do Surya Namaskar on a daily basis. It is a perfect workout involving the complete body and is great for losing weight around the belly. It also is proven to improve the thyroid gland functioning, which plays a significant role in metabolism.
Bone health: Traditionally, it is done during the early morning hours, at sunrise, which ensures the body gets the required amount of Vitamin D. This is essential for good bone health.
Stress buster: Stress release happens in multiple ways. Deep focused breathing is one of them. While performing the asanas, control over breathing is very essential and so, stress control is ensured. Various muscles and bones get tense with stress, and thorough stretching helps relieve the stress buildup. The mind is also calm during the workout, and so stress relief is further enhanced.
Relief from insomnia: People who are not able to sleep should perform Surya Namaskar on a regular basis. Both stress relief and the perfect workout ensure good sleep.
Helpful in menstrual cycles: Women who have cramps during their menstrual cycles have shown very good improvement with the inclusion of this exercise. It is also shown to benefit people with irregular menstruation thanks to the improved blood circulation. Pregnant women performing Surya Namaskar are more likely to have a normal delivery.
Glowing Skin: With the release of toxins and stress, glowing skin is a natural affair!

We hope these 8 benefits of Surya Namaskar urge you to make it a part of your daily routine. For more on how yoga can help you lead a healthy and fulfilling life, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

July 29, 2024 By Dr Ashwin Nanda 2 Comments

Tension or HYPERTENSION

I can’t count how many times in my 12 years of medical practice, a patient with just a headache has eventually been diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension). Whenever a patient complains of headache, I always make it a point to check their blood pressure (BP) as it is a very common symptom of fluctuating BP which usually presents around the temples but can also be on the back of the head (occipital region).

Do we know what’s blood pressure?

The pressure exerted by the column of blood flowing in the arteries once it has been pumped by the heart is called the systolic (higher value) blood pressure. Diastolic (lower value) BP is the resistance in the arteries which is always present due to the elastic tone of the arteries. A blood pressure of up to 120/80 is considered normal. Readings from 130/90 to 140/90 are the pre-hypertensive stage, and above 140/90 is considered hypertension. If three readings on separate days are high, then the person is diagnosed with high BP.

If I have to look for, then the following symptoms should raise the suspicion of high blood pressure:

Headache
Feeling of tiredness.
Difficulty in breathing
Heaviness in the eyes / blurred vision.
Irritability
In rare cases it may directly present as a complication of prolonged high BP like heart attack or hemorrhagic stroke.

High BP is a very common issue in adults over 50 years of age and is increasingly being diagnosed in younger age groups due to bad lifestyle choices such as not getting adequate sleep on a regular basis, eating high salt content food, smoking, being overweight due to lack of exercise, and eating junk food in excess. Extremely high stress levels arising from chaotic traffic in metros to financial strain and challenging deadlines set at workplace also contribute to high BP. Rarely, BP can be high due to secondary causes like thyroid disorders and narrowing of blood supply to the kidneys (Renal Artery Stenosis).

Why is it important to maintain your BP in the normal range?

Constantly high BP starts damaging the internal lining of blood vessels and gradually affects the brain, kidneys, and eyes, causing stroke, renal failure and hypertensive retinopathy respectively. All complications can be averted by controlling the BP.

How can one manage High BP?

Since lifestyle choices are the single most significant factor in controlling BP without medication, I will emphasize on them.

Sleep: Regularly sleeping by 11 pm and waking up around 6 or 7 am is a habit I can’t emphasize enough. Following the circadian rhythm (body clock) is an easy way to avoid raised BP.
Diet: Restrict salty foods such as chips, salted nuts, pickles, processed sauces, and dips.
Exercise: Regular cardio exercise goes the longest way in keeping the heart healthy and preventing high BP. 45 minutes of brisk walking, 30 minutes of swimming or cycling, or an aerobics session of 30 minutes suffice.
Weight reduction: It is essential for anyone with obesity and hypertension. The target should be 1 -2 kgs weight loss every month till BMI (body mass index) is 25.
Stress Management: Deep breathing or meditation helps negate mental stress. I strongly advise people to set realistic goals in personal and professional realms to avoid stress since unrealistic goals make life miserable.
Social Life: Having a healthy social life is also necessary.

If the above non-pharmacological measures do not reduce BP at least in 6 months, one needs to consult a physician and explore the medication option. If the cause of hypertension is secondary (thyroid and renal artery stenosis), then treatment of the cause helps in correcting the raised BP.

Even the word hyperTENSION (high BP) has TENSION in it, so reduce Stress and start making your heart healthy today!

We hope this article helps you. For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce

June 26, 2024 By Trupti Hingad 10 Comments

Urine Colour – Can be a good indicator of health

In my previous blog, I discussed how your poop describes your health status. In this blog, I shall tell you how your pee says a lot about your health.

In a day, we all visit the bathroom many times to pee, but seldom does it cross our mind to check our pee colour before we flush it out of sight.

Urine, or pee, is the body’s way of expelling waste products in a liquid form, mainly composed of water, salt, and chemicals called urea and uric acid.

The kidney creates urine by flushing out toxins and other bad substances from the blood. Various factors such as medications, food, and illness can affect urine colour or odour.When there is a malfunction, the urine may contain clues to the problem. The colour of the urine can be a helpful indicator.

Ideally, the colour of urine should be pale yellow, indicating you are well hydrated. The pale yellow colour is due to a pigment produced by the body called – UROCHROME and UROBILIN.

Let’s understand how the colour of the urine describes your health. There are three main causes for abnormal urine colour

Food that you eat
Drugs or Medication that you take
Health Issues

What does the colour of Urine Indicate?

Transparent: If the pee colour is completely clear, its sign of over hydration. Sometimes excess hydration may lead to dilution of salts in the body.

Brown colour: Shades of brown in your urine may indicate dehydration. It can also signal liver disease, where bile salts that should be processed and eliminated through stool end up in the urine.

Note: If you eat a lot of aloe, fava beans, or rhubarb, these foods can also turn your urine brown.

Red colour: Foods like beets and blackberries can cause red urine. If the red color persists, it could be a sign of blood in the urine, which may be due to kidney disease, urinary tract infections (UTI), or cancers. In such cases, consult a doctor immediately.

Blue or Green colour: Consumption of asparagus can lead to green urine. Certain medications, genetic diseases, and UTIs can also cause blue or green urine.

Orange: An orange color may be due to medications such as high-dose vitamin B2, the UTI drug phenazopyridine, or the antibiotic isoniazid.

Dark yellow: Dark yellow urine indicates significant dehydration. It can also be linked to high intake of B vitamins, especially B12, resulting in this dramatic hue change.

Cloudy or milky: Cloudy or milky urine most often indicates the presence of white blood cells, suggesting an infection.

Bubbles/frothy urine: Excessive bubbles or frothing that occurs every time you urinate can indicate an excess of protein in your urine.

Does your urine smell?

Pee doesn’t usually have a strong smell. However, some foods, especially asparagus, contain a smelly sulfur compound that can change the odor. Vitamin B-6 supplements can also affect the smell. When you’re dehydrated and your pee gets very concentrated, it can smell strongly of ammonia. A strong ammonia smell may indicate a UTI, and a sweet smell could be a sign of excess sugar and diabetes.

How often should you urinate?

It varies for everyone, but normally people need to empty their bladder up to 8 times a day. If you suddenly need to pee more often than usual, it could be a sign of a health problem such as a UTI, diabetes, an enlarged prostate in men, vaginitis in women, or interstitial cystitis.

Urine is something that most of us must take a look and prevent any conditions by prevailing. By understanding what your urine color indicates, you can take steps to maintain your health and seek medical advice when necessary.

Keep yourself well hydrated and stay healthy!!

We hope this article helps you. Understanding the color and characteristics of your urine can provide valuable insights into your health. By paying attention to these signs, you can take proactive steps to maintain your well-being. Keep yourself well-hydrated and consult a healthcare professional if you notice any unusual changes in your urine or speak to a certified expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

#BeTheForce