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January 9, 2019 By Arooshi Garg 2 Comments

12 steps to being your own health detective!

“The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease”—Thomas Edison

Gaining true, lasting health is all about identifying and healing from the root cause. You can do it, I can do it, and anybody can do it.

Today’s changing lifestyle, ever-increasing pollution, adulterated foods and rising stress is silently harming our life in various unknown ways. If you can understand your body and how it works, how the disease manifests and where it begins, then you can draw a road map towards becoming your own health detective (and your family’s health detective) so that you empower yourself to live a thriving life.

Here are some pointers that can help you be your own Health Detective!

Keep a check on your sleep

If you feel stressed out, sleepy-groggy headed, lack of concentration even in your daily chores and work, this is a clear indication that you are not getting enough sleep!

But if even after 6-8 hours of adequate sleep, you get up all weak, lost and tired, then that’s a red signal. Stop!! And analyze what’s causing that.

Full body check up

Get a full body check-up done every 6 months. Stand in front of a mirror and check if you have any lumps, or uneven skin tone. If any mole like thing appears bigger than 5mm, or pinkish-brownish discolouration, it’s an indication to fix up an appointment with a dermatologist.

Excessive hair-fall is also a symptom

Most of the people see hair-fall as a result of the seasonal change, change of shampoo or oil. Very few know that it could also be an indication of a disease/or a medical condition. Examine your comb regularly. If there is hair-fall appearing more than normal, it could be due to underlying deficiency of iron or thyroid. Also, follow a good hair-care and wash routine.

A window of light through your eyes!

Lack of sleep can cause puffiness under the eyes. However, this puffiness goes away with proper sleep and rest. If puffiness appears for a long duration it could be due to water retention, kidney issues, indigestion. Do not ignore this and see a doctor.

Sudden increase or decrease in weight

A wave of happiness that comes due to weight loss can become a cause for stress when the reasons for weight loss are not right. It could be due to weight cycling, or YO-YO effect that usually occurs due to extreme workouts, or diet restrictions, crash diets. If not because of these, a sudden increase or decrease could also be happening because of diabetes, thyroid etc.

Tired all the time!

It’s normal to feel tired and all sleepy after a long day at work or a long journey. But, if you are feeling lethargic all the time it could be due to an underactive thyroid, which also increases the chances of developing high blood pressure and heart problems. Consult a doctor immediately and get your blood tests done.

Frequent headaches

A headache can happen due to stress, tension, working continuously in front of screens and inadequate sleep. This generally goes away with rest or painkillers. But, if even after this

A headache persists it could be due to a migraine, cervical, or spondylitis. Resort to physiotherapy, good posture and regular workout.

Take care of your feet too

Most of the people don’t pay much attention to feet, because of which they are unable to notice any visible changes happening there. If nails have white spots or have become yellowish in colour, it might be indicative of calcium or haemoglobin deficiency respectively. Persistently cracked heels may be because of low water intake, and swollen feet indicate the onset of diabetes. If you feel that your feet remain excessively cold, a thyroid test must be done with doctor’s advice.

Teeth and gums

Bacteria in the mouth are major causes of pain and infection in gums as well as heart-related and lung-related infection also. Conditions related to teeth and gums can also become a reason for pain in shoulders and back. Take extra care to maintain oral hygiene and dental care. A dental check-up every 6 months is advisable.

Don’t ignore snoring

Snoring in our society isn’t considered abnormal. One snores when there is blockage or difficulty in breathing. Snoring adds to excessive pressure on lungs, and it could also happen because of high blood pressure, which could, in turn, lead to heart ailments. If anyone is suffering from snoring for a long period of time, take responsibility and get their sleep study test and dynamic MRI done with doctor’s advice.

Blood pressure monitoring

People who have high/low B.P issue should always keep a digital monitor at home. Get your blood pressure checked at regular intervals or if you notice any change in the body. Remember normal blood pressure should be 120/80mm Hg.

Cardiovascular check up

People who have crossed 40 yrs, people having heart diseases or high blood pressure should get a complete cardiovascular check-up done. This helps in screening and treatment of risks like heart attack, stroke etc in the preliminary stage. Get blood cholesterol levels also checked once every year.

Points to remember

Becoming a health detective doesn’t mean that you become an expert or a doctor. Being a health detective only means to be alert and responsible for observing and noticing any changes that happen in your body.
Never take any medicine or administer drugs to others without a prescription or doctor’s advice.
Today, most people treat themselves by looking up their symptoms on the internet. This is called as ‘Cyberchondria’. Please do not do this, as you can go wrong with your diagnosis.
Do not blindly believe any information given on the web, as not all of this information is trustworthy.

Be your own health detective …be the force

November 12, 2018 By Trupti Hingad 2 Comments

The Happy Hormone Journal

Stress is a very common component of our everyday life. Staying happy amidst our busy schedules has become almost impossible. Everybody wants to be happy and we often find ourselves pursuing this emotion in various ways. Did you know that these emotions are the result of chemical reactions in the brain? The human body has 4 natural built-in mood-enhancing chemicals, which help combat stress and relieve pain keeping you happy and positive.

What are happy hormones? Why do they make us happy? How do we get more of these in our system?

The four happy hormones are Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphin (DOSE).

DOPAMINE: This is one of the chemical signals that pass information from one neuron to the next. Dopamine is released during pleasurable moments or situations and helps to regulate how pleasure is perceived and experienced. Dopamine is also responsible for our motivation, concentration, pleasure, bliss and euphoria.

How can you boost your Dopamine level:-

Limit your sugar intake: Although sugar is linked with raising dopamine levels, the “high” achieved is only temporary and is linked to a wide array or illnesses.
Limit caffeine intake: Yes, caffeine can also raise dopamine levels but studies show that increased caffeine intake can actually cause an increase in tolerance and can lead to lowered or even diminished dopamine release in the long run.
Connect with others: Human contact such as hugs from your kids, kisses from your spouse, or even simply shaking hands with a friend or colleague is enough to boost dopamine levels.
Meditate: Meditation and mindfulness helps the body relax through deep breathing and calming of the nervous system. This in turn helps with the release of dopamine.
Listen to music: Listening to the music you enjoy helps trigger our pleasure centre thereby releasing dopamine.

OXYTOCIN:

This hormone and neurotransmitter is best known for its role in breastfeeding and childbirth. It’s produced in the hypothalamus and females have been shown to have higher levels than males. Oxytocin has been linked to higher self- esteem, trust, optimism and can help lower stress and blood pressure.

How to boost Oxytocin:-

Cry: Suppressing ones emotions can lead to lower oxytocin levels which can cause stress as well as various physical issues within the body. We often hear that a good cry can help us heal both emotionally and physically. It’s true!
Give: This can be in the form of volunteering or simply making a generous donation. The act of giving and/or bonding with others can help increase oxytocin levels and make us feel good overall.
Physical Touch: Oxytocin helps to trigger the reward system in our brain when we are in healthy and loving relationships. It is also released during orgasms in both men and women.
Encouragement: Whether we are getting it, or giving it, words of encouragement go a long way in the release of oxytocin. Compliment and encourage one another at every chance you get!

SEROTONIN:

Do you feel imbalanced? Do you have depression, anxiety, hot flashes, night sweats, bipolar disorder, migraines, insomnia, PMS, or chronic pain? The cause of all these symptoms is a neurotransmitter imbalance.

Like dopamine, serotonin is also a neurotransmitter. While dopamine is responsible for our excitement and motivation, serotonin is responsible for calming us, suppressing pain, and regulating our mood and sleep cycles. This hormone is found mainly in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and the nervous system. Serotonin also controls appetite and reduces your sensitivity to pain.

How to boost Serotonin:-

1. Aroma massage: Regular body massages can help lower the stress hormone cortisol, and help increase both dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain/body.
Positive affirmations: Regularly reciting positive affirmations can help almost re-wire your thinking. Numerous studies show the effects of positive thinking can help with serotonin synthesis while lowering cortisol levels.
Good vitamin B Intake: Vitamin B6 and B12 are directly linked to lowered levels of depression and when taken regularly, can help boost overall feelings of well-being. The richest sources of vitamin B6 include fish, beef liver and other organ meats, potatoes and other starchy vegetables, and fruit (excluding citrus). Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products.
Gardening: This one may seem strange but studies show that microbes contained in the soil can lead to a rise in serotonin simply through inhalation.

ENDORPHINS:

These are chemical compounds which are produced in the human body and interact with receptors in the brain. They help to reduce pain, increase focus, and improve your overall mood. It also helps boost energy, confidence, and makes all of the daily stressors of life much easier to cope with. Today, we produce endorphins when exercising our anaerobic zones. Anaerobic exercise helps us to cope with chronic pains by activating our body’s natural painkillers. Hence exercise is one of the many ways of boosting Endorphins.

How to boost Endorphin:-

Laughter: Not only does laughter boost serotonin levels but also helps to increase pain tolerance levels.
Healthy eating habits: Increase your consumption of protein, healthy fats, and plant based food while limiting alcohol and caffeine. If you supply the necessary amino acids the body will restore balance and you will have improved health and moods.
3. Sunshine exposure: Regularly spending time outdoors in the sun can regulate the release of endorphins. The best time is to expose the body to the Sun is from 10am to 1pm.
Aromatherapy: Soothing scents such as those found in essential oils can help with the release of endorphins in the body.

So keep smiling, stay positive and keep these hormones levels at the peak!

September 1, 2018 By CHARMI GOGRI 5 Comments

Healing power of herbs and spices – Part 1

Cooking without spices is like having a dance party without music; the two just go together. These power packed tiny ingredients have a lot to offer apart from flavoring. Yes! I’ve heard plenty of stories of people who have healed various health problems through food. As Hippocrates, the famous Greek Physician once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” This makes it clear that people are aware that food can be used to treat or prevent health conditions. Most of us in the field of holistic medicine could spend hours discussing different approaches to food and diet. However, I think that we often overlook the power of a diet in terms of the abundance of benefits spices and herbs present in the food have to offer.

The history of spices is simply fascinating. It’s testimony to the fact that wars were fought over spices and kingdoms were lost over them. Spices were recognized as powerful medicine way back in 2600 BC. These herbs and spines not only add interest to our plates and palates, but they promote health in incredibly powerful ways. Ideally, the leaf of a plant used in cooking may be referred to as herb, and any other part of the plant, often dried, as a spice.

Spices can be the buds (eg. cloves), bark (eg.cinnamon), roots (eg. ginger), berries (eg. peppercorns), aromatic seeds (eg. cumin), and even the stigma of a flower (eg. saffron). Many of the aromatic seeds known as spices are actually gathered from plants when they have finished flowering. A familiar example would be coriander, with the leaves being referred to as herb, and the dried seeds as a spice.

Below is an extensive list of spices and herbs (Described in alphabetic order; Doesn’t mean it is in the order of their importance/benefits) that are worth adding to your culinary list owing to their key health benefits. We have split the blog into two parts for easy reading.

Amchur: Amchoor or Amchur, also referred to as mango powder, is a fruity spice powder made from dried unripe green mangoes and is used as a citrusy seasoning. Mostly it’s used in Chutneys and Indian curries. Due to its high iron content it is popularly recommended for Anemia and Pregnant women. Also, it’s believed to reduce acidity and improve digestion.

Asafoetida: The lingering odour of Asafoetida has given it many names like Devil’s dung and stinking gum. It’s commonly known as Hing in India. It’s warm in nature and that probably explains the reason it helps to increase the digestive enzymes. It helps reduce flatulence, digestive disorders, prevents constipation and is an excellent laxative. A pinch of asafoetida can be taken with buttermilk/water to reduce flatulence and cleanse the digestive system. Also, It’s believed to relieve menstrual pain. The active component of Asafoetida, coumarins can thin the blood and is believed to be anti-coagulant. Also, helps lower blood pressure.

Black peppercorns : Also known as Kali Mirch. Piperine is the active ingredient in black pepper, and it has been shown to jumpstart digestion, prevent certain cancers and heart disease, lower blood pressure, and prevent arthritis. Cases show that it has cholesterol lowering properties and help in cardiac function recovery especially after a heart attack. Overnight soaked peppercorns if consumed next day while having breakfast relieves migraine problem for most of them. The outer layer of peppercorn assists in the breakdown of fat cells. Therefore, peppery foods are a good way to help you shed weight The antibacterial property of black pepper helps to fight against infections and insect bites.

Basil: Also known as Tulsi in India and considered auspicious has medicinal usage extending from reducing ill effects of radiotherapy of cancer to optimizing kidney function to keeping cough and fever at bay. This herb has lot to offer. The strong anti-bacterial properties of Basil are known from years and hence owing to this property, basil is valued for its anti inflammatory The active components i.e. eugenol and rosmarinic acid present in basil boosts production of serotonin and dopamine in brain. This could lead to sunnier mood in as little as 3 days. Basil also has a strengthening effect on kidney functioning. Consuming 5-6 leaves with water or crushing leaves to make juice and having with equal proportion of honey on a regular basis will improve overall kidney functioning and also aids in facilitating kidney stones through the urinary tract. Basil is a key ingredient in cough syrups and expectorants. Basil leaves can be used in the treatment of fever and common cold. Chewing some fresh basil leaves for relief from colds and flus is the best possible thing to treat naturally. Usually Smokers are prone for respiratory disorders and cancer. For both these, Tulsi is ideal. Having said that, care needs to be taken while handling this herb as the oils in basil are highly volatile, it is best to add the herb at the end of the cooking process, so it will retain its maximum essence and flavour !

Bay Leaf : Bay leaves popularly known as Tej Patta are one of the main ingredients added to the popular Indian spice mix i.e. Garam Masala. Bay leaves help strengthen immune system and ward off urinary tract infection. Bay leaves have a very strong effect on the gut health. It helps in stimulating urination as a diuretic, which decreases the toxicity of the body, but can also stimulate vomiting (as an emetic) when something toxic has been consumed.

Cardamom : Cardamom also known as Elaichi have aromatic and warming properties. They are believed to stimulate appetite and enhance digestion. It helps in stimulation and regular excretion of gastric juices. It helps in balancing these acids in cases of acidity, thus providing relief during heart burns. Those suffering from flatulence and gas gets a good relief when they chew cardamom after a meal. This helps those suffering from. Cardamom is also beneficial in relieving stomach cramps, hiccups, nausea, vomiting as well as constipation. Apart from health benefits, It is also valued for improving oral hygiene and eradicate fowl breathe.

Carom seeds : These tiny seeds are popularly known as Ajwain or bishop’s weed in Indian Market. Ajwain contains high levels of thymol, a compound, which aids the release of gastric juices from the stomach which makes Ajwain`excellent indigestion reliever. To add more, it helps to deal with flatulence, nausea and colicky pain in babies. Ajwain has properties that help reduce inflammation and soothes irritated nerves. Because of this, it acts a great remedy to stop hiccups

Cinnamon : Commonly known as Dalchini. Apart from its aroma and taste, the benefits of this spice can be attributed to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-clotting factor. Cinnamon is known for its role in the reduction of total and bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase in good cholesterol (HDL). It also helps improve insulin resistance and improves glucose tolerance in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, thereby making it useful in diabetes management. Consuming Cinnamon plus honey has many benefits one of which is that it increases body’s metabolism and also helps in relieving gas and acidity.

Clove: Clove or Laung is a pungent aromatic floral bud. The most prominent and common use of clove is alleviating symptoms of toothache and dental decay. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic components present in clove helps to reduce the swelling around an infected tooth and relieve pain. Plus, their antiseptic property will help fight the infection in the affected area and prevent it from spreading. Apart from this, Eugenol present in clove prevents clotting of blood and in purifying blood.

Cumin: This spice which is native to Middle-East Asian region is one of the best spices to use to prevent and relieve gas. It is of beneficial to women after childbirth to shrink the uterus and increase breast milk. Cumin seeds (Jeera) also contains high amount of melatonin, which when consumed with bananas increases the production of chemicals within the brain. This combination helps beat

To be continued

July 31, 2018 By Arooshi Garg 4 Comments

5 Breathing exercises for boosting immunity

pranayam-lead

Breathing exercises or “PRANAYAM’, the word is derived from ‘Prana‘ which stands for ‘life force’ and ‘Ayama‘ which means ‘to lengthen or to work on it’. Prana, in yogic terms, means the force within the body that is vital for the functioning of the body as well as its vitality. Breath is our vital source of energy. Did you know that we can throw out 80 per cent of the toxins from our body by breathing correctly? The key to healthy and happy living lies in right breathing. When we attend to our breath, it can heal us from within.

Our cells regenerate all the time, and cannot regenerate without oxygen. Breathing is the fastest and most efficient way for our bodies to get oxygen. Deep breathing helps our immune system regenerate cells in order to fight infection and any other ailments that affect us. Certain breathing exercises have been shown to greatly increase the efficiency of our immune system. The better the air quality and the deeper you breathe the more you can help your immune system work properly. Routinely practising deep breathing exercises can improve your overall immune system.

Benefits of Pranayama to Boost Immunity

Pranayama enhances and stimulates the immune system.
Improves function and strengthens cells, tissue, glands and organs.
Pranayama releases stress, anxiety and depression.
Removes heart blockages.
Cures heart problems.
Boosts overall health and cures many health issues.
Pranayama increases blood circulation.
Cure asthma, headache, Migraine, neurological problems, depression, gastric problems.

1. Cat and Cow breathing exercise:

Cat-Cow-Pose-in-Vinyasa

This is a great yoga sequence that helps to improve circulation and clear congestion in the bronchial region and sinuses.

Benefits of Cat and Cow breathing exercise:

It stimulates digestion and, through muscular contraction and extension, pumps blood and lymphatic fluid through the thoracic muscle groups.
It increases cardiovascular fitness and helps stimulate the kidneys while relieving stress from the neck and shoulder area, and extending the lumbar spine region.

How to do it:

Rest your arms and knees on the floor. On the inhale breath, lift and expand the front chest up and forward, elongate your throat, draw your shoulders back, and curve your middle spine downwards as you tuck in your tailbone.
On a strong exhale, tuck your chin to your throat, pull in your belly, and arch your spine upwards (like an angry cat), rolling your shoulders forward and down to compress the front chest.
Inhale to Cow Pose and exhale to Cat Pose with a fluid up-and-down, wave-like motion of the spine and torso. Repeat the cycle 5 times.

Kapal Bhati Pranayam:

kapal bhati

Kapal meaning skull, Bhati meaning shining and pranayama meaning breathing technique. It is a great breathing exercise and can improve bodily functions. This breathing exercise can remove 80% of the toxins in our body through the outgoing breath. Regular practice of Kapal Bhati Pranayama can help detoxify all the systems in our bod How to do Kapal Bhati Pranayama.

Benefits of Kapal Bhati:

Helps in increasing the metabolic rate,
Improves digestive functioning, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients,
Improves blood circulation and nervous system functioning.

How to do it:

Sit at a comfortable place with your spine straight. Place your hands on the knees with palms open to the sky.
Take a deep breath in. As you exhale, pull your stomach in. Pull your navel in back towards the spine. Do as much as you comfortably can. You may keep your right hand on the stomach to feel the abdominal muscles contract.
As you relax the navel and abdomen, the breath flows into your lungs automatically.
Take 15-20 such breaths to complete one round of Kapal Bhati Pranayama.
After completing the round, relax with your eyes closed
Do two more rounds of Kapal Bhati Pranayam.

3. Bee Breath (Bhramari Pranayam)

bee breathe

Bhramari Pranayama or the humming Bee Breath produces a sound similar to the humming of a bee. Bhramari comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Bramar’ which means a kind of black Indian bee. Bhramari pranayama has a soothing effect on the brain and calms the mind. Gives relief if you have a slight headache

Benefits of Bhramari pranayama (Bee Breath)

Helps mitigate migraines
Helps clear the nasal and ear canals
Clears the sinuses
Helps in Improving concentration and memory
Effective in reducing blood pressure

How to do it:

Sit in a peaceful place with your spine erect
Place your index fingers on the cartilage between your cheek and ear.
Take a deep breath in and as you breathe out, gently press the cartilage. You can keep the cartilage pressed or press it in and out with your fingers while making a loud humming sound like a bee
Breathe in again and continue the same pattern 4-5 times.

Precautions for doing Bhramari pranayama

Ensure that you are not putting your finger inside the ear but on the cartilage
Don’t press the cartilage too hard. Gently press and release with the finger
While making the humming sound, keep your mouth closed

Dog breathing Exercise

Dog Breathing cleanses and detoxifies the body while expelling the toxins out from deep inside your tissues. The sharp contracting movements while practising Dog Breathing strengthens the abdominal muscles.

Benefits of Dog breathing:

It beneficial in preventing fat deposition in the abdominal area,
Helps in improving the respiratory capacity and prevents the person from catching any respiratory disorder if practised regularly.

How to do it:

Sit in Easy Pose with your chin in and your chest out. Stick your tongue all the way out and keep it out as you rapidly breathe in and out through your mouth. This is called Dog Breath. Continue this breath for 3-5 minutes.
To finish, inhale, and hold your breath for 15 seconds and press the tongue against the upper palate. Exhale. Repeat this sequence two more times.
Beginners can start with 15- 20 seconds and gradually reach up to 1 and then up to 5 minutes.

Bhastrika Pranayama

bhastarika

It strengthens the immune power. Practice bhastrika pranayama for 10 minutes in the morning and evening on an empty stomach daily for one month.

Benefits of Bhastrika Pranayam

Helps reduce episodes of cold, cough and flu
Improves thyroid function and tonsils

How to do it:

Sit comfortably on the flat ground.
Take a deep breath through both nostrils and fill the lungs with air and then exhale with a hissing sound.
Inhale deeply and exhale completely.
Do this for 2 min to 5 minutes max

Precautions for Bhastrika Pranayama

Those suffering from lungs, heart problems and high blood pressure should practice slowly. High blood pressure patients should exhale through the mouth instead of the nose.