Search Results for: detox

June 22, 2021 By Shikha Singh 12 Comments

How To Build Immunity To Safeguard Against COVID & Other Monsoon Illnesses

COVID-19 should not be considered as the only disease that will attack our body during monsoon. You can be susceptible to other monsoon illnesses such as vector borne ones like dengue, malaria, seasonal influenza (H1N1) and Chikungunya. You need to understand that not all fever is COVID-related. It could also be Typhoid, Jaundice, Malaria or Common Cold. While these deadly diseases are all around us, the only best measure to safeguard ourselves is “Immunity”.

Tips To Build Immunity & Safeguard Against COVID & Other Monsoon Illnesses

We are well aware of the symptoms of common diseases and everything should not be related to COVID-19. This constant fear will not let us differentiate between other diseases. Here are some points you can look at to manage monsoon illnesses.

Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face. Any infection, be it viral, bacterial or fungal, might be contagious. Maintaining self-hygiene is important.
Take enough morning sunlight: Between 7am to 11am suits the best as UV rays are not very harsh at this time.
Avoid oily and greasy food: We tend to eat stuff like pakodas and fried items during monsoon. Instead, choose healthy options like hot soup, green tea, ginger tea with popcorn and roasted lotus seeds.
Good sleep: At least 7-8 hours of undisturbed sleep to rejuvenate our body.
Exercise regularly: Minimum of 15 mins of exercise and daily walks to be incorporated in routine.
Load up on antioxidants: Eat well washed bright coloured yellow and orange fruits and green leafy vegetables, as they are rich in antioxidants.
Flush your system well with water: A minimum of 2.5-3L of water is a must. Be it in any form like coconut, lime, infused with fruits or spices, green tea and concoctions.
Strengthen your gut: With pre and probiotics, like curd, pickles, fermented foods and kimchi.
Increase protein intake: To prepare your body and avoid weaknesses.
Respect Indian spices: Spices are rich in minerals and antioxidant properties. They help flush sinus infections too!
Detox your body: With fasting, which gives rest to our digestive system to improve the performance of other organs. This should be under supervision if diabetic or indicative of other comorbidities.

You should be fine as long as you follow the above 11 pointers. If you show any symptoms, it’s best to consult with your doctor before panicking. Certain illnesses like cold, fever and diarrhoea are common during the monsoon. Check with an expert and avoid self-medication. It would be wise to check your blood oxygen levels (SpO2) from time to time as well. You can use the GOQii Smart Vital that has sensors to detect body temperature, SpO2, blood pressure and heart rate.

We hope this article helps you. If you find these tips useful, let us know in the comments below! For more on managing COVID, you can check out Healthy Reads or tune in to classes by experts on GOQii Play.

To get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

#BeTheForce

June 12, 2021 By GOQii 2 Comments

“I Will Be With GOQii Lifelong!” – Rabin Talukdar On His Health Journey

We’ve always advocated that making small, manageable lifestyle changes can lead to good health in the long run. Multiple health issues often stem from unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity and sleep. Managing these effectively can help you a lot! Here’s an interesting journey of our Player Rabin Talukdar who managed several lifestyle diseases by making a positive lifestyle change.

Life Before GOQii

Currently at the age of 40, Rabin Talukdar resides in Assam. He says that his health issues began organizing a Durga Puja celebration during 2019. His meal timings were off and he found himself munching on unhealthy food all the time. His stress was high and he began experiencing a burning sensation in his chest, dizziness and lack of sleep. Soon after, he consulted with a doctor for multiple issues like hyperacidity, fatty liver and high blood pressure. His doctor said that along with medication, lifestyle modification is what will give him faster relief and suggested he join GOQii.

Making a Lifestyle Change

Rabin Talukdar began his journey under the guidance of Coach Trupti Pandya and shared all his reports with her. After carefully examining his reports, she assured him that he can start off with small changes such as detox water, avoiding maida and other processed foods while eating more vegetables in the form of salads and curries. He started with ACV for 3 months which also helped him reduce weight. He began walking on the treadmill for 20 mins along with yoga and pranayama for 20 mins a day. He now finds himself involuntarily setting aside time for physical activity everyday no matter how busy his work schedule is.

Recovering from COVID-19

In 2020, he was infected with COVID-19 and was admitted for 10 days. Though he experienced no major symptoms, he felt extremely weak and his BP was fluctuating. He returned home and still felt too weak to move around the house. He says his coach helped him a lot with diet tips on how to recover slowly and regain his strength. She asked him to include nuts, dates, peanut butter, add multigrain and millets in his meals. She even made him consume turmeric milk which was something he had always detested. She also sent him inspirational messages everyday which helped him stay positive. His coach guided him through every step like when to start walking, how much to walk in a day and constantly advised him not to strain himself and rest as much as possible.

As a result of all the above lifestyle changes, Rabin’s acidity is completely under control and he doesn’t have to take medicines anymore. His weight has also reduced by 4kg in the last one year. He says, “Thanks to GOQii, I stopped all medicines. I am so happy with my coach that I have renewed my subscription for another 12 months. I will be with GOQii lifelong. In fact, the whole of India needs GOQii, especially during this time when people are getting infected and dying all around. Only a healthy body can fight these infections and my GOQii Coach helped me realize that.”

What Does Coach Trupti Have To Say About Rabin Talukdar

Player Rabin has always been very determined towards his health goal, which was to target weight loss in a healthier way and control his medical conditions. He had high BP: 140-90, Fatty liver: Grade 1, borderline high Creatinine: 2 & LOW (BUN) urea: 14, Low Vit. D: 5, dizziness while working out, gastric trouble, and severe acidity with chest burning sensation. He was taking 3 tablets a day. His stress levels were high due to his concern regarding his medical condition and disturbed quality of sleep with only 2 hrs sound sleep. He was 5kg overweight.

His sincerity, determination, dedication, and consistency helped him achieve his goals in a healthy manner and till March 2021, his overall medical condition is resolved and his medication has stopped as well.

His Vit. D is 24 now, BP is 120- 80, borderline creatinine to 1.3mg/dL normal range and urea issues now 17. The previous issue for fatty liver is resolved completely. He only takes Vit. E tablet and his liver ranges are normal. He lost 4kg and 1 inch waist size with zero gastric trouble and his stress levels are under control with 7 hrs sound sleep now. Energy levels have improved 80% and no dizziness after workouts!

He honestly updated and acknowledged me about his condition and progress logs from time to time… and the result is a big victory in a short span of time.

Does Rabin’s story inspire you to make a lifestyle change? Then download the GOQii App and subscribe to personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

To read more inspirational stories, check out Healthy Reads.

#BeTheForce

June 4, 2021 By Seema Mukund 16 Comments

How Cardamom Can Help You Fight Hypertension!

Cardamom, also known as the ‘Queen of Spices’, is a strong aromatic spice used in some traditional recipes in India and also some exotic dishes. This is not only used in cooking, but also has therapeutic value. This green pod is commonly grown in the mountainous regions of India and some countries in Asia. It usually comes in 2 varieties, Green (used for sweets and desserts) and Black (used for preparing garam masala). This minty, earthy spice is commonly known as ‘Elaichi” in North India and ‘Yelakki” in South India.

It is consumed in the following forms:

As pods with seeds inside
Ground powder
Essential Oil
Capsule (herbal supplement)

How Does Cardamom Help Fight Against Hypertension?

There are many studies conducted so far that have suggested that Cardamom supplementation will help in controlling blood pressure.

Its natural phytonutrients have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It increases the dilation of blood vessels and helps in easy flow of blood through the arteries, which in turn increases blood circulation and helps control blood pressure.
Another probable reason is that it acts like a natural diuretic, a substance that promotes urination to remove water that builds up in the body and controls the sodium and potassium levels that elevate the blood pressure.
Cardamom essential oil is magical! It has a refreshing and soothing fragrance that helps elevate mood. It reduces anxiety and depression and produces a calming effect. This reduces stress induced blood pressure.
It is also rich in fiber, helps to control cholesterol and in turn, controls blood pressure.

How Can You Incorporate It In Your Food?

Cardamom is very versatile. It is usually added in teas, milk, milkshakes, deserts and is also used as a mouth freshener. The calorific content, fat percentage of the foods should be taken into account while including it for reducing blood pressure. (You may consult your GOQii Coach for it).

Some other methods that can be used to control blood pressure using Cardamom are:

Add a pinch of cardamom in 1 glass of warm water and have in the morning
Crush 1 cardamom and brew with Tea/ coffee
Add ¼ tsp of cardamom powder to breakfast cereals like oats and muesli
Sprinkle fresh cardamom powder on top of salads
Chew on 1 Elaichi seeds for 5 minutes after every meal
You can mix cardamom powder with 1 cup curd/buttermilk and have it along with your meal or as a mid-morning snack
As a natural detox: ½ lemon + ½ tsp cardamom powder + salt in 1 glass water
Cardamom oil is used in aromatherapy: As a diffuser, in a massage blend oil

We hope this article helps you! For more on nutrition and controlling lifestyle diseases, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play. To get these nutrition tips directly from your GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

#BeTheForce

May 27, 2021 By Dr. Naina Sudarshan 3 Comments

Healthy Ayurvedic Concoctions To Boost Immunity

Ayurveda, the “Science of Life” is an invaluable treasure to India from our ancestors which is trending even in the second wave of the current pandemic. According to classical texts, the aim of Ayurveda is “To maintain the health of a healthy person through prevention and to treat the health issues of a sick person”. Our body needs to maintain good metabolism and immunity to fight against foreign invaders like germs and other external disease-causing factors. So, it is critical for us to maintain and boost our immunity on a regular basis to maintain our health. Ayurvedic concoctions are the best and easy choice to make at home yourself and have it frequently.

Ayurvedic Concoctions can be basically made with dry herbs, or dry herb powders or some of the fresh herbs too. As the herbs are boiled in water, the water absorbs all the therapeutic properties from the herbs making it better for digestion and absorption into our body.

5 Varieties of Ayurvedic Concoctions For Immunity

1. Turmeric-Pepper Concoction

Ingredients:

Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
Black pepper Powder – ¼ tsp
Jeera – ¼ tsp
Water – 1 glass
Lemon – 1 tsp
Himalayan Pink salt/Sea salt/Rock salt – ¼ tsp

Method: Mix turmeric, pepper and jeera in water and boil it for 3-5 mins to bring it down to 1 cup of concoction. Add lemon and salt before you sip the warm concoction.

Benefits:

The Cucumin in Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and has an immune modulatory effect which enhances metabolism and boosts immunity.
Piperine in Black Pepper enhances the absorption of curcumin making it a good combination with Turmeric. It is a rich antioxidant that prevents cell damage, increases the absorption of essential nutrients like calcium and selenium, helps in easy digestion, and controls blood sugar levels.
Jeera is a great source of iron besides potassium, helps in building immune system
Lemon, high in Vitamin C can fight against bacterial and viral infections by enhancing immune system

2. Fenugreek-Coriander Concoction

Ingredients:

Fenugreek/Methi seeds – ½ tsp
Coriander/Dhaniya seeds – ½ tsp
Water – 1.5 glass
Milk (Optional) – ¼ cup
Jaggery – ¼ – ½ tsp

Method: Soak Methi and Coriander seeds in 1.5 glass of water for 30-60 mins. Boil it for 5-8 mins to reduce it to ¾ cup. You can add milk at this stage and boil it for 1 more minute. Turn the heat off and add jaggery just before drinking.

Benefits:

Methi/Fenugreek may help to reduce the risk of bacterial fungal and viral infections. It generates heat in the body and is excellent for Kapha dominant people with weaker immunity.
Coriander has powerful antioxidants that prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals.
Jaggery is a natural sweetener rich in iron, zinc, and selenium.

3. Pomegranate Peel Concoction

Ingredients:

Peel of half pomegranate
Raw Honey – 1 tsp
Water – 1 glass

Method: Boil a glass of water. Put the pomegranate peel in the boiling water. Let it boil for 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and cover it for 15 minutes. Add 1 tsp of honey to the concoction, before you sip it warm.

Benefits:

Pomegranate peels help in restoring overall health. It acts as a liver detox. It soothes sore throat and stomach infections. It helps in dental hygiene and promotes healthy cell growth.
Pomegranate peels can be dried and stored as a powder or peel to use it for a long time.
Raw honey has healing, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Phytonutrients in honey can boost the immunity.

4. Licorice-Ginger Concoction

Ingredients:

1 inch Licorice root or ¼ tsp of licorice powder
2-3 slices of ginger or ¼ tsp of ginger powder / ginger paste
Water – 1 glass
Raw Honey – 1 tsp

Method: Heat 1 glass of water. Add ginger powder and licorice powder. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Add 1 tsp of honey before you enjoy this concoction.

Benefits:

Licorice Cleanses respiratory system as it is a strong decongestant, a natural remedy for cold, cough, sore throat, and flu
Ginger is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory in nature and helpful in reducing cough. It also enhances the immune response and is good for digestion

5. Onion-Cinnamon Concoction

Ingredients:

Onion – 1 small (diced)
Cardamom Powder – ½ tsp
Cinnamon Powder – ¼ tsp
Water – 2 cups
Jaggery – 1 tsp

Method: Bring 2 glasses of water to boil, add all the ingredients and bring it down to 1 cup of liquid. Simmer for 15 mins and sip it while it is warm.

Benefits:

Onions are rich in flavonoids that help in fighting infections and inflammation. It is extremely useful in strengthening the capillary walls of the lungs and prevents the damage of bronchial tubes in any respiratory infections
Cardamom and Cinnamon are anti-inflammatory and effective remedies for cold, and flu as they impart warmth to our body. Both spices are among the ingredients in most commonly used Ayurvedic cough medicines like Sitopaladi churna and Thaleesapatradi churna.

These Ayurvedic Concoctions can be consumed once at any time of the day for about 2-3 days in a week preferably with a gap to maintain the metabolism and boost the immunity. Children under the age of 12 can have ½ a cup of any of these. People with diabetes should be cautious about the amount of honey and jaggery that they add – lesser the better. These are just preventive remedies and effective with mild symptoms of flu or cough and cold. Medical advice is always suggested with moderate to severe symptoms.

Before trying any of these, do consult your doctor in case you have any allergies. Try these Ayurvedic Concoctions at home and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more Ayurvedic Remedies or immunity boosting tips, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to GOQii Play.

To get these tips directly from your GOQii Coach, subscribe to personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/wssu

Stay home, stay safe, boost your immunity and #BeTheForce