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Search Results for: heart health

July 25, 2016 By Luke Coutinho 3 Comments

Why eating too healthy is dangerous for your health

Fruit diets, fruit juice diets, banana and milk diets, high protein diets, chia seed infused water, salads, Vegan food, sugarless snacks, low-fat foods, organic foods, fortified foods, innumerable ranges of organic vitamins, supplements etc……

We have it all….We also have more obesity, more cancer, more diabetes, more depression, more mental decay, more medication, more vitamin deficiencies, more time spent with doctors and in hospitals.

In our endeavor to get healthy, we may actually be doing more harm than good, if we don’t understand the physiology of the human body and mind. Too much of a good thing is bad…..even food… Yes, fruits are extremely nutrient dense foods but, it does not mean we constantly eat them.
Protein is needed, it’s good for repair, tone, muscle, recovery but, it does not mean we need more and more of it.

Many fats may be bad, but it does not mean we stop eating fat completely. It’s a very common belief that to be healthy, we need to eat more and more healthy foods.

Pure Ghee on a fresh hot wheat roti? What’s’ worse, the ghee or the roti?

Most people say that Ghee, is a fat and fat causes cholesterol and high cholesterol causes heart attacks… which really isn’t’ the case in most people who have cardiac arrests or strokes. There are many other reasons. I would worry about the roti, the wheat, where has the wheat come from, is it GMO? How processed is it?

Our beliefs about healthy foods need to be balanced with the understanding of what our body really needs and how our body assimilates nutrients from the food we eat.

A fruit diet is not going to do anything but cleansing……

Too much protein intake is going to do more harm than just repair or muscle build. This is when good food turns bad. When we have too much of even a good thing, it ceases to be good, and can in fact cause harm. There is absolutely no doubt that fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and all things good, and that they also contain fibre, which prevents constipation and other gastric problems. But, too much fibre (for instance, when you eat platefuls of raw green leafy vegetables or salads like radish day in and out) can mess things up – big time. Excess fibre often causes bloating, abdominal cramps and gas right away.

In the long term, it can interfere with the absorption of minerals like iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, causing some serious deficiencies. Fruits also contain natural sugars, no harm in that but, too much is bad…your body only uses what it needs, the rest gets stored as fat or becomes waste and all waste is waste, whether it’s a fruit or a samosa. Waste is toxic.

Insane workouts or working out too much, I have a question for you, is it really working? are you really getting the desired body you have in mind? Or are you using exercise as a way of punishing your body because you ate too much?

It just doesn’t work, your body has a life, so does your bones, your muscles and joints and over exercising will decrease your bone density, deplete vitamins from your body , raise cortisol levels, decrease immunity and leave you with ‘STUBBORN BELLY FAT AND LOVE HANDLES’…

The body needs not more than 30 minutes of smart exercise to stay health and if your fat and you are trying to lose weight, more exercise DOES NOT mean more exercise…it means looking smartly at your food choices, your alcohol intake, your sleep, your stress levels, your sugar and the consistency of your exercise program.

Does your choice of exercise suit your body or are you just following the latest fad ?

The body needs protein to repair and build muscle, but eating excessive amounts won’t do the job better. In fact, in a diet where the protein intake goes beyond 30 per cent of the daily caloric intake, a build-up of toxic ketones in the body may occur, causing the kidneys to go into overdrive in an attempt to flush them out. This may lead to a significant loss of water and calcium from the body, causing dehydration and bone loss.

Symptoms include a feeling of weakness and dizziness, dry skin, loss of hair, low appetite, nausea and bad breath. In the long term, this may strain the kidneys, stretch out the liver and put stress on your heart too.

Weight loss efforts go bust too, as excess protein is converted into fat. Another problem is that while making protein into carbs or fat, the body converts the protein’s nitrogen into urea or uric acid. In large amounts, this can mess up your kidneys, lead to gout (a condition that causes your joints to become inflamed, tender and painful to move) and cause gallstones and kidney stones.”

Be super careful with protein shakes and bars. The body can process only about four to five grams of protein per hour, so the 50 grams you got from that protein bar or shake will take about 10 hours to digest and absorb. Also, when you replace your meals with protein shakes, you run the risk of missing the vitamins and nutrients you get from real food.

The Japanese eat soya and stay healthy and live longer. It is high in protein and has zero cholesterol. So what could be wrong with that?

That’s true, but, what is also true is that most Japanese eat only about 8 to 10g of soy protein a day, and even soya causes problems when eaten in excess. If overeaten, it may promote cancer, dementia, reproductive abnormalities, and osteoporosis and thyroid disorders. Increased consumption could also increase a woman’s total estrogen level, which is a risk factor for breast cancer.

For men, excessive soya can raise the risk of infertility, physical changes, and hormonal havoc.

The body will only use what it needs…anything in excess becomes fat or waste and both are detrimental to your mind-body health.

July 12, 2016 By Luke Coutinho 1 Comment

This Molecule – ‘Nitric Oxide’ can change your health

Did you know there is a molecule our Body produces which is called ‘Nitric oxide’ (NO)?

Well then let me enlighten you about NO. This is a molecule that our body produces to help its 50 trillion cells communicate with each other by transmitting signals throughout the entire body. This molecule is also the ‘fountain of youth’ secret. The more nitric oxide your body produces naturally, the younger you stay, mentally and physically.

  • help memory and behavior by transmitting information between nerve cells in the brain
    • assist the immune system at fighting off bacteria and defending against tumors
    • regulate blood pressure by dilating arteries
    • reduce inflammation
    • improve sleep quality
    • increase your recognition of sense (i.e. smell)
    • increase endurance and strength
    • assist in gastric motility

Nitric oxide is one of the main ‘ingredients’ behind erections, and without the molecule, you simply couldn’t’ have a healthy one.

Simply put, nitric oxide makes the body run more smoothly, as oxygen, nutrients, and red blood cells can reach their target tissue and cells faster. This to me is what makes nitric oxide extremely important, when it comes to immunity, prevention and cure of diseases and maintenance of well-being.

The most common way to increase nitric oxide is through exercise. When you run or lift weights, your muscles need more oxygen which is supplied by the blood. As the heart pumps with more pressure to supply the muscles with blood, the lining in your arteries releases nitric oxide into the blood, which relaxes and widens the vessel wall, allowing for more blood to pass though.

As we age, our blood vessels and nitric oxide system become less efficient due to free radical damage, inactivity, and poor diet, causing our veins and arteries to deteriorate. Think of a fire hose as water rushes through it to put out a fire – it needs to expand enough to handle the pressure, still keeping enough force to put out the fire. Athletes and youth have the most optimal nitric oxide systems, reflecting their energy and resilience.

When you eat foods that contain natural nitrates, the bacteria in your tongue converts them into nitritines… …And once you swallow the food, the bacteria in your gut converts the nitritines into nitric oxide. And fortunately, nitrate rich foods are easy to obtain and they’re also quite cheap.

Here’s a list of few great foods packed with natural nitrates:

Spinach, beets, celery, aragula lettuce, iceberg lettuce, carrots, parsley, cabbage, radishes, collard greens, etc. It’s a well-known medical fact that vitamin C increases nitric oxide production in the body, and that it also protects the molecules. Garlic on the other hand is filled with nitrates, and it also contains a compound called quercetin, which is linked to increased NO levels.
eat plenty of grapes, red wine, onions, and garlic.

Get plenty of safe sunlight

CQ10 from food sources, such as from: salmon, grassfed red meat, animal organs, egg yolks, Brazil nuts, and spinach.

Remember in the tip number #1 how I said that the bacteria in your tongue converts nitrates into nitritines, and then your gut continues the process by converting the nitritines into NO? Well, that process never occurs if you’re a ‘heavy user’ of mouthwashes. Listerine and the likes, tend to destroy all of the bacteria in your mouth (remember not all bacteria is bad) so that the nitrates can’t convert into nitritines.

Exercising and staying active is amazingly awesome for pretty much everything. After all, we were never meant to sit around all day.

We should be constantly on the move, walking, climbing, etc. And pretty much all kinds of exercise (all the way from walking into furious strength training) has been shown to increase nitric oxide levels, both, temporarily and the baseline. Something as simple as increasing nitrix oxide in your body can make you feel healthy, strong and fit.

 

May 16, 2016 By Chhavi Goel Manglik 2 Comments

Cherry and its 10 Health Benefits

Cherries-health-benefits

Cherries are native to Eastern Europe and Asia Minor regions. They belong to the “drupe” family of fruits such as plumps, peaches, apricots etc. The two varieties of cherries that are popular are Sweet-Cherry and Tart-Cherry. Cherries are drupe fruits with a central “stony-hard” seed surrounded by fleshy edible pulp.

Who does not like Cherries? Most like it for its taste. But, cherries are not only all about for its sweet taste but, they are one of those fruits which is low in calorie but, rich in phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Both sweet as well as tart cherries are packed with numerous health benefiting compounds that are essential for wellness. Tart Cherries are a hit among athletes and sports persons.

A study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, found that runners who downed 24 ounces of tart cherry juice for 7 days leading up to a race noted significantly lower amounts of muscle pain and a faster recovery.

Let’s look at some of these benefits in detail:

  1. Skin food: It contains antioxidants like Anthocyanins, Cyanidin, Quercetin help in reducing the free radicals from the body making skin glow and young.
  1. Anti-cancerous: It is enriched with fiber, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), carotenoids, Anthocyanins this play a vital role in preventing a cancer.
  1. Reduces Inflammation: Presence of phytochemicals reduces the inflammatory enzymes action giving relief from the pain of Arthritis.
  1. Reduce muscle pain: Cherries give relief from the muscle inflammation and soreness that on the other hand, lowers the muscle pain.
  1. Heart food: Presence of Phytosterols & Anthocynanins reduces bad cholesterol levels & regulates PPAR. It raises the regulation of genes responsible for fat and glucose metabolism; which in turn lowers the risk of heart stroke.  Also, it is enriched with potassium that regulates the heart rate which controls the blood pressure/hypertension.
  1. Best for diabetes: It is furnished with Anthocyanins, lowers the insulin resistance& raises the tolerance for glucose (glucose tolerance). Cherries have low glycemic index of 22-25 ranging on the variety of it.
  1. Reduces the risk of Gout: Eating cherries may lower the levels of uric acid, nitric oxide, CRP levels that reduces the forming of uric acid crystals which prevents from swelling and stiffening of knees, thereof lowering the risk of Gout.
  1. Boost sleep: The tart of cherries a type of antioxidant that binds free radicals named Melatonin, inhibits the inflammation & oxidative stress. This not only helps in improving sleeping hours and the quality of sleep, but also has its positive effect on the people having disturbed pattern of sleep.
  1. Reduces fat: Cherries help in the decreasing the tummy/belly fat.
  1. Prevents Alzheimer’s: Cherries are rich in Flavonoids and Procyanidin, which protects neurons (neuronal cells) that inhibits oxidative stress and dementia. Thus, protects from Alzheimer.

April 1, 2016 By Anusha Subramanian Leave a Comment

“Finally, it’s your own discipline and routine that will help you stay fit and healthy”

Brian Pereira

Brian Pereira

He leads a busy life with lots of travel in a month which gave him no time to work out. Being an event producer is no mean task you have to constantly be on your toes. But, that also meant not enough sleep, bad food habits, and high cholesterol levels. Brian, however, did not make excuses instead he decided despite the busy schedule, he will have to make that extra effort if he wants to get healthy. Today, his efforts have paid off with his cholesterol levels lower, being active by clocking 10000 steps daily and getting better rest and sleep. Let’s hear Brian’s story of change in his own words….

I am an event and conference producer. My event happens once a year at the end of the year but it can be pretty stressful at times when you are managing a large scale event.I am also a freelance journalist and have my own blog and website. Given my work, I travel extensively both domestically and international.

Due to extensive travelling especially when its international travel, the body clock goes haywire, eating patterns get upset, sleep patterns get disturbed and sometimes even the water intake is not as much. I have now consciously cut down my travels.

I got a GOQii band sometime in November 2015 as it was a giveaway in my own event. That was the time when my annual event takes place. It was a stressful time for me. The event ended on November 30th. But, I had not removed the GOQii band for almost 2-3 weeks because I immediately went on a vacation after my event. Then one day I just picked it up and decided to try it out.

At this particular point, my cholesterol levels were high. My sleep cycles were irregular and had digestion issues as well. I, however, considered myself fit because I would occasionally manage to do some exercises. But, the other issues had to be controlled. It was a wake-up call and I knew I had to do something about it. Therefore, I decided to try the GOQii band. I connected with my coach Shiba Akhtar. I discussed all my issues with her and also mentioned I was taking medicines to lower my cholesterol.

Technically, I had started using my GOQii band from December 2015. I had done my tests prior to going on my vacation and my bad cholesterol was 200 but after I started using the band and following my coach’s instructions on various aspects such as increasing water intake to 2 litres, sleep patterns gradually improved. I started walking a lot and being active. Instead of taking cars or auto, I tried to walk for distances which were manageable.

Then I set goals for myself on the band from 6000 steps it went to 7000 steps and those goals were easily achievable without going out in the park, just in the commute as I commute by public transport. Now, I clock 10,000 steps daily however the goal is to increase this and clock 12k steps daily.

I also cycle during the weekends and walk for about 40 minutes to an hour in the park. The band actually helped me get on a fitness path. What has also really changed in the last two months is my diet. I am off red meat now, and when I go for events or conferences I stick to plain curd rice or just rice and dal. My coach has also introduced some new things in my diet like watermelon and flax seeds and oats. These things I wasn’t taking before all new things have been introduced. Fruits and assorted nuts also I have daily. And, I am avoiding lot of rich foods.

I am happy with my achievement so far. But, again it’s not only the band making a difference it’s a combination of things. It’s a strict discipline that I have now chalked out for myself. It’s been very difficult at times with my hectic schedule but I have tried to keep to my new routine. Success comes with a lot of hard work.

If you want to achieve your goal you need to maintain discipline and follow your coach’s advice. My coach has also been giving me some exercises to do. My current goal now is now to reduce the waist…belly fat. After three months when I went for my test my cholesterol levels were lower.

I am in constant touch with my coach. It’s this constant communication with the coach that is helping. I am sure together we can make it work. Also, what I like about my coach is the fact that she is not too pushy as she knows my lifestyle. But, the thing is that I listen to her and I am disciplined. We do make frequent changes if something is not working out. Having said this my coach is pushy on two things water intake and the oil that is used for cooking. In fact, taking her advice I have changed my cooking oil and now I use only olive oil.

I do indulge in rich foods once in a way probably during festivities or some family functions. But, I immediately try to burn it off next day.

The GOQii concept is pretty good because there is somebody to monitor you and make you understand. Prior to GOQii, I was going to purchase a FitBit band but then when I talked to people who were using it they told me that it’s only a step and pulse tracker. It does not really take care of the whole thing. You need a holistic ecosystem just as GOQii has. Many often forget: half the battle when it comes to fitness is just being able to objectively and easily assess how active you are on a daily basis. Here is where the coach helps.

The coach is always pushing you and keeps you motivated. It should not just be about steps and sleep. It should also be about diet and wellness, overall wellness. Finally, it’s your own discipline and your routine that will help you stay fit and healthy.

I am feeling much better than what I was in November and more relaxed that I can think clearly, I can sleep better. I am mentally calmer and at peace. GOQii has definitely helped me get more fit and heart-happy.

What does Coach Shiba Akhtar have to say about Brian

Brian has come up with goals like;

*he wanted to get fit/ a complete wellness
*wanted to improve his sleep quality
*wanted to live stress free life
*cholesterol was >200
*bloating
*indigestion

Prior to GOQii his Lipid profile reports showed

Triglycerides-127
Cholesterol-251
HDL-39
LDL-196

I set up few SMART goals for him;
*Advised him to work out either walk/aerobics 3-4times in a week and sent him aerobics links for the beginners.
*Since his water intake was low, we increased the water intake to 2 litres daily.

I kept a check on him on a daily basis.Meanwhile, I was also working at his cholesterol levels. Advised him to take lots of fibre and omega-3 rich foods.By the end of December, both his water intake, sleep cycle and digestion had improved. He was also clocking higher steps at around 7000 and doing his workouts. I also regularly kept sending him tips on how to lower cholesterol.

Soon we planned to get new goals
* To clock 10k steps
*exercises to reduce his waistline
*Meals

I advised him to do exercises such as the Russian twist, crisscross, leg raise, reverse crunches, heel touch for 30min for his waistline reduction. I also advised him to sip green tea, take sugar and fat in moderation, include lots of Salads and Fruits in his diet, small and frequent meals were also advised.Brian met the 10k steps target easily, simultaneously he was motivated to keep himself hydrated.

On, Jan 16 The lipid profile reports showed

TG-106
Cholesterol-136
HDL-32
LDL-80

Drastic improvement from the previous report.

He has started working to boost his HDL. I advised him to switch his oil from rice bran to canola/olive and opt for sea foods.Brian is reaching his goals flawlessly. We are working hard to get goals on time. I have now introduced TABATA and NeilaRey. I closely monitor his diet through the logs. After the introduction of Neila Ray, walk/running well we also introduced cycling. He has been doing well so far and meeting all his targets.

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