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Are Synthetic Vitamins Good for Health?

vitamins-m4r

Before we explain how good or bad these vitamins may be for your body, let us first what exactly is meant by the term synthetic vitamins. These are basically man made vitamins manufactured in laboratories. Synthetic vitamins form an essential part of the multi-vitamin pills as well as certain processed foods.

Now the question is that why does our body require these artificially prepared vitamins and do these actually add value to our diet or are these rather harmful?

Why should we have Synthetic Vitamins?

Our body requires various essential vitamins in order to stay healthy and work efficiently and our daily diet isn’t loaded with enough of these. Not only our food habits but, the quality of food itself is deteriorating with time. The nutritional value of the food is almost lost because of the intense use of pesticides and insecticides and during the food processing and refining process. So even if you go for fruits and vegetables rich in different vitamins your body may still not get the required amount. Medical practitioners across the globe thus recommend vitamin supplements. Synthetic vitamins are also added to processed foods to boost their nutritional value.

Are Synthetic Vitamins good for health?

Even as researchers and medical professionals promote the consumption of synthetic vitamins there are theories that advice against these. Certain studies show that synthetic vitamins do not contain as much nutritional value as the vitamins present in natural foods. Synthetic vitamins are not as absorbable and bioavailable. It has even been said that instead of doing any good to our body these may rather prove to be harmful. These may particularly have a negative effect on our kidneys.

While others argue that these artificially prepared vitamins are better than the natural ones. However, it is largely believed that while it is best to get your vitamin dose from natural foods you may go for synthetic vitamins but with caution. It is suggested to go for multivitamins that are prepared with whole food sources such as basil, spinach, carrots and other natural herbs and plants. You should refrain from having vitamin supplements that are prefixed with dl or end with –acid, -ate and –ide.

Studies also reveal that while certain vitamins are better when consumed in their natural form others are better off if had in their synthetic form. For instance, it is better to have Vitamin B12 and B9 in their synthetic form as our body can absorb and digest these more easily as compared to Vitamin B present in food. This especially holds good for older people and pregnant ladies. On the other hand Vitamin K and E are better had in their natural forms.

However, having said that, the fact remains that both the forms of vitamins help in treating and preventing various deficiencies.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.

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Simple guide to Protein – Uric Acid Connection

dairy-products

When Rohit came to me for consultation, he was suffering from hyperuricemia- a condition which is associated with high levels of uric acid in the blood. Increased levels of blood uric acid predispose to gouts and very high levels may lead to kidney failure. Uric acid is produced from the natural breakdown of body’s cells and from the foods rich in purines. Thus, in hyperuricemia, purine rich foods are avoided.

Though purines are present in all living things (and food) as they provide part of the chemical structure of our genes, some foods contain concentrated amounts of purines. For the most part, these high-purine foods are also high-protein foods and thus purine restriction gets wrongly translated as protein restriction in most cases.

A detailed discussion around Rohit’s food intake revealed that his diet was very low in protein. He was avoiding all pulses, milk and milk products and meat & eggs. In addition, to that, he was doing one hour of intense workout to reduce weight. He reported muscle soreness, weakness, and cramping which I could easily relate to his visible signs of protein deficiency – sparse hair, pot belly, and swollen hands.

Contrary to the notion that protein is necessary only in growing age, we need protein at every age for normal wear and tear of tissues. Most of the enzymes involved in important metabolic processes are proteins. Thus, like everyone, hyperuricemia patients too need this nutrient in adequate quantities.

Let’s make this complex protein -uric acid connection simpler through this guide on what to include and what not – 

Dairy products – Not only do they provide good quality proteins, scientific studies have demonstrated that milk when taken in moderate quantities actually help in reducing and managing gouts. However, fermented milk products such as yogurt, buttermilk, curds and aged cheese have purines from the nucleic acids of the bacterial cells that proliferate during fermentation. They should be avoided. Non-fermented milk products such as cottage cheese, paneer, whey protein can be taken.

Eggs– The yolk of an egg contains the nucleic acids, but the egg white is pure protein without purines.

Nuts – Nuts are naturally low in purines and can be eaten daily by those on a low purine diet.  Good sources of low-purine nuts and seeds include walnuts, almonds, flaxseeds and cashew nuts. Keep in mind that nuts are rich in calories, so eating too many of them could cause you to gain weight.

Pulses– Beans and pulses contain low to moderate amount of purines. However, researchers prove that purine from plant sources are less likely to harm and one serving of pulses per day can be safely taken by gout patients.

Meat – Meats including bacon, beef, pork, and lamb; Organ meats, such as brains, heart, kidney, liver, and sweetbreads; anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, and scallops are high in purine and should be avoided.

Epidemiological research has demonstrated that all purine-containing foods are not the same, and that plant purines are far safer than meat and fish purines in terms of gout risk.

Hope this information helps you meet protein requirements and lead a normal active healthy life on a low purine diet. For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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GOQii Doctor Consultations: All You Need to Know!

GOQii DoctorWouldn’t it be great to have a doctor assess your health or medical conditions online? Imagine having an online consultation with a doctor who is familiar with your issues, knows your medical history and is proficient enough to tackle the issues with simple lifestyle changes. You don’t have to look far! All you need to do is download the GOQii app and subscribe to get your own GOQii Doctor!

How Does It Work?

With the GOQii Doctor, users can have an online consultation. Before you begin with the consultation, an appointment is scheduled. GOQii Doctors acquaint themselves with the patient’s history, medical conditions and current lifestyle. Patients can also share their blood reports.

With this info, the consult with patients becomes thorough, which further promotes follow-ups and new appointments. After detailed research, if the issue is in the patient’s lifestyle, the GOQii Doctor can suggest lifestyle changes that will help. A GOQii Doctor will not prescribe medicines online.

What Can the GOQii Doctor Help With?

A GOQii Doctor can help you with a myriad of disorders. The issues handled by a GOQii Doctor fall in the following categories:

  • General Medicine: fever, cough, cold, weakness, fatigue, headache, anaemia, etc.
  • Lifestyle Medicine: weight management, stamina and immunity building, sleep issues, etc.
  • Endocrinology: Diabetes, thyroid, PCOD, Vitamin D deficiency, Osteoporosis, etc.
  • Orthopaedics: Joint pains, knee/back pain, exercise-induced injuries, spondylitis, etc.
  • Mental Health: Depression, anxiety, anger management, OCD, etc.
  • Cardiovascular: Heart care, high cholesterol, hypertension, etc.
  • Gastroenterology: Gut care, acidity, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, etc.
  • Dermatology: Skincare, acne, hair fall, rashes, psoriasis, eczema, etc.
  • Gynaecology: Women’s health, pregnancy, fibroids, menses, menopause, etc.
  • Ophthalmology: Eye health, blurring of vision, retinopathy, etc.
  • Other cases like piles, kidney stones, prostatomegaly, oral care, etc.

According to the IndiaFit Report, there has been an increase in the number of consultations for sexual health. As consults happen over a call, it is much easier for people to clarify their doubts on an issue considered a taboo otherwise.

Chronic disorders such as diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid and gut issues like acidity, constipation are the most sought after in the list of appointments. Poor and unhealthy lifestyle is the reason for these disorders and closely inspecting and making small alterations in the patient’s routine helps in providing long term benefits.

Do you agree that online consultation is the need of the hour? Want to know what else a GOQii Doctor can do for you? Drop us a message in the comments below!

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5 Breathing exercises for boosting immunity

breathing techniques for better sleep

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 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 practicing 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
  • Cures Aasthma, 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.
  1. 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 body.

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
  1. 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 practicing 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 practiced 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.
  1. 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.

Incorporating these simple yet powerful breathing exercises into your daily routine can significantly boost your immunity and improve your overall health. Practice regularly and feel the transformative effects on your body and mind. For further information or guidance, reach out to our certified experts by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

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