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Health Benefits of the Wonder Spice Cinnamon

Cinnamon sticks and powder on wooden table. Selective focus

Cinnamon, an aromatic spice, is obtained from the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree belonging to the laurel family. This hot and sweet spice does not only add a special flavour to different cuisines but also helps in combating health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, stomach flu, cold, cough and tooth decay among others.

Let us have a detailed look at the benefits of Cinnamon.

Type 2 Diabetes: It has been proved time and again that cinnamon helps in controlling blood sugar levels and is thus beneficial for Type 2 diabetes patients. Researchers state that cinnamon bark contains potassium, manganese, chromium, copper, calcium, iron iodine, phosphorus, vitamins A, Bi, B2, C and zinc that help in preventing and curing diabetes.

As per a study published in the Journal of Diabetic Medicine, the blood sugar levels of the participants who had cinnamon supplements showed greater improvement as compared to those who had the standard diabetes medicine.

Stomach Flu: Stomach infection can give you sleepless nights. While pain killers may give instant relief however doctors advice against these as they may cause adverse side effects. Cinnamon, known for its strong anti-bacterial properties, is an effective way to cure this condition. The strong anti-bacterial properties of this wonder spice helps in destroying the Salmonella, Campylobacter and Escherichia coli bacteria that cause stomach flu. Cinnamon also works faster as compared to other natural herbs.

Cancer: Cinnamon is also known to prevent cancer. Researchers claim that cinnamon extracts limit the growth of various kinds of cancer including melanoma cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer and lymphoma cancer. It is said that this super spice interferes with a protein that aids the tumors in establishing blood supply which is imperative for their growth.

Weight Loss: Regular consumption of cinnamon helps in thinning your blood and improving blood circulation. Proper circulation of blood in the body boosts your metabolism and thus helps you lose weight. However, studies show that coumarin, the ingredient that mainly helps in thinning the blood is found in large amount in cassia cinnamon and regular and high dose of this particular ingredient is not good for your liver.

Cold and Flu: One of the most common problems, especially during the changing season, cold and flu may also be prevented with the consumption of this aromatic spice. It is the anti-bacterial and warming properties of cinnamon that help in fighting against this ailment.

Besides these, cinnamon also helps in curing arthritis, heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, Parkinson’s disease and boosts concentration power.

How to Have Cinnamon?

It is best to boil a few cinnamon sticks in water for some time and add some honey to it. You may even add ginger to it to make it more effective. Various brands sell cinnamon tea however it is better not to go for these as they have artificial flavourings and very little anti-bacterial properties.

It is also recommended to go for Ceylon cinnamon and not Cassia cinnamon which is readily available at the retail stores. This is because cassia cinnamon contains high levels of coumarin which may damage the liver.

 

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Living Healthy with HIV – Reality or Myth

 

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Have you seen the latest#CondomEmoji campaign by Durex, the Global Sexual-well-being brand depicting an “Umbrella with Raindrops”? This was the unofficial safe sex emoji launched ahead of World AIDS Day today. It was an interesting campaign to communicate ‘Safe Sex’ among the young adults. The campaign called for putting a safe sex emoji on every smartphone in order to help young people communicate about safe sex. The campaign has trended both on Twitter and Facebook with supporters from over 160 countries backing the movement.

The survey findings noted while more than 60 per cent of young people surveyed admitted to being uncomfortable discussing safe sex, 72 per cent of respondents admitted that they found it easier to express emotions using emojis and more than three quarters admitted that they use emojis to discuss sex and relationships.

Why is this discomfort about talking of sex or sex related diseases such as HIV/Aids even in the 21st Century?
One of my earliest memories of AIDS would be the movie PHILADELPHIA where Tom Hanks sues his Company for being fired from his workspace for being HIV positive.

Whenever we hear the word AIDS or HIV the word itself it creates a lot of fear and makes one judgmental. This is not the case only among the lay man but also is the case equal judgment, not only among general public but also within the medical fraternity. Unfortunately more than a the disease, AIDS is considered to be a social stigma and a taboo.
It’s become imperative to understand why this stigma is attached to HIV/AIDS?

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) as we all know is a syndrome caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which directly attacks the immune system of the patient leaving the body vulnerable to a host of infections. Aids is the last stage of HIV infection where the disease progresses and the body can no longer defend itself leading to more severe infections, malignancies and eventually death (if left untreated).
Let me try to look into the ways one can get infected with this Virus which are considered some of the main reasons for fear and stigma.

1. Unprotected sex- with an individual who is infected with HIV is the biggest cause of new HIV cases be it vaginal or anal sex. Oral sex also predisposes one to HIV if there are any cuts, ulcers or sores in the mouth. Wearing a condom is the easiest way to protect yourself and your partner against the disease. Unprotected Sex is more prevalent among young adults.
2. Blood transfusion with infected blood. This is one of the most unfortunate ways to contract the disease as the recipient is unaware of the blood being infected. It is always a good idea to make sure that the blood has been screened for HIV infection.
3. HIV infected mother can pass on the virus to her baby during pregnancy lactation or even delivery. These mothers can now take treatment to protect their babies.
4. Sharing razors or needles with infected people also puts you at risk of contracting the virus like in the case of drug abuse or needle prick in hospital.
In short the virus can be transmitted through infected blood, semen and vaginal fluids. In fact, when the disease first came to light in India, it was the sex workers and their clients who had the maximum prevalence followed by truck drivers.

The latest ‘DIPPER’ at night campaign where the Condom is disguised as the dipper is a great way to create awareness among truck drivers in India to frequent sex workers often.
But, honestly it’s not so bad as it’s been made out to be over the years. Currently, experiments are being conducted to find a cure for this disease. The good news in India is that we are seeing an overall reduction in HIV infections among the adult population.

According to more recent National AIDS Control Organisation data, India has demonstrated an overall reduction of 57 percent in estimated annual new HIV infections (among adult population) from 0.274 million in 2000 to 0.116 million in 2011.

HIV-data pic

India has the third largest number of people living with HIV in the world, according WHO.

LIVING WITH HIV / AIDS:

It’s not as bad. One can live with HIV.

The diagnosis is confirmed by a blood test and depending on the extent of severity of the immune deficiency, anti-viral medication is started which improves the number of immune cells which help fight infections and restore near normal life.

The medicines though expensive are distributed free of cost to patients at Government and NGO run clinics.Psychological help for not getting overwhelmed after the diagnosis, is also readily available. Confiding in a trusted person who won’t be judgmental. Judgmental helps in calming your nerves.

One must realize and believe that they can live to their potential  inspite of being HIV positive. Having social and emotional support is very essential, hence patients must not isolate themselves from their near and dear ones and f.amily and friends should also not ostracize the patient.

The Constitution of India prevents any discrimination against anyone having HIV and AIDS and neither is it a legal ground for dismissal from occupational services.

Patients living with HIV must maintain a healthy lifestyle just like diabetics or any other chronic disorders. Having a healthy diet and exercising regularly are a must to boost your immunity along with the medication. Till date HIV and AIDS has no cure but anti-retroviral therapy (ART medicines) are helping people live a healthy and happy life for almost 2 to 3 decades.

Currently, Art drugs have become ‘very good’ at controlling infection but patients need use the medication for life. If they stop the treatment, the virus rapidly replicates, eventually leading to the fatal AIDS disease.

Pregnant mothers have successfully delivered children without HIV with the help of anti-viral medication.
Lot of research by brilliant minds is being done around the globe to find more effective medicines and a cure.
HIV facts to know

• According to the WHO, more than 70 million people have been infected with HIV so far and about 35 million people have died of from the virus.

• In 2015, an estimated 36.7 million people were living with HIV and so far the infection remains incurable.

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Customized Postnatal Health Plan with GOQii

GOQii

Being a mom in today’s world, involves juggling a job, your chores, errands and ofcourse your family. Squeezing in some “me time” among the hustle and bustle seems close to impossible with all tasks already laid out on your schedule. But as the tale goes, catering to your health and throwing in some exercise goes a long way in assisting you with all that is lined up in your daily to – do list. We can help you build a customized postnatal health plan for shedding weight, which includes a diet and exercise plan. You will be able to interact with a doctor, who will be able to assist you with your postnatal health.

Making You A Part Of Your Day

Formulating a good exercise regime is vital to attain fitness goals. It is always good to get in your daily routine first thing in the morning. While a day is full with meetings, and other household tasks, there is a very good chance you may neglect a workout or find an excuse to skip it. Working out in the morning, not only gets your daily exercise out of the way, also sets up your tone for the rest of the day. It boosts metabolism and also the endorphin released helps to spike up your mood and increase energy levels.

Another important fact to keep in mind is that a nutritious diet assists in reaching your fitness goals. Finding time to prepare meals to attain a balanced nutrition is sometimes difficult. You should incorporate essential nutrients in every meal that you take. After delivery it is often paramount to lose the additional pounds you have packed on during pregnancy. In the first few months post delivery, the weight sheds off quite effectively, couple in breastfeeding, and moms note a constant reduction in their weight. However, with time a plateau is attained, and pushing forward to lose more weight is where new moms struggle the most.

A diet conducive to weight loss consists of minimally processed carbohydrates and fat, and a diet rich in fibre, protein and high energy carbohydrates. While the former provides almost zero nutrition, the latter is packed with energy boosting components. This usually includes food like fruits, fresh green vegetables, high fibre carbohydrates in the form of brown rice, pasta and bread and  protein sources include eggs, lean chicken, fish and legumes.

While all these are essential, putting plans into action is where the real conflict lies. A few tips include:

  • Setting a plan in writing: This makes you accountable and more likely to complete it. Noting it down as a task rather than a lingering thought will help you accomplish it daily.
  • Enlisting assistance: It is never a shameful thing to admit that you need help. Ask your spouse, friends and family, to help you with household chores and looking after your little one. Making time for yourself is crucial in order to look after your family.
  • Set realistic goals: While we all wish we looked a certain way, having a clear idea of what is achievable goes a long way. Start with a kilogram a week, and in no time you will find that you are able to achieve more than you set out to in the first place.
  • Choose what works for you: Be it a fitness regime or a diet, use what works for you. There are a plethora of options out there, when it comes to food as well as exercise regimes. Feel free to experiment and mix it up. Ultimately you will find something that suits you.

GOQii is teaming up with Babygogo 

We are giving 10 lucky moms a chance to win GOQii 3 Month subscription with free fitness tracker band. To become a contender, starting from the 14th of November; you will have to be the mom with the best answer of the day on the Babygogo app. Answering the queries with the most informative answer automatically puts you in the running to become the mom with the best answer for the day. So go ahead and send in your answers to the queries on the Babygogo app, and stand a chance to win this exciting opportunity towards a healthy and happy you.

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SHEDDING LIGHT ON DEPRESSION

depression

Last year, when the famous Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone opened the lid on her struggle with anxiety and depression and admitted to the world that she was on medication for the same, it became the talk of the town. Everyone started discussing mental health, there were articles in Newspapers, TV channels interviewing the actress and asking her to tell her story. Padukone became an example for many to come out and discuss their issue without fear. Why so? Because depression and mental illness isn’t usually talked about. There is shame and stigma attached to talking about depression. Today, on world health day, I would like to share some insights into depression and what needs to be done when in that situation.

My first experience in dealing with depression was when I was still in Medical school. My very close friend from medical school went through depression. It was then I realized that one needs a lot of empathy and patience to understand what someone is going through in depression. The extreme low mood during depression is such a bad feeling that no one chooses to be depressed by choice …it’s either circumstances or medical conditions that push an individual into depression.

My friend had slipped into depression due to a heart break. The impact was so huge that he withdrew himself from studies, friends and family. He slept longer than usual 8 hours, ate less and experienced terrible mood swings. He refused to talk to anyone and eventually turned suicidal. It is at this point that we had to rush him to the psychiatry department of our college hospital.

The psychiatrist talked to my friend privately for 15 minutes and then to his parents and me privately for another 10 minutes. Then, called us all in and sat us down and explained to us that my friend was suffering from an episode of major depression and medication was a must.

None of us were comfortable that he needed medication to recover from depression but, as counseled by the doctor, avoiding medicines wasn’t an option as he was feeling suicidal. Fifteen days later he started feeling better by 10% and the counselor started weekly sessions with him on the recommendation of the Psychiatrist to expedite recovery. Thankfully my friend recovered completely to his normal self in 6 months’ time and medicines and counseling were discontinued.

It is said that one in every four people suffer from anxiety and depression. According to WHO (World Health Organization) 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression in a year. By the year 2020, it will be the second most common disorder after heart disease. The chemical changes occurring in the brain during depression is a reduction in the level of Serotonin, dopamine and nor adrenaline – these are neurotransmitters (Chemicals which are produced by brain cells).

SOME COMMON SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION:

  1. Loss of interest / pleasure in activities which were previously enjoyable.
  2. Decreased energy.
  3. Feelings of guilt and low self – worth.
  4. Disturbed sleep and appetite.
  5. Poor concentration.
  7. Substantial impairment in the person’s ability to handle his/her daily responsibilities.
  8. At its worst it can make the person suicidal.

All symptoms are mild in the beginning and gradually increase in intensity over time.

RISK FACTORS:

  1. Genetics – If you have an immediate family member who has experienced major depression, there is a likelihood that you will also have an episode in your lifetime.
  2. Financial hardships and low education levels.
  3. Female Gender – depression is two to three times more likely in women as compared to men. Depression setting in after delivery of child occurs in some cases.
  4. Chronic illnesses like diabetes, tuberculosis, arthritis.
  5. Exposure to violence / Abuse especially in childhood.
  6. Being separated / divorced especially for men.

MANAGING DEPRESSION:

It is important to recognize depression and take it seriously. Going to a psychiatrist is a must

Mild cases can improve with counseling and psychological therapy (depending on the cause of depression, the person is taught coping mechanisms). Severe cases need anti-depressants along with psychological therapy. Self help is equally essential.

Some self help tips:

  1. Create a daily routine and try to stick to it.
  2. Exercise releases endorphins in the brain which give a feeling of happiness, hence daily exercise is a must to recover and prevent depression.
  3. Try to eat a healthy and balanced diet daily.
  4. Openly communicate with family members and loved ones about what you are experiencing to foster relationships and get support.
  5. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs as they worsen depression.
  6. Be patient with yourself. For someone with depression even the smallest tasks can seem impossible.

Depression is treatable and plenty of help is available to assist a person cope with it and get back to leading a normal and enjoyable life.

From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

As we observe World Cancer Day under the powerful theme ‘United by Unique’ (2025-2027)**, we are reminded that every individual’s journey with cancer is distinct, yet united by shared resilience, hope, and the collective fight against this disease. This theme places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the […]