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How Ruta Pandya Managed Ulcerous Colitis & Arthritis With Lifestyle Changes

Ruta Pandya

We’ve always spoken about how you can manage lifestyle diseases with minor tweaks to your habits. But sometimes, it isn’t enough. Especially when one condition leads to another. Our player Ruta Pandya suffered from a condition called Ulcerous Colitis and a series of other medical issues which she battled for years. After fighting an uphill battle for what seemed like eons, she was finally able to manage them well with help from her GOQii Coach Hina Marwaha. Here’s how her Health Story unfolded. 

Battling Ulcerous Colitis & Other Medical Issues 

Ruta Pandya is a 44 year old teacher. For the past 17 years, she suffered from Ulcerous Colitis – which is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. Its symptoms include rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain. Along with this, she also suffered from Arthritis. 

Her medical issues began after she had contracted Typhoid. Due to the Ulcerous Colitis, she had issues with food absorption which eventually led to weight loss. She weighed 30kg and her BMI was 12.6 – which meant she was severely underweight. This was primarily due to skipping meals. If she ate proper meals, she would face digestive issues which were difficult to manage.

During her struggles and multiple doctor visits, she was recommended to try GOQii through her doctor in Ahmedabad. After much thought, she joined as a part of the Abbott Gut Health program. 

Managing Medical Conditions With GOQii 

When Ruta Pandya spoke to her GOQii Coach Hina Marwaha, she was quite hesitant towards the coach’s suggestions regarding food habits. She refused to eat as she feared digestive issues but Coach Hina was persistent. After a couple of tries, Ruta finally gave in and began making changes to her eating habits. 

She was asked to start with small quantities and gradually increase intake. Earlier, if Ruta ate one meal, she would skip the next. Coach Hina’s task was to ensure that Ruta ate all her meals without facing any issues. She gradually increased Ruta’s breakfast intake which included nuts such as walnuts, almonds, figs, etc. Later, milkshakes were also added to her diet.

Ruta was asked to divide her meals into 5-6 parts i.e. to eat every 2-3 hours. She had to avoid hot and spicy foods as they would trigger the acidity and make her stomach ulcers worse. Slowly, fruits were added to her diet – which were light, high in antioxidants and helped her heal her gut as well as get more energy. Slowly, Ruta Pandya began eating more without facing digestive issues. 

She was also asked to walk and perform exercises. Yoga, along with small walks helped Ruta Pandya build her strength and alleviate back pain and find some relief from arthritis. Before, Ruta would struggle to complete even 2k steps but by slowly increasing step counts, she can now walk 7km. 

Coach Hina Marwaha also introduced Ruta Pandya to deep breathing exercises which were effective in helping her reduce stress and improve sleep. Better sleep meant better internal healing! 

Making Remarkable Improvements 

Currently, Ruta’s food habits have improved tremendously. Before, she used to skip breakfast and mid meals and now, they are a part of her daily routine. She eats every 2-3 hours. She is happy that she is able to eat, absorb nutrients and put on weight. Her BMI is now at a normal range of 17 and her weight is around 35kg. 

In the 3-4 years that she has been with GOQii, her Irritable Bowel Syndrome is under control, constipation is non-existent and her digestion issue has also been resolved. Apart from that, due to back pain, she couldn’t walk long distances but now she can cover them with ease and she works out as well. Some of the changes also include: 

  • Her hemoglobin levels improved from  9gm/dL to 10.9 mg/dL
  • Her piles issue has improved 100% 
  • Inflammation in the stomach has improved 
  • Sleep which was initially poor, has now improved as she sleeps a minimum of 6 hours a day and wakes up fresh. 
  • Her starting weight was 30.7kg which has now improved to 35kg

Recently, our Founder & CEO Vishal Gondal spoke to Ruta Pandya about how her Health Story with GOQii unfolded. You can view the complete conversation here – 

What Does Coach Hina Marwaha Have To Say About Ruta Pandya? 

Ruta started her journey with GOQii in September 2018. The day she joined as a player, she was having a lot of health issues. At that time, it was her inner fire and faith in herself which was pushing her to the levels where she was putting all her efforts to follow the routine. 

Due to her medical condition, it was not possible to give her all the tasks at one time, but we followed the concept “Slow and Steady always wins the race”. At a time, only 1 or 2 tasks were given to follow and focus on. Like a mother, I have seen her changing and improving. I have seen her screaming and crying in pain and now she has empowered herself so much that she goes for long walks and does yoga every day. 

In this beautiful world, our body is capable of responding and evolving at every second minute, positively or negatively. Ruta is a live example of this. With her dedication to get fit, potential to follow the routine, consistency with the routine and managing her time, she has proven that “proper diet and lifestyle” can help you evolve and grow, mentally and physically. Undoubtedly, she is an inspiration to me and to others as well.

Does Ruta’s Health Story inspire you to start yours? Subscribe for GOQii’s personalized health coaching today to begin your Health Story now: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

For more inspiring User Stories, check out Healthy Reads. 

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Is Soy Healthy or Toxic For You?

soy

There is a booming market for vegan soy-based foods like soy milk, soy cheese, soy crisps, etc. and amid this high demand, the ongoing question is whether soy is bad for you! If you ask experts, you might get a dozen different responses. With soy slowly becoming a part of cereal, pasta et al, could too much of something be harmful? Is it bad for you? How much of it is too much? Let’s find out! 

What is Soy? 

The soybean is a type of legume originating from East Asia but is now grown and cultivated around the globe. The plant is used to produce different products apart from the edible bean itself, which includes milk, tofu and oil. Some fermented options are tempeh, sauce, natto and miso (which is a traditional Japanese paste made from fermented soybeans). Fermented soy products can actually offer a lot of health benefits since fermentation reduces enzyme inhibitors and makes soy’s nutrients more available.

Soybeans are used to make a variety of processed foods as well, which includes vegan meat substitutes and dairy-free yogurts and cheeses. Other compounds such as soy lecithin and soy protein isolate are often extracted from the plant and added to processed foods and supplements.

Nutritional Information 

Soybeans are very rich in nutritive components. Besides the very high protein content, soybeans contain a lot of fibre and are rich in calcium, magnesium, selenium, vitamin E, niacin, vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid.

Potential Health Benefits

Soybeans contain several powerful compounds and phytochemicals that have been extensively studied for their beneficial effects on health, including isoflavones, plant sterols, prebiotics and many more. Some of the well studied health benefits are listed below:

  • It may help lower cholesterol levels: Some research suggests that including soy foods in your diet may help manage cholesterol levels and promote better heart health. Also, while analyzing several studies, it has been found that consumption of Soy products reduces triglyceride levels, total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol. Whereas on the other hand, it boosts the HDL (Good) cholesterol.
  • It may improve women’s health by improving menstrual cycle and increasing fertility: Several studies show that inclusion of soy products in one’s diet could help improve the chances of getting pregnant. It may improve regular ovulation and menstrual cycles and also increases the chances of becoming pregnant if anyone is undergoing fertility treatments.
  • It may lower blood pressure: Soybeans may lower blood pressure because they contain isoflavones and studies indicate isoflavones might be effective in lowering blood pressure.

Risks and Side Effects

Although soy foods may be associated with several potential health benefits, there are a few side effects and risks that need to be considered as well.

  • Impact on thyroid function: It contains goitrogens, substances that may negatively affect the thyroid by blocking iodine absorption. However, there’s no evidence that people who have hypothyroidism should avoid it completely. Generally, it’s best to wait four hours after taking thyroid medication to consume any products that contain soy. At the same time, we should be sure that we are consuming enough iodine to prevent adverse effects on health.
  • Soy is GMO: Most soybeans today are genetically modified (GMO) and sprayed with pesticides. This introduces abundance of toxins that block the healthy absorption of essential minerals. GMOs are associated with a number of health concerns, including antibiotic resistance and a higher risk of developing food allergies. Selecting organic soy products is a simple way to ensure that the foods are produced from non-GMO crops.
  • Negative impact on Men’ Health: The dangers of soy for men are a result of the high levels of the female hormone estrogen that soy and soy-based products contain. Primarily, it affects the quality and concentration of a male’s sperm, especially when taken in large quantities. Researchers found some drastic change in a group of men who consumed it in large quantities. Their sperm counts lowered down, slow beard growth, bulky breast development and change in emotions were noticed. Basically, some of them started developing female characteristics.

With all the controversial and conflicting information out there, many people are left wondering if it is bad for you? So what’s the verdict? Although there’s no need to give up on it completely, you may want to avoid eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also, a good amount of research is needed to determine the effect of consumption on overall health, as the majority of current studies suggest that selecting non-GMO, minimally processed, whole or fermented soy foods in moderation is likely safe and beneficial for most people. But before you consume any soy or soy product, do consult with your doctor, nutritionist or dietitian. 

We hope this article helps you. For more on nutrition and healthy eating, check out Healthy Reads or ask an expert by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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Why Should You Opt For A2 Cow Ghee?

A2 cow ghee

Ghee has always been a part of the Indian tradition as one of the healthiest milk products. In Indian households, we generally use ghee made at home with cow milk. Recently a new type of cow ghee has appeared in the dairy market known as A2 Cow Ghee. Looking at the name, A2 Cow Ghee seems like some kind of a new trend in the health market but it is cow ghee made from A2 milk. Let’s understand it better.

We all know that milk is a good source of protein. However, ghee is pure fat but contains a very small amount of protein as well. There are two types of protein found in milk called casein and whey. There are also different types of casein protein, one of which is beta-casein. A1 & A2 are actually two variants of beta-casein that make up about 30% of total protein in cow’s milk. Traditionally in India, cows produced milk that contained only the A2 form of beta-casein, but today, most of the milk available in local stores contains mostly A1 proteins.

The Difference Between A1 and A2 Cow Ghee 

Reading the name, both types seem like brothers of the same family but there is a huge difference between their source and effect on health. Ghee when made using A2 milk which has only A2 Beta casein (a type of protein) is called A2 ghee. This type of protein is found in the milk of only some native Indian breed of cows and some other animals like the Indian buffalo, goat, sheep, camel, etc. 

On the other hand, ghee made from milk having only A1 beta-casein or sometimes both A1 and A2 beta-casein is called A1 cow ghee. A1 beta-casein is found in all commercial dairy products that we use in general due to foreign breed or crossbreed cows in India. It’s cheaper as the milking capacity of crossbred cows is greater than desi cow and the total number of them is also huge. Obviously, A1 milk is no way better than A2 milk. 

The beta-casein in A1 milk has a structure that allows a short molecule called beta-casomorphin-7 or BCM-7 to split off during digestion. Some foreign researchers say that this small protein can cause various problems ranging from juvenile diabetes, autism, schizophrenia, allergies to auto-immune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s. While the percentage of people with immediate effects is very small, the consequences are severe for affected individuals. On the other hand, A2 cow milk is comparable with breast milk when it comes to health benefits and digestibility.

What Are It’s Benefits? 

Being higher in nutrition values such as protein, iron, sodium, calcium, vitamin A, D, E with Omega 3 and 9 fatty acids, A2 cow ghee has many health benefits.

  • Slows the aging process and is good for skin & hair
  • Helps recover from wounds
  • Prevents diseases like asthma & headaches & alleviates insomnia
  • Best for joint massage & treating broken bones
  • Treats gastric issues
  • Lowers bad cholesterol and does not cause blockages
  • Makes your voice soft
  • Great for people who are trying to lose weight
  • Boost immunity
  • The best option for Nasya kriya which has many benefits for health
  • Suitable for even lactose-intolerant people
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Excellent for growing kids and pregnant women

Hope this information is helpful. Don’t hesitate to add at least 1 tsp of A2 cow ghee in your daily diet considering its multiple benefits for your body and mind.

You can get Pure Desi A2 Cow Ghee from the GOQii Health Store for a discount using GOQii Cash – all within the GOQii App. For more on nutrition, check out Healthy Reads or ask an expert by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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All About Your Kidneys – The Natural Cleansers

world kidneys day

Can you imagine your house not being cleaned for a day? Imagine no sweeping or mopping, and no sweeper collecting the garbage. The house would start smelling, it will get intense, and eventually there will be decay. Just like our house, the body needs to be cleaned. This essential and unparalleled job is done by a 10-13cm organ – the kidneys. The kidneys help in:

  • Removing waste and extra fluid from the body (Urine).
  • Maintaining a healthy balance of salts, water and minerals like sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium in the blood. It removes acid too! 
  • They also make hormones that help control blood pressure, make red blood cells and keep bones strong and healthy. 

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidney is the powerhouse of the body, supplying reserve energy to any organ running low on Qi. Its partner organ is the bladder.

The Kidney’s Job Profile

Each of the kidney is made up of about a million filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron includes a filter called the glomerulus and a tubule. The nephrons work through a two-step process:

The glomerulus filters the blood and the tubule returns needed substances to the blood and removes wastes. 

A blood vessel runs alongside the tubule. As the filtered fluid moves along the tubule, the blood vessel reabsorbs almost all of the water along with minerals and nutrients your body needs. The tubule helps remove excess acid from the blood. The remaining fluid and wastes in the tubule become urine.

The blood circulates through the kidneys many times a day. In a single day, kidneys filter about 150 quarts of blood. Most of the water and other substances that filter through the glomeruli are returned to the blood by the tubules. Only 1 to 2 quarts become urine.

Each kidney performs the process of reabsorption with great precision. Out of 180 liters of fluid that enters the tubules, 99% of fluid is selectively reabsorbed and only the remaining 1% of fluid is excreted in the form of urine.

By this intelligent and precise process, all essential substances and 178 liters of fluid are reabsorbed in the tubules, whereas 1-2 liters of fluids, waste products, and other harmful substances are excreted.

Urine formed by the kidneys flow to the ureters, and passes through the urinary bladder and is finally excreted out through the urethra.

Did you know that every minute, 1200 ml of blood enters the kidneys for purification, which is 20% of the total blood pumped by the heart? So in one day, 1700 liters of blood is purified!

Here is How You Can Take Care of Your Kidneys

  1. Drink up! Kidneys balance the electrolytes and fluid levels and hence its essential to drink liquids which are non-alcoholic and not caffeinated. Juices, coconut water, water, smoothies, etc. are your friends
  2. Check the colour of your urine. It should be the colour of a straw. Any darker means you need to drink up.
  3. Too much oily and fatty food is a big no! It puts pressure on the kidneys. Greens are your friends! 
  4. Ensure you have a normal blood pressure. It can silently impact your kidneys.
  5. Alcohol and smoking is a BIG no. There are no two ways about it! Just stop it
  6. Got diabetes? If you do, work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar levels in check. If they’re not under control, that can cause problems for your kidneys over time. Along with hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes is one of the biggest concerns for kidney health.
  7. Use your meds correctly. Take them as your doctor recommends, or follow the instructions on the package. Be wary of medicines that can cause kidney damage when you take them for a long time, including over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and prescriptions such as lithium and HIV medications. (Street drugs like cocaine can cause kidney disease too).
  8. Check your weight & exercise regularly. 
  9. Be positive, not just for your kidneys but for your overall health. People who tend to hold negative thoughts especially envious feelings with hatred tend to get kidney disorder as compared to a positive person, as every emotion is linked with an organ. 

Yoga and Pranayama are your friends for life!

Nothing beats regular exercise especially yoga and pranayama. These not only help the kidney, but the complete body. Yoga asanas assist in managing water retention in the body which enables sound sleep schedules and hence better rest. It is also one of the best ways to maintain balance in the body. Few asanas facilitate internal cleansing and flush out the toxins. Pranayam is known to relieve stress. 

To ensure that the kidneys perform their JD up to the mark, make sure you make your body do the following:

  1. Setu Bandhasana stimulates the abdominal organs, helps bring high blood pressure under control and relieves the body of stress.
  2. Bhujangasana stretches and strengthens the abdominal organs. It also raises the immunity level of the body.
  3. Ardha Matsyendrasana stimulates the kidneys and liver; improves the body’s immunity level.
  4. Paschimottanasana stimulates the kidney, improves digestion, and relieves menstrual discomfort.
  5. Naukasana improves digestion and alleviates stress. It strengthens and stimulates the abdominal organs. 

We hope this article helps you. To know more about improving kidney health, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach for some tips by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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From Terminal Illness To Complete Wellness! Ananda Mukherjee Health Story

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