immunity Archives

July 22, 2020 By Dr. Vaidya's 1 Comment

Foods That Are Bad For Immunity According To Ayurveda

While personal hygiene and social distancing measures are essential to stay safe, we can also turn to traditional Ayurvedic wisdom to raise immunity levels. As a holistic health system, Ayurveda has always regarded disease prevention as the key to maintaining health. Accordingly, a great amount of Ayurvedic literature focuses on diet, lifestyle, and home remedies to boost immunity. Since there’s already plenty of information on immunity boosting foods and remedies, we are going to put the spotlight on foods that are bad for immunity.

8 Foods That Are Bad For Immunity

Fried Foods: We love our fried foods, from samosas to bhajias, but it’s time to make some sacrifices. Whether it’s farsan or burgers, all fried foods are loaded with fats, including trans fats. This is known to trigger inflammation, weakening immune function. So, although you might be eating home cooked meals during this time, try to skip the fried and deep fried foods. This will help to keep your immune function strong.
Sodas and Colas: Even if we are not that addicted to sodas yet, now would be a good time to curb the habit. It really doesn’t matter if you only drink diet soda or carbonated drinks with ‘no added sugar’. They are all artificially sweetened and have no nutritional value whatsoever. Phosphoric acid, which is present in most sodas, depletes calcium and magnesium levels, both of which are vital for good immune function.
Canned Soups: In our current state of lockdown, canned foods like canned soups may seem like the healthiest choice. Unfortunately, the convenience of such instant foods comes with a price. Most instant soups (and other instant foods for that matter) contain high amounts of sodium, corn flour, maltodextrin, and other artificial preservatives and flavoring agents. These ingredients are known to increase the risk of lifestyle diseases and infections because of impaired immune function.
Sugary Snacks: Ayurveda has always recognized the risk posed by artificially sweetened foods. This ancient wisdom is now accepted as a scientific fact, as we know that high sugar intake triggers chronic inflammation and suppresses the immune function, making you more vulnerable to all types of infections – viral, bacterial and fungal. Ice cream, pastries, and chocolates may be your comfort foods but they are simply not a good way to survive social isolation.
Red Meats: are to be strictly avoided according to Ayurveda to protect against infection. A sugar called Neu5Gc is found in red meats and unlike fruit sugars, this sugar is not digested by the body. Instead, it is absorbed into tissue and triggers inflammation and suppresses immunity. Additionally, red meats are also high in fats that we know are bad for immunity.
Foods with MSG: MSG came into the spotlight some years ago when instant noodles were briefly off the shelves. Sadly, the ingredient hasn’t disappeared altogether and you’ll find it in a whole lot of processed and instant foods. Look at those food labels carefully. MSG is bad for your immunity as it causes oxidative stress to the thymus and spleen, which are vital for healthy immune function.
Alcoholic Beverages: Although Ayurveda recognizes the medicinal value of natural alcohols, recreational consumption of alcoholic beverages is regarded as toxic to the body. Alcoholic beverages are known to have high sugar content, impair sleep, increase inflammation and damage the gastrointestinal lining. This severely impairs immunity and increases vulnerability to infections.
Caffeinated Beverages: The need for harmonious living in accordance with the rhythms of nature is central to Ayurveda. Stimulants like caffeine can disturb this natural rhythm, especially when consumed later in the day. This is known to impair sleep, which is vital for strong immunity. Caffeinated drinks are also known to increase acidic levels in the body, which can increase inflammation and suppress immunity.

Reconnecting with our rich heritage of Ayurveda can help us through these tough times. Remember, Ayurveda is not about restriction but balance and harmony. So, in addition to eliminating these bad food choices, try using immunomodulatory herbs like tulsi, amla, and neem to boost immunity and stay safe from infection.

We hope this article on foods that are bad for immunity helps you make a positive shift to a healthier lifestyle. For more on Ayurveda, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE sessions by experts on GOQii Play. Subscribe now!

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July 1, 2020 By Priyanka Mangla 2 Comments

The Hidden Benefits of Okra Water

The Okra, Bhindi in Hindi or Ladies’ Finger, whatever name we call it, is an all time favorite for most of us. Fortunately, we get it throughout the year. You know, besides tickling your taste buds, okra as a vegetable and in the form of okra water has multiple benefits. Raw okra is 90% water, 2% protein, 7% carbohydrate and is negligible in fat. It is rich in dietary fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, some amounts of thiamine, folic acid and magnesium . Let’s discuss the benefits of Okra water one by one and I am sure, after knowing them, you won’t hesitate using okra water in your daily diet.

Benefits of Okra Water

It Lowers Blood Sugar: Okra Water is a low-carb diabetes fighting drink. Okra seeds contain alpha-glucosidase enzymes and its gum contains insoluble fiber. They prevent the release of sugar in the bloodstream by inhibiting the carbohydrate metabolizing enzyme. This helps in slowing down the rate of digestion, thus resulting in delayed absorption sugar in blood, keeping your blood sugar from rising too fast.
Keeps the Liver Healthy: Okra water helps in liver-detox. The slimy substance of the okra binds with the cholesterol and bile acids, thereby helping the liver flush out toxins from the body. It also helps in reducing cholesterol levels and is included in many weight loss programs.
Prevents Cancer: Being rich in folic acid, it helps in cancer prevention.
Prevents Stroke: It is rich in Vitamin C, which we all know is one of the most powerful free-radical fighters. In other words, it is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C is very essential in keeping our blood vessels healthy, keeping blood pressure under control and preventing stroke.
Boost Immunity: Being rich in Vitamin C, Okra helps boost our immunity as well, which is the need of the hour. Vitamin C is also required to keep our skin healthy by producing collagen. Skin is the largest protective organ of our body. Healthy skin ensures a good protective barrier to the entry of germs in our body.
Improves Brain Power: It has good amounts of potassium as well which is required for normal functioning of the brain. Potassium has other benefits too like controlling high blood pressure, preventing stroke, strengthening our bones.
Improves Digestion: The slimy substance of Okra which contains insoluble fiber, helps in the smooth movement through the gut and eases constipation.
Good Source of Non-Dairy Calcium: Those who cannot tolerate dairy products like milk, cheese, curd or are lactose intolerant, can opt for Okra. There is 82mg of calcium in just 1 cup of okra. This means, a single 100 gm serving of okra supplies about 8% of your daily calcium requirements. Now, we all know how useful calcium is for our bones, muscles, nerves and even weight management.

It is very easy to prepare Okra Water. All you need to do is soak 3-6 Okra pods (split each into two) in a glass of water overnight. In the morning, remove them and drink the water. This way, you get all the necessary benefits you need!

We hope this article helps you. Do give it a try and leave your thoughts in the comments below! For more useful information on nutrition and food, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play.

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June 26, 2020 By Dr. Vaidya's 1 Comment

5 Ways To Build Your Immunity Naturally

We take our immune systems for granted at most times. With the heightened threat of COVID-19 infection that is something, we can no longer afford to do. Boosting your immunity doesn’t require drastic action however. By digging into our rich Ayurvedic traditions we can find plenty of helpful information. In fact, Ayurveda’s primary focus has always been on disease prevention, rather than treatment. This means that it contains a vast repository of knowledge on strategies to strengthen and support natural functions, including immunity.

To make meaningful changes that improve immune function, you don’t need to adopt therapeutic practices or use nutritional supplements. While those methods will help and are supplementary, your main strategy should be to make small and natural changes to your daily lifestyle.

Proven Strategies to Build Immunity Naturally

1. Get Enough Sleep
If you wake up without feeling refreshed and feel sleepy through the day, you’re just not getting enough sleep. There are endless debates over how much sleep is adequate, but if you wake up refreshed and with high energy levels you have nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, most of us are sleep deprived or have disturbed sleep, which severely weakens immunity. Research that appeared in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that the risk of respiratory infections is significantly higher in people who get under 6 hours of sleep. This is because sleep deprivation leads to a rise in cortisol levels and impaired T cell function.

If you suffer from any kind of sleep disorder, you can take steps to improve sleep quality. Adopting a disciplined night time ritual will help. You can take inspiration from the dinacharya, adhering to meal, exercise, and sleep times. Avoiding exposure to digital screens, artificial lighting, and any stimulating activity is a must for a few hours before bedtime. Meditation before bedtime can also help calm the mind and prepare you for sleep. If you still have difficulty getting good sleep, you can try using Ayurvedic herbs that have adaptogenic and sedative effects like brahmi and jatamansi.

2. Find a Stress Buster
We often hear about stress as a risk factor for almost all kinds of diseases and infections. In the past this may have been based on anecdotal evidence, but that is no longer the case. Research shows a clear link between stress and increased vulnerability to infections. This is once again linked to a rise in levels of the stress hormone cortisol and reduced lymphocyte levels. Stress can also have an indirect impact on immunity. When we feel stressed and anxious we are more likely to make bad choices. A good example would be our turning to ice cream, chips, and junk as comfort foods.

Right now stress and anxiety levels are particularly high as it’s hard to stay socially isolated and trapped indoors. This makes it absolutely vital for you to adopt proven stress reduction techniques. In this context, mindfulness meditation is regarded as the most effective strategy and is even used in clinical programs to treat depression and anxiety disorder. If you need any additional support, you can also use Ayurvedic adaptogenic herbs like brahmi and ashwagandha.

3. Quit Smoking and Drinking
Nicotine and alcohol consumption are both regarded as harmful in Ayurveda because of their toxic effects. This is especially true with smoking as it has been linked to cancer and lung damage. From research, we now know that any kind of nicotine consumption is associated with such risks. Nicotine directly impairs immune function because of its adverse impact on antibody formation and T cell responses.

High intake of alcohol is also associated with severely weakened immune function. This effect is almost immediate, with a reduction in lymphocyte levels and weakened macrophage response soon after intoxication. Some of the toxic byproducts of alcohol are also known to directly damage lung function, increasing the risk of airborne illnesses.

4. Eat Smart
When it comes to diet and nutrition for immunity, Ayurveda has always been ahead of the curve. The importance of balanced nutrition, favoring natural foods with a high nutrition density has always been stressed. The importance of vitamin C from ingredients like amla has also been emphasized. Of course, to receive balanced nutrition that supports optimal immune function Ayurveda makes a broad recommendation too. The main principle here is to avoid or restrict all intake of processed foods, while opting for whole foods. This fundamental principle of Ayurvedic nutrition is now widely recognized.

Aside from increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and pulses should also be included in your diet. Dahi is again important because of its natural probiotic content. This is important for the health of the gut microbiome, which researchers now recognize as critical to healthy immune function.

5. Stay Active
Ayurveda is notable as the world’s earliest medical system to recognize the importance of physical activity. Yoga has in fact been used as a form of physical therapy now for millennia. The importance of staying active for strong immune function has been validated by several modern studies. Such research shows that exercise helps through various mechanisms. It lowers stress levels and raises antibody levels. This has been shown to lower the risk of infection and significantly improve recovery.

Keep in mind that exercise to boost immunity isn’t about high intensity workouts or going to the gym. It is simply about staying active. In fact, over exercising can suppress immune function. Right now, the best choices would be activities like yoga, Pilates, dancing, and so on, as they don’t require you to step out of your home.

These are 5 of the most essential changes to strengthen your immune system. To get an added boost, you can once again turn to the wisdom of ancient Ayurveda. Herbs like amla, haridra, neem, sunth, tulsi, and ashwagandha are known to strengthen immune function and can be found in a wide range of Ayurvedic medications. Ayurvedic formulations like chyawanprash and triphala are also still highly regarded and remain the most popular antidotes to weak immunity.

We hope this article helps you. For more tips on building your immunity, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play.

Stay home, stay safe and #BeTheForce

June 24, 2020 By Swati Savla 3 Comments

Can Moringa Help You Fight the Coronavirus?

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many suggestions on boosting immunity against the virus. These include lemon, ginger, citrus fruits, vegetables, turmeric, etc. all of which are high on antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory or anti-bacterial properties – aiding the fight against the virus and helping us maintain optimum health. Imagine getting all these properties under one umbrella. Sounds interesting? One superfood can provide you all of these and that superfood is Moringa – vouched for by our ancestors as well.

Why is the Ayurveda Prescribed Moringa Valued Globally?

Almost all parts of this tree (roots, leaves, pods, flowers, seeds) are utilized in varied ways.
It has Vitamins like A, B complex (folic acid, pyridoxine, choline), C, D, E & K (4 times Vitamin A of carrots), 7 times Vitamin C that of Oranges, 2 times the protein of Yoghurt, 25 times more iron than spinach.
It is abundant in protein, calcium, potassium, iron, chromium, magnesium, selenium and zinc.
Phytochemicals present in Moringa include tannins, phenolics, saponins, anthraquinones, etc. and flavonoids like Quercetin, Isoquercetin, kaemfericitin, isothiocyanates, all of which have shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
These nutrients are not destroyed after drying or boiling.
It doesn’t leave behind hygiene as well. Moringa oleifera leaf powder was as effective as soap for washing hands when wetted in advance to enable antiseptic and detergent properties from phytochemicals in the leaves.

With all these benefits and properties, the magical Moringa can help you boost your immune system as well as ward off illnesses. Give it a try now but before you do, do consult your doctor or nutritionist.

We hope this article helps you. For more articles on moringa, nutrition et al, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to experts on GOQii Play.

Stay home, stay safe, eat healthy and #BeTheForce