Monday, 25 March 2019

Good Reasons to Add Turmeric to Your Diet

March 25, 2019

Amazing  Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is an compulsory spice in most Indian kitchens. It is also known as the golden spice. Maximum Indian recipes are incomplete without turmeric. Turmeric is also used for medicinal purposes since ages. Turmeric contains some essential nutrients and components which makes it extremely healthy. The most important component is curcumin which is quite active in turmeric. You can consume turmeric regularly in moderation to enjoy its health benefits. Here are some impressive health benefits of turmeric which will give you more reasons to add it to your diet.
Turmeric Benefits

Turmeric - Benefits and Nutrition
Here are some impressive health benefits of turmeric which will give you more reasons to add it to your diet.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory
One of the most popular benefits of turmeric is that the curcumin found in it is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Curcumin stops the activity of the principal protein that regulates inflammation, and the activity of other inflammatory chemicals. One reason people choose to use turmeric instead of anti-inflammatory drugs is that it does not lead to gastric side effects.
1. Reduces Cancer Risk
There are several risk factors which can contribute to cancer. Various studies indicate that curcumin can reduce the growth of cancerous cells. According to the studies, turmeric consumption can help you reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and many others.
2. Reduces Pain
Because curcumin is an anti-inflammatory, it also acts as a painkiller. It inhibits inflammatory chemicals such as prostaglandins and interleukins to help reduce pain.
3. Digestive System
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in turmeric protect the digestive tract from bacterial infections. It is also a well-known carminative, which means it helps relieve bloating, making it an effective digestive aid.
4. Improves Brain Function
Curcumin can also stimulate brain function and improve memory. According to studies, turmeric can help you boost brain power. It can also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and depression. It will also stimulate logical thinking.
5. Oral Ulcers
Because turmeric is a natural antiseptic and a cooling agent, it is great for healing oral ulcers. Create a paste with turmeric and honey, and apply it to an oral ulcer to help speed up the healing process.
6. Anti-Asthma Agent
When used as an add-on therapy in bronchial asthma, turmeric clears the airways and helps improve breathing capacity. It dilates blood vessels, which encourages better air flow, relaxes muscles, thins the blood, restores breathing patterns, and relieves inflammation caused by asthma that leads to swelling in the lungs that obstructs proper breathing.
7. Weight Loss
Turmeric can help improve weight loss efforts in several ways. It aids in digestion and metabolizing foods, and can protect the body from other disorders that accompany obesity. Along with diet and exercise, turmeric can help speed up the weight loss process.

Due to its many positive health effects, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer, curcumin may aid longevity.

Hemorrhoids : Piles Symptoms, causes, and treatments

March 25, 2019

Piles - Symptoms, causes, and treatments 

Piles is another medically term for haemorrhoids. It is a condition wherein the veins inside or outside the anus or lower rectum gets inflamed or swollen. when the haemorrhoids guarding the anal passage become too big due to inflammation, so that the vein walls become stretched, thin, and irritated by passing bowel movements, that is when piles develops.

Piles

Many people have piles, but the symptoms are not always obvious. They become a problem when haemorrhoids start to become itchy, cause pain, or bleed. Fortunately there are a number of simple strategies to prevent haemorrhoids from interfering with your daily life.
This article will explore piles, their causes, how to diagnose and treatments.
Piles classified into two categories:
Internal Piles - are located far within the rectum, and can’t be seen or felt. The only symptom is usually bleeding.
External Piles -  are located around the anus right under the skin, where there are many pain-sensing nerves. They, therefore, hurt as well as bleed.
Piles Symptoms
In most cases, the symptoms of piles are not serious. They normally resolve on their own after a few days.
·         A hard, possibly painful lump may be felt around the anus. It may contain coagulated blood.
·         After passing a stool, a person with piles may experience the feeling that the bowels are still full.
·         Bright red blood is visible after a bowel movement.
·         The area around the anus is itchy, red, and sore.
·         Pain occurs during the passing of a stool.
·         Piles can escalate into a more severe condition. This can include:
·         Excessive anal bleeding, also possibly leading to anemia.

Haemorrhoids Causes

Piles are caused by increased pressure in the lower rectum. The blood vessels around the anus and in the rectum will stretch under pressure and may swell or bulge, forming piles. This may be due to:
·         Chronic constipation
·         Chronic diarrhoea
·         Lifting heavy weights
·         Pregnancy
Piles Treatments
In the majority of cases, piles resolve on their own without the need for any treatment. However, some treatments can help significantly reduce the discomfort and itching that many people experience with piles.
Piles Surgical Options
Around 1 in 10 people with piles will end up needing surgery.
Banding: The doctor places an elastic band around the base of the pile, cutting off its blood supply. After a few days, the hemorrhoid falls off. This is effective for treating all haemorrhoids of less than grade IV status.
Infrared coagulation: Also referred to as infrared light coagulation, a device is used to burn the hemorrhoid tissue. This technique is used to treat grade I and II hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoidectomy: The excess tissue that is causing the bleeding is surgically removed. This can be done in various ways and may involve a combination of a local anesthetic and sedation, a spinal anesthetic, or a general anesthetic.
Home Remedies for Piles
Here are some natural home remedies for seeking relief from piles:
·         Drinking radish juice twice a day is a common remedy for piles. Start off with 1/4 th cup and gradually increase it to half a cup, twice a day.
·         To reduce the pain felt due to piles, drink buttermilk to which rock salt, ginger and peppercorns has been added. Have this twice a day.
·         Mix one teaspoon of ginger and lime juice along with mint leaves and honey. Have this two to three times a day.
·         To reduce pain due to piles, mix one ripe mashed banana in a cup of milk. Have this mixture three to four times a day.


Sunday, 24 March 2019

Summer Foods - Best cooling foods for the Indian summer

March 24, 2019
 Best cooling foods for the Indian summer

Going from March to June, the summer season is the hottest time in most of the parts of India. The most hectic season of this tropical country, summer scorches almost all the parts of India with sweltering heat. The rising temperature drains our energy and ruins our appetite. So why not try something different this summer and let’s beat the heat with some cool recipes?
We all are well aware of some of these summer foods, but here is a list of unusual ways you can use them this summer to beat the heat.

Best cooling foods for summer


Healthy cooling foods for the Indian summer

Coconut water
It’s inexpensive and carries a powerhouse of nutritional benefits. Coconut water has electrolytes that make it one of the best hydrating agents. Besides being an excellent cooling drink, it helps in reducing blood pressure level, provides anti-aging properties, acts as a natural diuretic besides being a refreshing summer drink.

Watermelon
Don’t buy sliced watermelons from thelawalas, instead bring home a watermelon, store it in fridge, let it cool and then slash it into pieces.

Cucumber
Slices seasoned with some salt and pepper or mixed with other vegetables for a salad, cucumber surely is one of the best vegetables to cool off this summer. It helps reduce oiliness, and imparts a fresh and cool feeling. Try this different recipe and become “cool as cucumber”.

Lemon
Citrus fruits are always much healthier than other fruits. We add lemon to our food mostly for the taste but it has much more to it than just the flavour.  Lemon is rich in Vitamin C. It helps with blood pressure, cholesterol and also mental stress. Here is a simple recipe to beat the heat this summer

Mint
Mint is much more than just a garnish. This cool herb not only gives flavour to your dish but also cools you off in a way that no other herb does. It has several health benefits and can be consumed to cure nausea, headache, asthma, digestion and much more.

Curd
Curd is not only delicious but also gives a coolant effect to the body. You can have curd in different variants too. Make spicy buttermilk, or sweet lassi. You can also make raita and can eat it with your food. Another option to eat curd is by adding seasonal fruits in it or by making lip-smacking smoothies.

Onions
You may get surprised to know that onions too provide cooling properties. Eating them raw may ruin your taste, hence mixe it with lemon and salt and prepare salads. Another way to eat onion is by adding it in your vegetables, curries and raita.

Bitter Gourd

This is also a very good vegetable to eat in summer and is also easily available. It is known to be good for boils, rashes, fungal infections etc. which are pretty common in summer.

Saturday, 23 March 2019

Belly Fat - Top Secret to lose Belly Fat Naturally

March 23, 2019
Top Secret to lose Belly Fat Naturally

Belly fat, also known as visceral fat, is considered the most harmful form of fat in your body. Belly fat is associated with many health issues and diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Specifically it's the deepest layer of belly fat that poses health risks. That's because these "visceral" fat cells actually produce hormones and other substances that can affect your health. There are many dangerous and ineffective gimmicks about how to lose belly fat.


How & Why Belly Fat Increases
·         
Increased stress levels and busier schedules, which means less time for healthy habits like sleep or exercise.
·         Partly because of genetics, including the effects of “fetal and postnatal imprinting,” or passing on likelihood of obesity from mom to baby.
·         Eating more and more processed and packaged foods, with a decrease in fresh plant foods. The most substantial dietary change to happen in the last century include over-consumption of high calorie foods including processed vegetable oils, sugary drinks, fast food and all types of sweet snacks.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders (NIDDK) seconds this, stating that obesity— which presumably includes carrying extra belly fat — can contribute significantly to the following health problems:
·         Type 2 diabetes
·         Coronary heart disease and stroke
·         Metabolic syndrome
·         Certain types of cancer
·         Sleep apnea
·         Osteoarthritis
·         Gallbladder disease
·         Fatty liver disease
·         Pregnancy complications

How to lose belly fat

Improve your sleep pattern
Sleep is vital to people's overall health, and too little rest can have a severe impact on well-being. Sleep's primary purpose is to allow the body to rest, heal, and recover, but it can also have an impact on a person's weight.

Stop Smoking
Smoking is a risk factor for increased belly fat, as well as many other serious health concerns. Quitting can significantly reduce the risk from excess belly fat, as well as improve overall health.

Improve your diet
A healthful, balanced diet can help a person lose weight, and it is also likely to have a positive effect on their overall health.

Eliminate Fast Food:
It can be short and easy to select up a scrumptious cheeseburger whilst you’re strolling late and skipped lunch, however it can be a disaster for your weight loss program and stomach fat-burning plans.


A healthful diet and active lifestyle can help people lose excess belly fat and lower the risk of the problems associated with it.

Thursday, 21 March 2019

Cancer in India - Facts, stats, cure and treatment | India Against Cancer

March 21, 2019

Cancer Facts, stats, cure and treatment 

Cancer will claim 9.6 million lives in the world this year and India’s share in it will be a worrying 8.17 per cent, warns data recently released by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer. Deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to continue to rise to over 13.1 million in 2030.


What causes cancer?
Tobacco use is a risk factor for 14 types of cancer, says the Lancet report. The other equally worrying triggers include alcohol and drug use (eight cancer types) and poor diet (eight cancer types). It adds that unsafe sex is the main risk factor for cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer type in women. It attributes the high incidence of lung cancer to tobacco use and air pollution.
Cancer Fact sheet in India
1. There are more than 100 types of cancers; almost any part of the body can be affected.
2. The five most frequent cancers in India between men and women are breast, cervical, oral cavity, lung, and colorectal.
3. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in India.
4. Use of tobacco products is the single most preventable cause of death worldwide. As many as 2,500 persons die every day due to tobacco-related diseases in India.
5. More women in India die from cervical cancer than in any other country. Rural women are at higher risk of developing cervical cancer as compared to their urban counterparts.
Cancer Symptoms
Signs and symptoms caused by cancer will vary depending on what part of the body is affected.
·         Fatigue
·         Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
·         Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain
·         Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won't heal, or changes to existing moles
·         Changes in bowel or bladder habits
·         Persistent cough
·         Difficulty swallowing
·         Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating
·         Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain

Cancer treatments
Doctors have many tools when it comes to treating cancer. Cancer treatment options include:
1.Surgery - The goal of surgery is to remove the cancer or as much of the cancer as possible.
2.Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
3.Radiation therapy - Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. Radiation treatment can come from a machine outside your body (external beam radiation), or it can be placed inside your body (brachytherapy).
4.Stem cell transplant - Stem cell transplant is also known as bone marrow transplant. Your bone marrow is the material inside your bones that makes blood cells from blood stem cells. A stem cell transplant can use your own stem cells or stem cells from a donor.
5.Hormone therapy - Some types of cancer are fueled by your body's hormones. Examples include breast cancer and prostate cancer. Removing those hormones from the body or blocking their effects may cause the cancer cells to stop growing.
6.Targeted drug therapy - Targeted drug treatment focuses on specific abnormalities within cancer cells that allow them to survive.
Some alternative medicine options found to be helpful for people with cancer include:
§  Acupuncture
§  Hypnosis
§  Massage
§  Meditation
§  Relaxation techniques
§  Yoga

Best Foods for Healthy Hair Growth | FirstBell

March 21, 2019

Many people want strong and healthy hair spend a fortune on expensive hair products for healthier tresses. However, the truth is, beautiful hair starts with our diets.

Although you can’t change factors like age and genetics, diet is one thing you have control over. In fact, consuming a diet lacking the right nutrients can lead to hair loss.

What is hair made of?
Hair is primarily made of a protein called keratin that also makes nails and forms the outer protective layer of skin. Each hair consists of three layers:
1. The cuticle - the outer layer, thin and colourless. It acts as the protective layer.
2. The cortex which contains melanin, which is responsible for hair colour.

The Top 5 Foods for Healthy Hair Growth
Eat the correct balance of the following nutrients including protein, vitamins and minerals to supply hair with all that it needs to remain shiny, lustrous and strong...

1. Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of protein and biotin, and they contain vitamins A and E, plus some iron and calcium. Eggs produced by hens fed special diets, called ‘omega eggs’ are also good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

2. Nuts
Almonds, pecans, and walnuts are rich in plant proteins, biotin, minerals and vitamin E. Walnuts are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Eat raw walnuts as a snack or top your salads with toasted pecans. Sprinkle some almonds on green beans or other cooked veggies.

3. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes and yams are packed with vitamin A, plus they contain vitamin C, iron, and calcium.  Serve whipped sweet potatoes as a tasty side dish or bake sweet potatoes and top them with a small amount of molasses to add even more calcium.

4. Fish
Salmon and tuna are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D, but even though they’re rich in omega-3 fats, they’re not high in total fats or calories. Add salmon or tuna to a fresh green salad or enjoy them as sushi. Canned tuna and salmon can be kept on hand and used in a number of recipes. Herring, sardines, and trout are also rich in omega-3s.

5. Oysters
Oysters are extremely high in zinc plus they’re a rich source of protein. Enjoy raw oysters on the half shell, prepared as Oysters Rockefeller, or make oyster stew for dinner.

As part of a balanced diet, these foods will help your hair grow long and strong, maximizing your growth cycle and minimizing the shedding phase. The key is to achieve an overall balance in your diet.


Tuesday, 19 March 2019

Heart Attack - Causes, Symptoms, Risk and Treatment - Firstbell

March 19, 2019

Heart Attack - Causes, Symptoms, Risk and Treatment

A heart attack is the death of a segment of heart muscle caused by a loss of  blood supply. A heart is a muscle, and it needs a good blood supply to keep it healthy.

As we get older, the smooth inner walls of the arteries that supply the blood to the heart can become damaged and narrow due to the build-up of fatty materials, called plaque.
The team examined data on almost 370,000 people aged 40–69. They first wanted to see whether having a family history of coronary heart disease also increased the risk of major depression, and they found that it did.
Heart attach Causes
The underlying cause of a heart attack is coronary heart disease.
Some people may not know they have coronary heart disease until they have a heart attack. For others, a heart attack can happen after weeks, months or years of having coronary heart disease.
Heart attach Symptoms
Heart attack warning signs can vary from person to person, and they may not always be sudden or severe. Read about heart attack warning signs
 Following are other possible signs and symptoms of a heart attack occurring:
·         Crushing chest pain
·         Shortness of breath called dyspnea
·         Feeling awful, generally
·         Vomiting
·         Feeling clammy and sweaty
·         Shortness of breath
Treatments during a heart attack
Sometimes, a person who is having a heart attack will stop breathing. In this case, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, should be started immediately. This process involves:
·         Manual chest compressions
·         Defibrillator
Treatments following a heart attack
Most people will need several kinds of medications or treatments after a heart attack. The aim of these measures is to prevent future heart attacks occurring. They may include:
·         Aspirin and other antiplatelets
·         Beta blockers
·         ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors
·         Statins
·         Angioplasty
·         CABG or coronary artery bypass graft
Heart attach Diagnosis
If you are rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack, your health care team will do some tests to find out if you are having a heart attack. They may include:
·         Electrocardiogram (ECG)
·         Blood tests
·         Chest X-ray
·         Coronary angiogram.
Fast facts on heart attacks:
·         During a heart attack, the heart muscle loses blood supply and is damaged.
·         Chest discomfort and pain are common symptoms.
·         The risk of a heart attack increases when a man is over 45 and a woman is over 55.
·         Smoking and obesity are big factors, particularly in the at-risk age range.