Helping You Live a Healthy Life

Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. It is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, it usually occurs along with nausea, dizziness, mood swings and food cravings. As many as half of pregnant women get constipated at some point.  Causes Increased production of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes th...

Nipah virus is also "top of the list" of 10 priority diseases that the WHO has identified as potentials for the next major outbreak. Health officials in the south Indian state of Kerala say nine people have died in confirmed and suspected cases of the deadly Nipah virus as of 21st  May 2018. Nipah virus (NiV) infection is a newly emerging disease...

Fermented foods go through a process of lacto- fermentation. Natural bacteria/ yeast feed on the sugar and starch in the food creating lactic acid, initiating the fermentation process. Fermentation preserves the food, and creates beneficial enzymes, b-vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics. Examples of some Indian fermented foods: ...

Tanning is one of the major problems during summer, and most people try to find a quick solution to it by using chemical laden bleach or opting from cosmetic peeling procedures. But, these quick solutions have several side effects and cause severe damage to the skin. The main reason behind skin tanning is a compound called melanin that is present in the skin. Our ski...

Your to-do exercises while at your desk!

GMO foods are genetically modified so that have had new genes added to their existing genes. Most of the foods available in the market today are genetically modified and there is a lot of controversy around it. CONS: Allergic Reactions GMO foods can present significant allergy risks to people. Genetic modification often mixes or adds proteins from a food that you...

The World Health Organisation (WHO) - recommended REPLACE initiative can help cut deaths. Given India’s disease burden of non-communicable diseases and also the urban movement towards healthier foods, this movement is vital for the country to prevent diseases, and the compromised quality of life and deaths caused due to transfats. The REPLACE action package will ...

The ancient practice of yoga is said to have many benefits on our body, mind and our overall wellness. Relaxation is one such benefit that yoga offers.

What does gestation mean? Gestation is the period of time when the baby is conceived and developed. Gestation comes from the Latin word “gestare”, which means to bear or give birth to. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. Pregnant women who have never...

As there are foods that aid in sleep, there are also foods that can deprive you of sleep. Many of the foods are not recommended before bed because they can interfere with sleep. Some of them are: Foods and drinks that contain caffeine: Drinks containing caffeine such as coffee, or energy drinks can give you an energy boost if you're feeling tired. However, it...

Myth #1: Organic farms don't use pesticides Organic farming also uses pesticides and fungicides to prevent damage of crops. Organic farming is considered unique because of the origin of the pesticides used. Organic pesticides are derived from natural sources and processed lightly before use. Myth #2: Organic foods are healthier Most people believe that o...

There are various benefits of using a meal planner, whether it is a formal planner or simply a few notes jotted down. A little pre- planning, can help you save time and money. Developing a meal plan can also help you eat a more nutritious, well-balanced diet that includes nutrient-rich foods from each of the five food groups. You may find that you can better manage y...

Often on several crossroads of life, we find oursleves stumped over decisions to be taken. This time prolonges, and before we know, we suddenly feel indecisive. Banishing this habit however, is easy to implement. Learn how:  

When your body recognizes anything that is foreign, our immune system becomes activated. This triggers a process called inflammation. However, sometimes inflammation persists, day in and day out, even when you are not threatened by a foreign invader. That's when inflammation can become your enemy. Major diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes, depression, heart dise...

Seasonal produce comes with nutrients and properties that the body needs to battle the change in season and to withstand the adverse effects of the weather. All summer vegetables and fruits are usually high in water content to supply the extra dose of water needed by the body. Similarly, during winters, it is important to include foods that would heat up the body from wit...

An easy way towards relaxation is meditation. Benefits of meditation have been talked about a lot. Along with mental peace, it paves way towards physical benefits as well. Beginning with this wellness regime, and practicing it daily yields relaxation and reduced stress. While many of us rely on meditation as primary stress management, the important question here is- are w...

Proven ways to control and relieve anxiety without medication.

Stress, anxiety is hardly avoidable. Having said this, it is equally true that the world is seeking newer and quicker ways to de-stress and unwind.

Pills are not the only answer to your health concerns. At times, the solution lies in your own hands! Find out more about how stimulating various pressure points on your body can benefit you in a number of ways. 

Pica is craving substances with little or no nutritional value. Most pregnancy and pica related cravings involve non-food substances such as dirt or chalk. WHAT CAUSES PICA? According to the Journal of American Dietetic Association there may be a connection to an iron deficiency. Sometimes pica cravings may be related to an underlying physical or ...

High blood pressure is often associated with few or no symptom yet it is a major risk factor for various chronic diseases such as heart failure, vision loss, stroke and kidney diseases. Usually, hypertension is defined as blood pressure above 140/90, and is considered severe if the pressure is above 180/120. Hypertension and heart disease are global health concerns. Acu...

You may think that since you work out regularly, you don't need to worry about doing additional active things each day. You hit the gym before work in the morning, so when your spouse brings up the idea of an evening walk with the family after dinner, you think, "I better not overdo it after today's tough workout”. Unfortunately, I think a lot of us ...

Here are eight ideas for increasing the opportunity to move throughout your day.

EPA and DHA stand for eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid respectively. These fatty acids are omega-3 fats, which are found in cold water fish. EPA and DHA are highly unsaturated fats and play a very important role with the function of our bodies. Sources of EPA and DHA are mackerel, salmon fish oil, cod liver oil, sardines and walnuts. EPA and DHA are ...

Why you need folic acid? Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) which is a serious birth defect of the spinal cord (Spina bifida) and the brain (Anencephaly). The neural tube is the part of the embryo from which your baby's spine and brain develop. Neural tube defects occur at a very early stage of development, before many women even know they're p...

Jaundice is the yellow discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes. It is caused by a build-up of a substance called Bilirubin. In many cases, yellowness in the white part of the eyes is more obvious than in the skin. The following are some natural foods that are effective in Jaundice. Tomato juice: One glass of tomato juice, mixed with a pinch of salt an...

When bacteria are out of balance, it can cause problems such as: Gas and bloating Diarrhea and constipation Abdominal pain and cramping Autoimmune diseases B12 deficiency  Here are some tips to promote your gut health and well-being: TAKE A QUALITY PROBIOTIC Probiotics are live micro-organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts...

If you find yourself awake during most parts of the night, the best sleep hygiene practice that you could follow is making the right dietary choice. Add the following in your diet to fight insomnia: Tryptophan Tryptophan is known to help aid better sleep. Here are some of the best foods loaded with tryptophan: Dairy products (milk, low-fat yogurt, ch...

It is completely normal to have a little gas along with bloating during pregnancy. Why does pregnancy cause gas and bloating? There are various factors responsible for causing the problem in different stages of pregnancy with the rising progesterone levels being a principal cause. What causes gas during early pregnancy? The pregnancy hormone relaxes all the sm...

Vasodilators are medications that open (dilate) blood vessels. They affect the muscles in the walls of the arteries and veins, preventing the muscles from tightening and the walls from narrowing. Vasodilation caused by relaxation of smooth muscle cells in arteries causes an increase in blood flow. When blood vessels dilate, due to a decrease in vasc...