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September 14, 2017
Pramod Pathak
Constipation is more than an aggravating condition; this silent epidemic has led to more than 6 million doctors’ visits and 700,000 emergency room visits, and costs billions of dollars in direct and indirect health care costs
Factors that influence your risk include eating a low fiber diet, using medications that affect your bowels, dehydration, lack of exercise and frequent use of laxatives or enemas
You may reduce your risk of chronic constipation by learning to squat when you have a bowel movement, using the bathroom when you feel the urge, getting regular exercise, eating real food and fermented food
For most people, an occasional bout of constipation is a minor aggravation. However, this is not the case for the nearly 15 percent of the U.S. population suffering from chronic constipation. This means 63 million people have difficulty passing hard, dry, lumpy stool, suffer from feeling bloated, have abdominal pain or feel as if there is something stuck in their rectum or intestines.
For many, the topic of their bowel movements is a private matter. This makes understanding and learning about the actual mechanics of how stool is produced and eliminated difficult, as many don’t find it a topic they want to discuss, even with their physicians.
The number of stools you have each week is closely linked to the types of food you eat, the amount of exercise you get and your hydration status. While many people may have a bowel movement once a day, the normal amount ranges between four times each week to several times a day.3 What differentiates infrequent stools and constipation is the consistency of the stool, the difficulty in passing it and other symptoms you may experience, such as bloating or feeling full.
Unfortunately, the number of people who suffer from chronic constipation is rising, leading to a characterization of the condition as a “silent epidemic” as those who suffer often suffer in silence.
There are a significant number of choices you make each day that increase your risk of developing chronic constipation. One is learned constipation, as your rectum is flexible and can stretch. In a study using college students, researchers found participants could easily train themselves to evacuate their bowels every 51 hours instead of every 28, leading the scientists to conclude bowel habits may induce constipation. Other factors that influence your risk include:
Low fiber diet
Changes in your routine
Lack of exercise
Avoiding a bowel movement when you have the urge
Drinking insufficient amount of fluid
Certain medications, such as opiates, antidepressants, antacids and anti-hypertensives
Frequent use of laxatives or enemas
Poor nutrition leading to vitamin deficiency, including magnesium deficiency
Iron supplements
Magnesium May Help Constipation and Protect Against Disease
One of the most popular short-term natural supplements that is effective against constipation is magnesium. Magnesium is an essential mineral and a cofactor used in multiple enzymes. A deficiency is associated with poor absorption of vitamin D and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and diabetes. Supplementation is being used to treat migraine headaches, hypertension and asthma.
Magnesium is important to mitochondrial health, and in the production of energy in every cell in your body. It is estimated that 50 years ago people routinely received nearly 500 milligrams (mg) of magnesium every day from their food. Today, with soil depletion and poor nutritional habits, many may only receive from 100 mg to 300 mg per day. Although organic, unprocessed foods are your best bet; the amount you receive will depend upon the soil the plants were grown in.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for magnesium is between 310 to 420 mg per day, dependent upon your age and sex. However, these amounts are based on reducing your potential for deficiency and don't necessarily address the amount you need to maintain optimal health. Some researchers believe you may need between 600 to 900 mg per day. Dr. Carolyn Dean, author of "The Magnesium Miracle," recommends that you use your body as a marker for your ideal personal dose.
Begin by taking 200 mg of oral magnesium citrate each day and gradually increase the amount until you develop slightly loose stools. Magnesium citrate has a mild laxative effect — whatever your body doesn’t absorb will affect your intestines as it is flushed out through your stool, which helps you identify your personal cutoff point. There is ample evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of using magnesium to naturally improve constipation.
Magnesium comes in several forms including chelate, threonate, citrate and sulfate. Citrate is the form that has the most effect on your intestinal tract and helps produce loose stools. However, if you are taking magnesium supplements for other health reasons, my personal preference is magnesium threonate as it appears to more effectively penetrate your cell membranes and boost your mitochondrial health, thus boosting your energy level.
Try Squatting to Enhance Elimination
Sitting on your toilet may be comfortable, but placement of your knees and upper legs at 90 degrees to your abdomen actually pinches off your anal canal and makes having a bowel movement more difficult. On the other hand, when you squat, your knees are brought closer to your abdomen, which changes the relationship of your rectum and sphincter, positioning your organs and muscles in a way that relaxes your rectum. This maximizes the efficiency of your evacuation.
In this position, muscles around your rectum and pubic bones relax. This encourages complete emptying of your rectum and cecum without straining. It also reduces the potential for stagnation of stool in your lower intestines and subsequent accumulation of toxins that impact the growth of your gut microbiome. In many non-Westernized cultures people routinely squat to evacuate their bowels and don't sit on a toilet.
It is interesting to note that in cultures where people squat daily, people don't have the high prevalence of bowel diseases experienced in countries where toilets are commonplace. Squatting without support is challenging when you haven't grown up squatting on a daily basis. A simple and inexpensive method of achieving good body position is to use a small foot stool. This places your organs and muscles in a more natural position and enables easier evacuation.
The following may also help...
Add bran in roti
Oats
Brown rice
Almonds,pista,walnuts
Tomatoes, carrots, watermelon
Go for peanut butter instead of reg butter
Lots of fruits and vegetables
Green mung
Sprouts
Bananas
Raw banana as veg
Use lots of garlic
Flax seeds can be added to cereal(oats) in breakfast.
September 14, 2017
Pramod Pathak
Constipation
- September 14, 2017
- Pramod Pathak
- Cholesterol, Diabetes, Hypertension, Wheat
A renowned cardiologist explains how eliminating wheat can shrink your belly and save your health.
Cardiologist William Davis, MD, started his career repairing damaged hearts through surgical angioplasty and stents.
“That’s what I was trained to do, and at first, that’s what I wanted to do,” he explains. But when his own mother died of a heart attack in 1995, despite receiving the best cardiac care, he was forced to face nagging concerns about his profession.
“I realized how silly it was,” he says. “I’d fix a patient’s heart, only to see her come back, and back and back with the same problems. It was just a band-aid, with no effort to identify the cause of the disease.”
So he sailed his practice toward highly uncharted medical territory–prevention–and spent the next 15 years examining the causes of heart disease in his own patients.
The resulting discoveries are revealed in Wheat Belly, his New York Times best-selling book, which attributes many of our nation’s physical problems, including heart disease, diabetes and obesity, to our consumption of wheat.
First of all, what is a “wheat belly”?
I make a lot of arguments about the dangers of wheat, one of which is that it raises your blood sugar dramatically. In fact, two slices of wheat bread raise your blood sugar more than a Snickers bar.
When my patients give up wheat, I see that weight loss is substantial, especially from the abdomen. People can lose several inches in the first month.You make connections in the book between wheat and a host of other health problems.
How did you come up with this theory?
Eighty percent of my patients had diabetes or pre-diabetes.
I knew that wheat spiked blood sugar more than almost anything else, so I started to say, “Let’s remove wheat from your diet and see what happens to your blood sugar.” They’d come back 3 to 6 months later, and their blood sugar would be dramatically reduced.
But they also had all these other reactions:
“I removed wheat and I lost 38 pounds.” Or, “my asthma got so much better, I threw away two of my inhalers.”
Or “the migraine headaches I’ve had every day for 20 years stopped within three days.” “My acid reflux is now gone.”
“My IBS is better, my ulcerative colitis, my rheumatoid arthritis, my mood, my sleep . . .” and so on, and so on.
So what is it about wheat that you think causes all these problems?
When you look at the makeup of wheat, it’s almost like a group of evil scientists got together and said, how can we create this god-awful destructive food that will ruin health?
First, amylopectin A, a chemical unique to wheat, is an incredible trigger of small LDL particles in the blood–the number one cause of heart disease on the United States.
When wheat is removed from the diet, these small LDL levels plummet by 80 and 90 percent.
We’ve had a situation where the national advice–to cut fat and eat more whole grains–is advocating a diet that causes heart disease.
You also talk about the “addictive” properties of wheat.
Wheat contains high levels of gliadin, a protein that actually stimulates appetite. Eating wheat increases the average person’s calorie intake by 400 calories a day.
Gliadin also has opiate-like properties in the brain, so it’s not surprising that when some people remove wheat from their diets, they literally go through a period of withdrawal where they feel terrible.
Food scientists have known this for 20 years, and they’ve used it to their advantage. If you go up and down the supermarket shelves, you’re going to see wheat flour in the most improbable places—everywhere from Campbell’s soup to granola bars.
Is eating a wheat-free diet the same as a gluten-free diet? I know that’s a major trend right now.
Gluten has negative, inflammatory properties, but it is just one component of wheat.
In other words, if I took the gluten out of it, wheat will still be terrible for you since it will still have the Gliadin and the amylopectin A, as well as several other undesirable components.
They’ve come out with all these foods that are gluten free: gluten-free multi-grain bread, gluten-free bagels, etc.
Those are made with 4 basic ingredients: corn starch, rice starch, tapioca starch or potato starch.
And those 4 dried, powdered starches are some of the very few foods that raise blood sugar even higher than wheat does!Sounds like all the “fat free” foods that came out 10-15 years ago. People thought “these cookies are good for me because they don’t have fat.”Perfect analogy. Yes, it’s the same kind of blunder.
What about the the health breads and the sprouted breads?
No. They still retain too much of the adverse wheat compounds–leptins, amylopectin A, gluten and gliadin. You might reduce the amount of some of the compounds, but they’re still there.
I encourage people to return to real food: vegetables and nuts, unpasteurized cheese and eggs and meats in all forms, avocados and olives.
People have been eating it for thousands of years, why is it suddenly such a problem?
Wheat really changed in the 70s and 80s due to a series of techniques used to increase yield, including hybridization and back crossings. It was bred to be shorter and sturdier and also to have more gliadin, a potent appetite stimulate.
The wheat we eat today is not the wheat that was eaten 100 years ago. Wheat has also become a much more central part of the American diet.
What if I remove the wheat, but I’m still eating carbohydrates?
So, for example, I stop eating my sandwich every day, and I start eating rice with chicken and vegetables. Will I still have the health benefits? Will I still lose weight?Most do, yes. Because rice doesn’t raise blood sugar as high as wheat, and it also doesn’t have the amylopectin A or the gliadin that stimulates appetite. You won’t have the same increase in calorie intake that wheat causes.
That’s part of the reason why foreign cultures that don’t consume wheat tend to be slenderer and healthier.Does everyone need to stop eating wheat, or are some people more at risk for these problems than others?
If you ask me, everyone should stop eating wheat. This is the closest I know of to something that will transform your life.
- September 14, 2017
- Pramod Pathak
Osteoporosis is a common problem, affecting an estimated 1 in 10 women worldwide at the age of 60. By the time a woman reaches the age of 80, she has a 2-in-5 chance of developing osteoporosis. In most people, sometime during your 30s your bone mass will start to gradually decline. For women, that bone loss can significantly speed up during the first decade of menopause.
Statistics suggest that, worldwide, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related bone fracture. In 2000, there were 9 million osteoporotic fractures, including 1.6 million hip fractures — a quarter of which occurred in men — which can lead to a significant decline in health and quality of life. Hip fractures can also be life-threatening. Twenty percent of those who break a hip die in the first 12 months following the fracture.
Statistics also reveal that osteoporosis is becoming more prevalent. In the decade between 1990 and 2000, the number of hip fractures increased by 25 percent worldwide.2 So, what can be done about this problem? It’s important to realize that osteoporosis is preventable by “proper living,” meaning eating right, getting nutritional movement and effective exercise.
Weight-bearing exercises are particularly important for the prevention of osteoporosis, which is characterized by porous and fragile bones. Unfortunately, drugs are typically the first-line remedy recommended by conventional doctors. This is tragic, considering these drugs do more harm than good.
Your Lifestyle Largely Determines Your Osteoporosis Risk
While diet certainly plays an important role, weight-bearing exercise is one of the most effective remedies against osteoporosis. For example, the walking lunge is a great exercise for building bone density in your hips, even without any additional weights. It is an absolutely extraordinary exercise and doesn’t cost anything to do. You can use YouTube to find demonstrations of how to do it properly.
Balance-building exercises like yoga and Tai Chi are also recommended. As long as you have strong muscles, bones and steady balance, your risk of falling is minimized. Should you fall, your chances of actually breaking a bone are also dramatically reduced.
Needless to say, the earlier you start exercising, the better — provided you keep it up. Exercise is really a lifelong lifestyle component, not a temporary fix for any particular problem. That said, even if you’re older, you can still improve your bone health. It’s never too late to start exercising. It just gets a bit more challenging, since you’re starting at a lower level of fitness with each passing year of inactivity. Below I’ll offer some effective exercise alternatives that can be particularly helpful if your fitness level is low. As noted by Fight Aging:
“The research materials … argue that the majority of people are not aware of the degree to which they are harming themselves, and that efforts should be taken to correct this … In our technological society of cheap calories, easy transportation, and replacements for physical labor, most people eat too much and exercise too little.
That becomes ever more pronounced over the years … This has a cost when it comes to health … Avoidable damage done to health over the long term is often referred to as secondary aging. It includes … accelerated loss of muscle resulting from lack of exercise. Near everyone in later life fails to exercise sufficiently, as demonstrated by study after study showing improvement in the muscle and health of even very old people following modest resistance exercise programs.”
Exercise Naturally Builds Stronger Bones
Aside from walking lunges, high-impact exercises such as sprinting and jumping are also effective, as is weight training. In one 2014 study, women between the ages of 25 and 50 who performed a minimum of 10 “flea leaps” in a row, twice a day for four months, significantly increased the bone density in their hipbones.
An earlier study found hopping and weightlifting increased bone density in the spine by 2 percent. Weight training targeting both the upper body and legs was particularly effective. Keep in mind that you’re not restricted to any particular type of exercise though. For example, you don’t have to use weight gym equipment if you don’t want to. Other examples of high-impact weight-bearing exercises recommended by the U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation include:
Dancing
High-impact aerobics
Hiking
Jumping rope
Climbing stairs
Playing tennis
Lower impact weight-bearing exercises, which are a safer alternative if you’re frail include:
Low-impact aerobics
Stair-step machines
Fast walking
Onions are supposed to help in hair growth. Ginger is supposed to regulate the circulation of blood from scalp to the tip of hair strands making your hair long and shiny. You can choose either as well. If your hair growth is scanty, go for Onion juice, and if, dull, split ends bother you, then go for Ginger juice. This recipe is really simple to make and you have to apply the ginger juice on the scalp, leave it on for thirty minutes and then wash off. Repeat it once a week for best results.
- September 14, 2017
- Pramod Pathak
- Beauty
When Fred said, “I’d love to get a shave,” I knew he was on the mend. That was true about all my patients in the hospital: Once they showed interest in grooming, I knew they were over the hump of anxiety about their recovery. They felt free enough and well enough to focus on their appearance. But when I heard skinny 16-year-old Sharon say, “I’m so gross! I wish I could cut myself in half,” I knew her body image reflected her mind’s torturous state of self-loathing—clearly not a healthy thing. When 7-year-old Aubrey, who lost her leg in a horseback riding accident, received a special little doll her parents customized to also have a prosthetic leg, she cried with joy. “She’s just like me,” she wailed. She felt deeply accepted and loved. Body image plays a huge role in how we perceive ourselves. Sometimes that image is accurate, sometimes not. Sometimes it’s benevolent, sometimes not. Either way, it reflects our sense of self and mirrors our state of self-acceptance.
THE BIOLOGY OF BEAUTY
Body image generally centers around attractiveness. Biologically speaking, attraction plays a huge role in the procreation of the species. For most animals, “attractive” is synonymous with “healthy” for that very reason. Not so for us anymore. Today’s world is steeped in an appearance-oriented culture that pretty much says it’s more important to look good than it is to be healthy. Dentists and plastic surgeons profit off of our vanity as well as our shame. Larger-than-life movie stars and supermodels hold up an ideal to which we strive, and for which we feel bad if we fall short. But now hear this: normal teeth are not naturally whiter-than-white. Breasts are not naturally large and symmetrical. Baldness is real. And not all real women have curves. So, the image we strive for isn’t even natural anymore. Plastic-fantastic dominates the field. Even our attraction sensibilities have become warped. We have all been Photoshopped.
Today’s world is steeped in an appearance- oriented culture that pretty much says it’s more important to look good than it is to be healthy.
BEAUTY IS A BEAST
In an experiment, hired actors selected several sets of 12 jurors to rule in a fake trial. The script was identical each time. What changed was the defendant; in some run-throughs, it was a good-looking woman, and in other enactments, it was not. (Who determined what “good-looking” was, I don’t know). In 9 out of 10 juries, the attractive defendant was acquitted. But the less attractive defendant was only acquitted 2 out of 10 times. Is justice blind, or are we? Clearly, good looks yield an advantage. I knew a woman who got breast implants as “a business investment” and, in fact, her real estate business improved after her surgery. Was it simply because she felt more confident? Or did people treat her better because she was objectively more attractive? More people make dietary changes to lose weight than they do to improve their health. That’s even true of many guests who come to Hippocrates. Their real focus is on shedding pounds and not on shedding toxins. We’re here to set things right again.
HEALTHY IS BEAUTIFUL
This is where education and some down-home soul-searching come in. Let’s get back to nature, where healthy and attractive go together—where healthy is attractive. Shoot, let’s take our maturity to the next level where a beautiful inner life, not just outer appearance, is how we measure attractiveness. Skinny little Mahatma Gandhi, you’re beautiful! Seven-year-old Aubrey with one leg, you’re a sweetheart! Every guest who has ever come to Hippocrates, you’re awesome! You’re beautiful for making a healthy you and a healthy planet your priority. You’re so beautiful when you reveal your vulnerability and open up. You’re beautiful, and your body is, too. God bless Hippocrates alumnus Kris Carr and her Crazy Sexy Cancer movement. Healthy is sexy. Healthy doesn’t only makes us feel good. It makes us look good, too. Go for healthy. Get off the appearance train and step into the deeper current beyond appearances. Body-conscious doesn’t have to be body-critical. Next time you look in the mirror, make friends with who you see.
Loving my daughter comes so easily when
she wins a competition,
gets high marks,
listens to me,
keeps her room clean,
finishes her food,
pays attention while studying,
sleeps on time,
Never raises her voice and
practices dance/singing/drawing without me reminding her.
That's the easy way to love....
However when I look back at my childhood I realize that *the moments I really wanted love badly were* when
I scored less marks,
failed in a competition,
couldn't fall asleep,
Didn't feel like studying,
Wanted to laze around,
Didn't finish the Tiffin,
Didn't complete homework,
Forgot an important assignment,
Fought with a friend,
Had a heartbreak,
Committed a mistake,
Felt guilty,
Felt lonely....
These were the moments when I needed my parents the most*, *I needed their assurance that it is okay to be human, to fall, to get hurt and what I wanted to listen in those moments was, "i know it hurts, but I'm here with you. Maybe we can't do anything about what happened, but I'm here with you. And I love you for what you are, always."
This is real and unconditional way to love!
Yes I wanted to hear, "I love you" loud and clear....it was the only thing that could heal my heart. Love from my parents
It's the moments when we lose control of ourselves that we want our parents to hold us, isn't it? You don't need to be perfect....just be real!
Do you chose love the easy way or the real, unconditional way?
Today no matter what your child does, choose Love and see how it heals you as a parent.
Gayatri Aptekar, 2017
Parent Coach, Therapist
In the study, the research team examined the effects of industrial food additives used in processed food. Specifically, they wanted to see how these ingredients impacted the intestines and on the development of autoimmune diseases — conditions in which the body attacks and damages its own tissues. These food additives are added to processed foods and drinks to improve taste, smell, texture and shelf life.
And what did scientists find? “…a significant circumstantial connection between the increased use of processed foods and the increase in the incidence of autoimmune diseases.”
Published in Autoimmunity Reviews, researchers uncovered evidence that processed foods weaken the intestine’s resistance to bacteria, toxins and other hostile nutritional and not nutritional elements. This increases the risk of autoimmune diseases.
“In recent decades there has been a decrease in incidence of infectious diseases, but at the same time there has been an increase in the incidence of allergic diseases, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Since the weight of genetic changes is insignificant in such a short period, the scientific community is searching for the causes at the environmental level.” — study co-author Aaron Lerner, MD
Here are the 7 food additives that trigger damage in the tight junctions of the gut, according to the study:
1. “Meat Glue” ( for those who still eat meat!!!)
Otherwise known as microbial transglutaminase, this special enzyme serves to hold proteins together. (Hence the name meat glue.) It’s often used in imitation crab meat (it could be landing in your beloved California sushi rolls!), fish balls and to improve the texture in meats like ham and surimi.
It’s also approved for use as an enzymatic binder to form smaller cuts of meat and poultry into a larger serving of meat. (This even includes some steaks.) Derived from fermented bacteria, a non-pathogenic strain of the organism Streptoverticillium mobaraense, it’s considered safe by the Food and Drug Administration, although other studies would suggest otherwise. It was only approved for use in 1998, so it’s a relatively young food additive.
Thankfully, this food additive that triggers leaky gut is not exempt from labeling, although it is sometimes called TG enzyme.
Another label warning sign? Products formed from pieces of whole muscle meat, or that have been reformed from a single cut, must disclose this fact on their label, as part of the product name, for example, “Formed Beef Tenderloin” or “Formed Turkey Thigh Roast.”
2. Sugars
Glucose was found to increase gut permeability and produce changes in distribution of the main protein of the tight junction in the human cell line Caco-2, indicating intercellular leakage.
Americans increased use of sugars results in higher levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Once formed, AGEs increase inflammation, which can further exacerbate leaky gut. We now know the sugar industry scandal that involved tricking people into thinking sugar was healthier than fat. This demonized natural, healthy fats and increased sugar in processed foods. As always, use my tricks to kick sugar addiction and drastically cut back on sugar and you’ll be much healthier in the end.
3. Sodium
A high-salt diet does more than affect your heart. Turns out, it’s also blamed for loosening up those tight junctions that keep your gut function strong and health. Interestingly, a high-salt diet could be behind a spike in autoimmune diseases. Excess salt can actually impact your innate immune system, causing macrophage dysfunction. We need some salt to live, but in general, Americans are getting way too much.
In a recent mouse study, increased salt concentrations actually seemed to trigger neuropathy in those with multiple sclerosis. So to hack your immune system, make sure you’re not eating too much salt. Cutting out processed foods will definitely help. More than 75 percent of Americans’ salt intake comes from processed foods.
4. Emulsifiers
You may have heard that a common food additive is tied to colon cancer. Emulsifiers like polysorbate 80 and carboxymethylcellulose (often known as cellulose gum) are used in things like nonorganic dill pickles, frozen baked goods, non-dairy creamer and more. They’ve also been linked to metabolic dysfunction, obesity and inflammatory bowel disease.
Emulsifiers are added to most processed foods to improve food texture and extend shelf life. But it also throws off healthy levels of intestinal bacteria, triggering chronic, low-level inflammation that promotes colorectal cancer and leaky gut. It seems emulsifiers act like detergents to disrupt the mucous layer that lines the gut.
5. Organic Acids
Researchers investigated the potential risks of using these solvents in food and beverages. Specifically, alcohol and its metabolites impair the junction barriers need to prevent leaky gut. Researchers say acetaldehyde, which is produced as the liver processed alcohol and is a contributing factor to hangovers, may be to blame.
Acetaldehyde is also found in fermented foods, but in my opinion, I’ve seen great gut improvements when patients work fermented foods into the diet. (Of course, you can experiment to see how your body feels with or without fermented foods.)
6. Gluten
When I work with patients, I tell that it’s imperative that they remove gluten and grains from the diet. (Once your gut is healthy, you can add back in grains that have been fermented and sprouted to eat occasionally.)
Researchers of the food additives that trigger leaky gut study also say gluten is a no-no. They noticed increased gut permeability when immune cells are exposed to gliadin. (Gliadin is a class of proteins in wheat and are a component of gluten. It helps give bread the ability to rise during baking.) Gluten often hides out in unexpected places, including sauces and gravies, where wheat flour is used as a thickening agent. And please note that even organic wheat contains gluten.
7. Nanometric particles
Nanotechnology is a booming business in the food world. A more than $7 billion business, to be exact. And estimates suggests 40 percent of food industries are using it.
Use of nanoparticles in food and food packaging is skyrocketing in America. Nanotechnology encompasses taking a material and unnaturally making it tiny, with dimensions between 1 and 100 nm. But at these dimensions, the materials may take on unusual physical, chemical and biological properties and functions that are remarkably different from those the original size of the compound, the study authors explain. They can behave in unexpected ways once inside human cells.
So why are we using them in food? Nanomaterials improve the taste, color, look, uniformity and texture of foods. Nanomaterials are also used in food packaging to help bottled beverages prevent CO2 loss. Silver nanoparticles are also embedded in plastic to kill bacteria.
But these nanoparticles are also linked to DNA and cell damage. Titanium dioxide is the most common nanoparticle in food. Manufacturers use it most often to make things like powdered donuts and salad dressings bright white. It also makes gummy bears opaque and enhances colors. We don’t really know what the long-term impacts of eating nanoparticles are, so I avoid them at all costs.
- September 14, 2017
- Pramod Pathak
- OPIOID
More people use opioid painkillers than tobacco. That means more people are popping opioids than are smoking cigarettes or cigars, chewing or dipping tobacco or using snuff. Opioids can be prescribed for numerous conditions associated with pain. For seniors, unfortunately, those conditions are not in short supply. Painful chronic conditions that become more common with age, such as arthritis, cancers and neurological diseases — to name a few — are among the top reasons your doctor may prescribe an opioid.
You already know these painful conditions that, in the past, were chalked up to being a natural part of aging, are no longer considered inevitable. Research shows us that we can change that destiny. And that’s the first step in avoiding reliance on addictive pain medications (and medications in general!). Here are a few ways you can make sure you don’t fall into the opioid trap…
Ø Good nutrition. First and foremost eat foods that don’t make you sick. Eschew the over-processed foods with questionable additives that set you up for pain-causing disease. Diets that are high in bad fats, refined flour and sugar can cause chronic inflammation that may go unnoticed until a major problem or disease develops that leads to pain.
Ø Boost your intake of pain-relieving and protective supplements. Mother Nature is a great pain reliever. Vitamin D affects the body’s inflammation response in a way that lowers the sensation of pain. That makes sense since vitamin D deficiency is tied to an increased risk for pain-related conditions like fibromyalgia and rheumatic diseases. Use omega-3s to keep your joints well-oiled.
Ø Keep moving. When your joints are in use, they get less stiff and keep working better longer — and with less pain. According to scientists, tai chi has been confirmed to benefit people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease and fibromyalgia. The exercise can also reduce pain, prevent falls, improve balance, drop your blood pressure and relieve stress.
Ø Question your doctor’s choice of medication. There may be times when pain medication is inevitable. But you don’t always have to accept opioids. Some research has shown that a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen works better to relieve the pain caused by wisdom teeth surgeries —it could also relieve a lot of other painful situations as well.
If we can take advantage of what we are learning through research to decrease our disease risks, we can certainly as well create stronger, healthier bodies that can serve us better in our senior years — pain-free.
Prep 5 mins
cook 5 mins
total 10 mins
yield 2 cups
A natural and simple homemade ketchup recipe that kids love.
Ingredients
1 kg of organic tomato
1/2 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar (ACV will leave a faint apple taste)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 TBSP onion powder
2 TBSP honey or cane sugar, or about 1/2 tsp stevia powder/tincture
2 TBSP molasses
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp dry mustard
a pinch of each of the following (to taste): cinnamon, cloves, allspice, cayenne
1 cup of water
Optional: 1 tsp powdered chia seeds for thickness
Instructions
Process chia seeds, if using, in a blender or food processor on high speed for 30 seconds or until finely powdered.
Add tomatoes, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, honey, molasses, salt, dry mustard, and spices to blender or food processor.
Add water and blend on high for 2 to 3 minutes.
Put in air-tight quart jar and leave in fridge to let flavors meld overnight (or at least two hours).
Use as you would the GMO high fructose cornsyrup regular ketchup.
What’s so bad about having a fatty liver? Well, two of the major repercussions are: inflammation, which triggers insulin resistance and pre-diabetes, causing your body to deposit fat into your liver and other organs – including your belly (this is called visceral fat); and increased risk of heart attack.
There is a difference between having a small amount of fructose from fruit, versus having fructose from other foods like sports drinks. And when you combine glucose and fructose into one product (like table sugar, which is 50% glucose and 50% fructose) that is really bad. Remember: There are 257 names for sugar, and despite very minor variations, they all create the same damage. If you have type 2 diabetes, you might even need to stay away from sugars all together; but for the most part, low-glycemic fruits should be fine for many people.
So yes, high fructose corn syrup is absolutely worse for you than the natural sugar found in berries and apples, but for the most part, sugar is sugar is sugar. It all it all wreaks havoc on your health.
- September 14, 2017
- Pramod Pathak
- Loneliness
In fact, loneliness is a leading precursor to depression and alcoholism, as well as all kinds of other medical concerns.
Why would this be? For starters, loneliness has been found to increase the levels of both stress hormones and blood pressure, which has a majorly negative impact on one of your most vital organs: the heart. No wonder a loneliness synonym is “heartache.”
Feeling alone from time to time isn’t abnormal or necessarily cause for alarm, but when feelings of isolation and loneliness persist it can really take a serious toll on all aspects of your health — and often, you won’t to see the negative health impact until years later. Isn’t it such irony that there is currently a loneliness epidemic taking place in this digital age when we are seemingly more connected than ever before? Interacting with someone via the computer or by other virtual means is just not the same as seeing each other in person or hearing a voice on the other end of the phone. Not only are many of us now feeling more alone with all this technology, but we’re also losing our interpersonal skills.
People of all ages can feel lonely, but this emotion can be an especially deadly among the elderly. A 2012 report by the National Academy of Sciences found that loneliness and social isolation in older men and women is linked to increased mortality. Regardless of your age, you will likely experience moments of loneliness in your life, but the great news is that natural remedies for loneliness are mainly habits and choices in your control and you can help yourself to feel better soon.
7 Natural Remedies for Loneliness
Occasional feelings of loneliness are not problematic if you do something to relieve yourself of lonely feelings. According to psychologist John Cacioppo, Ph.D, from the University of Chicago, “Loneliness is actually an evolutionary adaptation that should spur us to get back to socializing, a state in which we are happier and safer.” (7) Now let’s look at some of the best natural ways to combat feelings of loneliness and get to a much more enjoyable state of mind and being.
1. Less Social Media and Technology
You may enjoy social media at times, but at other times, maybe you’ve wondered or even searched the Internet for: “Do I have an obsession with Facebook”? Technology and social media can be quite addicting and time-consuming. On the positive side, you are able to keep in touch and maybe even form relationships with people all over the world. On the negative side, you may find you’re spending a lot less time connecting with people in person, getting outdoors, exercising, being creative and practicing other habits on a regular basis that help decrease feelings of loneliness.
A study published in 2017 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that heavy use of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Instagram, was correlated with feelings of social isolation. Specifically, this study looked at 1,787 adults in the United States between the ages of 19 and 32 and found that people who spent more than two hours each day on social media had double the likelihood of feeling socially isolated and lonely. Researchers also found that the people visiting social media most often (58 visits or greater each week) were more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated compared to people who visited less than nine times each week.
It’s also really important to consider the effects of social media and technology use on children when it comes to loneliness. A U.K.-wide study conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health released in May 2017 revealed that imaged-focused Instagram “is considered the social media platform most likely to cause young people to feel depressed, anxious and lonely.” Snapchat came in second followed by Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
It’s totally up to you what social media you choose to take part in (or allow your children to take part in), but reducing your time using technology in general can make a huge positive impact on your life and actually help with feelings of loneliness. An idea to remember is “disconnect to connect,” which means being intentional about being present in the moment, especially when you are spending time with loved ones or doing something you enjoy. Turn off your phone when you can or put it on silent. There will always be time to check a text or an email, but you can’t get cherished moments back and you can’t really enjoy what you’re doing when you’re not fully there.
2. More Outdoor Time
When you’re looking to overcome loneliness, getting out of your house and into the stress-relieving outdoor world is a fabulous idea. You can also choose an outdoor space where interaction with other people will be possible, such as a dog park or a hiking trail. Getting into nature is also a helpful option if you don’t currently have the option to see a loved one in person but are looking to relieve any loneliness depression feelings.
Exposure to sunlight, fresh air and nature are all scientifically known for increasing serotonin levels. What is serotonin? Serotonin is a brain chemical known for improving a person’s state of mind. When serotonin levels are higher, researchers have found that people tend to be happier and “that positive emotions and agreeableness foster congenial relationships with others.” So in other words, getting outdoors and boosting those serotonin levels on a regular basis can likely help improve the sympathetic relations you have with others, which can help decrease loneliness.
Fresh air also helps boost oxygen intake, which in turn can help to improve energy and mood. Living in mountainous areas with lower oxygen levels has even been linked to increased rates of depression and suicide. Fresh air is certainly one of the most basic yet essential lifelines of good health.
Anne Frank had one of the best lonely quotes when it comes to nature’s healing effect on loneliness. She said, ” The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.” You can try earthing as well, which can help reduce stress hormones.
3. Contact a Friend or Family Member (In a Non-Digital Way)
Sometimes when you feel like you’re suffering from burnout or exhaustion, you may think the best thing to do is be alone and keep to yourself, but think twice. Isolating yourself is only helpful when it promotes feelings of solitude rather than loneliness. Remember that solitude is a positive state of being alone while loneliness is a negative state. When you’re feeling really stressed out, lonely and/or depressed, it’s always important to talk to people you trust and get your feelings out. It’s also a great idea to hear their voices on the other end of the phone (rather than a text message) or, even better, see them in person. Let yourself be supported by those around you and you are less likely to feel so alone.
4. Share Your Living Space
When people feel lonely, they have a harder time handling stress well. Living alone has also been shown to increase the risk for suicide in both the young and the old. If you’re struggling with loneliness and live alone, you maybe want to consider having a roommate.
A few years back, a Dutch retirement home came up with an answer to loneliness for both the elderly and the young — it actually offered free housing to students if they agreed to spending time with the residents of the retirement home. In exchange for a rent-free living space, the students were required to spend a minimum of 30 hours each month being “good neighbors.” This inter-generational living situation is a way of encouraging both the old and the young to interact with each other in a way that can help foster feelings of connectedness rather than isolation and loneliness.
- a ripe avocado
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2-3 drops essential oil (optional)
The Drill:
In a medium bowl, mash the avocado and banana together until it forms a paste. Then, add the olive oil and essential oil and combine. Apply the mask to damp hair, massaging your scalp gently as you do it. Make sure to saturate all hair. Pin your hair or cover with a shower cap and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse out and wash your hair as normal.
For extra dry or damaged hair, apply the avocado hair mask for dry hair twice a week.
Strengthens your immune system
All citrus foods are a storehouse of vitamin C. This vitamin is known to fight colds and is good for your immune system. Lemons also have potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function and controls blood pressure.
Clears and freshens your skin
Experts say that vitamin C is great for youthful skin, because it helps in the production of collagen. Its antioxidants revive dull skin and keep it healthy. Warm lemon water removes toxins from the blood stream. Also, diluted lemon juice, when applied to blemishes, can actually help lighten them.
Battles bad breath
Lemon juice battles bad breath by keeping bacteria away.
Aids in weight loss
Lemon juice in the morning fights food craving. Also, it has been found earlier that people who maintain an alkaline diet tend to lose weight more quickly than others.
Do not overdo the lemon bit
Do not overdo the lemon. Just because one lemon helped you lose two kilos, squeezing four in your juice will not help you lose eight! Lemon has corrosive properties too and your tooth enamel may suffer.
Note to remember:
Adding a little honey to your lemon juice makes it more palatable and also battles phlegm and helps rid your body of mucous.
Never:
Use bottled lemon juice. Only the natural lemon is beneficial.
Always:
Rinse your mouth with plain water after you drink lemon juice.
Listed here, are five effective herbs that help in overall well-being of women.
Guduchi
Guduchi (Scientific name: Tinospora Cordifolia), commonly known as Giloy, is found in abundance in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Being rich in antioxidants, they have anti-ageing properties too. The best way to consume this is to use a powder made from stem of the Guduchi herb. The powder can be mixed in water and honey, and consumed.
Guduchi helps people with diabetes, although it should be taken only under medical supervision. In Ayurveda, the herb is used for treatment of various infections, fevers, urinary tract disorders, digestive disorders, and water-borne diseases like jaundice.
The extract of the herb is a good tonic for liver, improves vision, reduces stress, treats cough and cold, and cures stomach disorders. It also increases platelet count, and is therefore excellent in treating cases of dengue too. For women particularly, it helps conditions like PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome).
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is rich in vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, K and helps improve immunity. It is noticed that anaemia is more common in women than in men, and wheatgrass can help in cases of iron deficiency. Due to the presence of chlorophyll in large quantities, Wheatgrass helps in improving haemoglobin levels in the body. Wheatgrass is also rich in proteins and amino acids.
Wheatgrass can be consumed as fresh juice, or taken in powdered form. But, wheatgrass may cause nausea, appetite loss and constipation in some people. Therefore, pregnant and lactating women are advised to consult their gynaecologist before consuming wheatgrass.
Drumstick leaves
Drumstick leaves (muringa as it is popularly called) is a nutrient-rich herb, rich in vitamin C and beta carotene. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, cholesterol lowering properties, and is a natural energy booster. It can be added to regular food when cooking, or infused as tea. Drumstick leaves helps improve haemoglobin levels, increases milk production in lactating mothers, and is good for bone health.
Lodhra
Another powerful herb, that women should consider exploring, is Lodhra (Symplocos Racemosa Roxb). Being a good coagulant, it is used to stop bleeding. Therefore, it is used in treatment of bleeding disorders like bleeding wounds and gums. Lodhra is particularly beneficial in cases of uterus inflammation. It supports women during heavy menstrual discharge and leucorrhoea. It helps in maintaining health and strength of uterus during pregnancy, and also helps prevent miscarriage.
Lodhra is also beneficial as a beauty agent, and hence is used in face packs and anti-acne formulations, given its astringent properties. Lodhra helps in treatment of ulcers, eye infections, diarrhoea, dry eyes, and in conjunctivitis. Pregnant and lactating women should seek advice from their doctors before consuming Lodhra.
Shatavari
Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus) is beneficial for women of reproductive age. Shatavari seals its place in Ayurveda as a powerful herb in formulations meant to strengthen the female reproductive system. It helps in hormonal balance, and helps women transition peacefully into menopause. Shatavari is also an immunity booster, and is excellent in boosting energy levels. Half to one teaspoon of Shatavari can be mixed with warm milk and add honey to taste for consumption. However, women with estrogen-sensitive tumours should avoid this herb. Also, people taking diuretic drugs should avoid Shatavari, as the herb is a powerful diuretic.
- September 14, 2017
- Pramod Pathak
- Detox
This is why supplemental body detoxification is so important. In order to jumpstart your body’s flushing capacity to ensure that any and all toxic stragglers are removed as quickly and thoroughly as possible, it’s absolutely vital that you follow certain protocols on a routine basis.
Detoxification as a Way of Life
Detoxification is about a whole lot more than just a superficial notion of feeling “clean” as part of some trendy dieting fad. It’s about protecting your body against the very real and damaging effects of toxic buildup. For instance, did you know that peer-reviewed science continues to show that harboring toxins inside your body can trigger a wide array of health conditions – including everything from chronic fatigue and muscle and joint pain to brain disease and cancer?
Chronic toxic exposure is also a leading cause of obesity, which now afflicts more than one-third of Americans. A 2012 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives explains how so-called “obesogens” are a major contributor to the American obesity epidemic, which more often than not is erroneously blamed solely on people eating too much rather than walking around with polluted, poor-functioning bodies.
I don’t know about you, but this type of information is highly motivating to me. It makes me want to do everything possible to get these obesogens out of my body and avoid them at all costs – and I’m guessing you probably feel much the same way!
Why Body Detoxification Needs to Happen Before Weight Loss
The problem with trying to lose weight before detoxifying is that toxins tend to live inside fat tissue. This means that the minute you start burning off that spare tire, those toxins will immediately start flooding your system. Depending on your personal level of toxicity, this process might overwhelm your vital organs.
Many holistic practitioners recommend doing a series of detox cleanses before trying to actively lose weight. This isn’t to say that you should intentionally hold off trying to clean up your diet out of fear of toxic overload. Rather, you should do a few things first before embarking on a major dietary overhaul that could cause you to lose a lot of weight very quickly.
“By far, the majority of toxins are lipid-soluble molecules,” explains a 2002 study published in Advances in Nutrition: An International Review Journal about the nature of toxins embedding themselves in fat tissue. The study continues: “While water-soluble molecules are excreted through the urine, lipid-soluble molecules cannot directly enter into the urine and are instead attracted to the lipid in cell membranes. This attraction allows them to be transported inside of cells with ease, where they can sequester and exert their toxic effects.”
The First Step in Detoxifying Your Body: Reducing Toxic Exposure
I want to address the very first thing you need to do before you even think about starting a cleanse. This is to reduce your toxic exposure as much as possible. There’s no point in trying to rid your body of toxins if you’re just going to continue piling more of them on unwittingly. In order for your body to gain an upper hand in the detoxifying process, you’ll need to give your liver and intestines a break from having to process so many toxins at one time.
Here are 7 of the most common sources of toxicity you need to watch out for:
#1 – Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
Both an environmental and dietary concern, EDCs include phthalates in plastics; polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in electrical devices and fluorescent lightbulbs; bisphenol-A (BPA) in food can linings; synthetic steroids in conventional meat products; and estrogenic compounds in soy-based foods.
#2 – Pesticides
The reason I’m constantly telling you to buy and consume organic and/or chemical-free produce and meat whenever possible is because many common food pesticides are highly toxic. Pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides are designed to destroy life. Is it any wonder they also accumulate in, and act to damage the human body?
#3 – “Soft” and Heavy Metals
What makes metals like lead, aluminum, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and nickel so hazardous is that they’re highly pervasive in our surroundings nowadays. Often, they don’t show immediate effects in the body due to their gradual accumulation over time. Sources of exposure include air pollution, non- stick cookware, cosmetics, vaccines, dental amalgam fillings, cigarette smoke, conventional household cleaning products, and contaminated food products. For example, processed foods that contain high-fructose corn syrup are major mercury offenders, as is brown rice (and its various derivatives) grown in tainted soils.
#4 – Fluoride
This brain- and bone-damaging poison is hard to avoid if you live in a community that adds artificial fluoride chemicals to the public water supply. But you can help minimize exposure to this noxious chemical – which has been shown to leach lead and other poisons from water pipes – by investing in a whole-house water purification system that uses reverse osmosis, bone char, activated alumina, and/or deionization filtration technology. You can also choose to consume only natural spring or reserve osmosis-filtered water to minimize fluoride exposure.
#5 – Food Additives, Preservatives, and Growth Hormones
There’s a popular mantra that says if it’s advertised on television, you probably shouldn’t eat it! Many packaged and processed food products are loaded with chemical preservatives such as sodium benzoate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, synthetic food colorings, and other synthetic non-foods that contribute to early aging and degenerative disease. Avoiding these and eating only pure, simple foods made from organically grown, non- irradiated components will go a long way towards minimizing your toxic exposure.
#6 – Electronic Smog
Also known as Electromagnetic Frequency (EMF) or Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR), these are the invisible toxins that we can’t see and therefore most people don’t think about. Yet mobile phones, WiFi, smart meters, cell towers, microwave ovens, laptops, and many more devices are emitting a constant stream of radiation into the environment around you. This causes damage at the cellular level and can even alter the genetic material of your cells.
For example, cell phone radiation exposure has been linked to a number of cancers including two types of brain cancer (gliomas and acoustic neuromas). Avoiding these radiation-emitting devices completely is difficult for most people, so limit your exposure as much as possible and look into some of the tools that have been developed to counter EMFs. Keeping your body strong and resilient through good food, sleep, and self-care practices such as a regular detox protocol is also highly beneficial.
#7 – Pharmaceutical Drugs
Most of what mainstream society recognizes as medicine (especially with regards to anti-cancer treatments), the body sees as poison. Pharmaceuticals are among the worst toxic offenders in our modern world, with a strong lipophilic tendency to build up in fat and neurological tissue. Some pharmaceuticals also have a long half-life, meaning they don’t break down very quickly and can take months, or even years to disappear from the body.
I’m not saying to stop taking your prescriptions, but before accepting a prescription from your doctor, ask if there are any diet or lifestyle changes that might work instead. You’d be amazed at the number of conditions that can be improved, if not resolved outright, through a change in diet and improving other lifestyle factors such as stress levels and sleep quality.
How to Use Rice Water
Rice water has got to be one of the cheapest and most effective beauty treatments EVER! All you need is to save the water from which you cooked the rice in, OR simply soak rice in water for a few hours overnight and save that water. It’s as easy as that and the results will astound you! Today we’ll show you how to use rice water to cure 5 different beauty dilemmas!
#1. Dry & Itchy Skin
Rice water is extremely soothing and therefore the perfect remedy for dry and itchy skin. Using a cotton ball, apply rice water directly to dry, irritated skin and leave on overnight.
#2. Acne & Blackheads
Rice water acts as an astringent to the skin, and so applying it to acne & blackheads is a quick way to reduce redness and size. Apply rice water to acne and blackhead areas and leave on overnight.
#3. Shiny Hair
Looking for the shiniest hair ever? Rice water is packed full of vitamins and proteins! Use rice water as a hair rinse 2-3 times a week to reduce split ends, and overall healthier hair.
#4. Glowing Skin
Rice water isn’t just for acne and blackheads, it’s also a great way to get beautiful, glowing skin! Wash your face with rice water or simply use a cotton pad to apply rice water all over your face. Leave on for a while or rinse off immediately.
#5. Sunburn Remedy
Got a bad sunburn? Rice water is a quick and effective method to soothe burnt skin. Apply rice water wherever needed and leave on. The properties in rice water will cool the skin and prevent any peeling or boils.
- September 14, 2017
- Pramod Pathak
- Brain
There are a couple ways you can get started today to make a better brain for tomorrow…
Lutein — best known as the “eye vitamin” — is a nutrient that your body can’t make on its own. You can only get it through your diet where it’s found in high quantities in green leafy vegetables. But here’s something you may not have known… lutein accumulates in your brain tissues, and in addition to offering outstanding eye protection, it’s been shown to have a very positive impact on cognition.
A study performed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that middle-aged participants with higher levels of lutein had neural responses that were more on par with younger individuals than with their peers. In other words, their brains performed like younger, healthier brains. So instead of living in fear of mental decline, be sure to beef up on lutein power. Your eyes will also thank you…
We know too much about healthy lifestyle habits to put them off any longer. Eating for optimum nutrition, and daily exercise — even if it’s just walking — are healthy habits that keep us going strong in our senior years. And a study at UCLA showed that these habits that keep your body young can do the same for your brain….
In their study, researchers looked at the effects of a variety of different lifestyle modifications to optimize metabolic parameters — such as inflammation and INSULIN RESISTANCE — that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Participants, all of whom who exhibited sign of marked cognitive decline prior to the study, were counseled to change their diet (eat a lot of veggies), exercise, develop techniques for stress management and improve their sleep, among other interventions. What they found was striking… Every participant demonstrated such impressive improvement that almost all were found to be in the normal range on testing for memory and cognition by the end of study.
Both of these studies provided valuable information on simple ways to whip your brain into shape to keep your memory sharper longer.
First, add more lutein into your everyday diet. A good way to do this is to eat more green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale.
Secondly, be sure to get regular, moderate exercise daily. To really pump up your brain, try an aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercises not only prevent the brain shrinkage and cognitive decline associated with aging, but also reverse it! In fact, recent research reveals that dancing may be the best exercise for a bigger, stronger brain.
The sooner you get started — the better (and longer) your brain will serve you!
Aloe Vera, when applied increases the water content in your skin leaving it hydrated. It especially works wonders on oily and acne prone skin. Full of anti-oxidants it also helps heal scratches, wounds and sunburns. Rich in vitamins C and E, it lends to anti-ageing. It may also promote hair growth and reduce dandruff. Health-wise Aloe Vera reduces inflammation, builds immunity and maintains oral health. However its always best to try using a little initially, just to make sure that it suits your skin.
It is really simple to grow aloe Vera at home instead of purchasing ready made packed gels since these may also contain harmful preservatives. Take an aloe Vera leaf and peel the outer layer of the leaf and scoop out the gel and store in the container. Refrigerate it for a longer shelf life. Use directly on the skin for moisturizing or treating any wounds.
While there is no replacement for a good diet for glowing skin, read on tips on how to use Aloe Vera…
1. Aloe Vera for Dry Skin
Blend fresh aloe vera with a pinch of turmeric, a teaspoon of date paste, a teaspoon of almond milk and a few drops of rose water into a paste. Apply and leave for 20 minutes.
2. Aloe Vera for Sensitive Skin
Blend fresh aloe vera gel with cucumber juice, almond or peanut yogurt and rose oil into a paste. Apply and remove after 20 minutes
3. How to drink aloe vera juice
The natural taste is very bitter, so best is to mix it. Take the gel, dice it into small pieces, wash well and add into your smoothies.
4. Aloe Vera for Acne
Mix one tablespoon of aloe vera gel with 2 to 3 drops of lemon juice and massage on your face. Best is to leave overnight.
5. Aloe Vera for Hair Growth
Take 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and mix with 1 tablespoon of castor oil and gently massage on your scalp and leave overnight.
6. Aloe Vera for Hair Conditioning
Simply apply aloe vera gel after shampoo as a natural conditioner. You can even leave it in if you are comfortable with it.
- September 14, 2017
- Pramod Pathak
- Depression
Vegetarians tend to have lower intakes of omega-3 fats, vitamin B12 and folate, which could affect depression risk. So as vegetarians or vegan, we must supplement our diets with these key nutrients.
The association may also be related to higher blood levels of phytoestrogens, particularly among those who eat a lot of soy, or even pesticides, a consequence of consuming a lot of nonorganic produce
Vitamin B12 has made headlines for its powerful role in preventing cognitive decline and more serious dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. Mental fogginess and problems with memory are actually two of the top warning signs that you have vitamin B12 deficiency, indicating its importance for brain health.
However, anxiousness and depression may also occur alongside a B12 deficiency because it depresses the brain chemical serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to your brain's pleasure centers, and dopamine, the mood regulator registering memory and mood.
Vegetarians and vegans are especially susceptible to B12 deficiency because it's derived from animal products like beef, seafood, eggs and dairy products. Vegans are urged to augment their B12 intake by stocking up on nutritional yeast, coconut oil and fortified coconut milk. And also fermented foods like kefir and kombucha. Or take a methyl cobalamin supplement.
Folate helps your body produce mood-regulating neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. One 2012 study found people who consumed the most folate had a lower risk of depression than those who ate the least. Another study revealed that when stroke survivors took a daily supplement of B vitamins, including folic acid (synthetic folate), vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, their risk of depression was significantly reduced.
This is one deficiency that should be easy for vegetarians and vegans to correct, as folate is found in dark leafy greens like spinach, avocados and other fresh vegetables.
Increased Consumption of Omega-6 Fats May Also Play a Role
According to the featured study, vegetarians are also known to have a higher intake of omega-6 fats, which are also associated with a greater risk of depression. A major source of omega-6 fats for many vegetarians is vegetable oil, which is linked to a host of health problems, including heart attack.
These omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, when taken in large amounts, cannot be burned for fuel. Instead, they're incorporated into cellular and mitochondrial membranes where they are highly susceptible to oxidative damage, which damages the metabolic machinery. Worse, most of these vegetable oils are highly processed and grown as GMO crops, loaded with toxic herbicide residues like Roundup.
While your body does need some omega-6, most get far too much of it compared to omega-3, and this lopsided ratio can also have adverse health consequences. Further, when heated, vegetable oils tend to oxidize. According to Dr. Fred Kummerow,5 who researched lipids and heart disease for eight decades before he died a few months ago at 102 years old, oxidized cholesterol is the real culprit that causes heart disease.
Men consuming more than 67 grams of sugar per day were 23 percent more likely to develop anxiety or depression over the course of five years than those whose sugar consumption was less than 40 grams per day, for instance, so limiting sugar is one strategy. This will help you support your gut health, another important factor for mental health. Eating fermented foods regularly, or taking a probiotic supplement can also help toward this end.
