Health News

We all know that vitamin D is associated with bone health. How many are aware that vitamin K is also associated with bone health? It is true that vitamin K would strengthen the bones in us.  This vitamin K also plays its part in blood clotting also. It is worthy to note that vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin that is very much needed for our health to be normal. Vitamin K is present in forms like phylloquinone present in green leafy vegetables and menaquinones produced by gut bacteria. Dosage for vitamin K: It must be noted that adult persons would need 120 micrograms (for males) and 90mcg (for females) of vitamin K per day. This vitamin could b got through oral supplements, injections or drops etc Intake of kale: It is noteworthy that one cup of kale contains 1062 micrograms of vitamin K. Therefore, one bowl of kale salad is adequate for daily requirements of this vitamin. Intake of spinach: One cup of spinach has about 888 micrograms of vitamin K. Hence, it is needed to consume spinach for the sake of vitamin K. Moreover, intake of spinach would also help in heart health, better vision etc. Intake of Brussel sprouts: It must be taken into note that one cup of Brussel sprouts would have 155.8mcg of vitamin K. There are also other benefits of this vegetable like improved immunity, better blood sugar control, good for digestion etc. Intake of broccoli: Not only fibres and proteins are present in broccoli but also vitamin K. Information is that one cup of broccoli would have 220 mcg of the nutrient. Intake of edamame: Prepared with immature soybeans in their pods is edamame or a dish in East Asia.  Point is that one cup of edamame contains 37.1mcg of vitamin K. This edamame also has other benefits like weight loss, heart health, bone health etc. Intake of soybeans: Not many of us would be aware of the fact that soybeans are the highest sources s of vitamin K2. Point is that 3.5ounces of soybeans would have 1000mcg of vitamin K. It is known that soybeans intake would also help in cancer prevention plus better heart health, better blood sugar control etc. Intake of prunes: One cup of prunes or dried plums contains 60mcg of vitamin K. There are also other benefits of prunes like improved blood sugar control, improved BP, boost heart health etc. Intake of olive oil: Best cooking oil that has vitamin k in it is olive oil. Information is that one tablespoon of olive oil would have 8mcg of vitamin K. There are many advantages of olive oil such as improved digestion, heart health, controlled BP etc. Intake of cheese: One serving or half ounce of cheddar cheese would have 4mcg of vitamin K in them. Truth is that 1.5 ounces of mozzarella would have 2mcg of vitamin K. Intake of cheese would also improve our bone health, dental health, Gut health, weight management etc. Vitamin K deficiency: If a person does not have enough vitamin K, then he or she is said to be vitamin K deficient. They would show symptoms like easy bruising, prolonged bleeding, bleeding from nose, blood in urine, heavy menstrual bleeding, small blood clot under nails etc.

Do you get harmless but frustrating hiccups often? An involuntary spasm of the diaphragm (a large muscle that separates abdomen and chest) is termed as hiccups. It must be noted that sudden closure of glottis could lead to hiccups and this is often revealed by a gulping sound. There are some common reasons for getting hiccups and these are Daily habits: It must be taken into note that by eating fast or overeating or eating spicy foods our diaphragm would get irritated. This can lead to hiccups. Sudden changes in temperature: We can get hiccups if we suddenly change from hot teat to chilled water. The nerves linked to diaphragm would get stimulated by this. This can lead to spasms. Excitement & stress: Our nervous system can get over-stimulated when w e feel anxious, stressed or even in excitement etc. This can lead to hiccups in us. Metabolic issues: There are also possibilities of getting chronic hiccups due to kidney disease or dye to electrolyte imbalance etc. Medical conditions: There are chances of getting chronic hiccups when we have GI disorders, injury to nerves, strokes, encephalitis etc. Lung conditions like pulmonary embolism pneumonia etc can also cause chronic hiccups. Length of hiccups: It is worthy to note that most hiccups would be there for some minutes. No treatment is needed for this. Sometimes, hiccups would be present in us for hours or even days tighter. This is serious and must be treated without fail. In such a situation, it is necessary to visit a gastroenterologist or a doctor compulsorily. Home remedies for hiccups: By holding breath: In the first step, we must inhale deeply and next we must hold the breath for 10 to 20 seconds. By this, carbon dioxide would get increased in the lungs and diaphragm would get relaxed. Hiccups would not be there By sipping cold water slowly: Vagus nerve would get stimulated by sipping cold water slowly. This would further cause the diaphragm to relax. By pulling knees to chest and leaning forward: Diaphragm would get relaxed by pulling knees towards the chest. This would stop hiccups. By gargling with ice water: Nerves in the throat would get stimulated by doing this. This would disrupt the hiccup cycle. By biting a lemon: Taste receptors would get activated due to sourness of the lemon and this would stop hiccups from coming. By eating peanut butter: Not many would know that eating peanut butter can also stop hiccups from happening. Truth is that sticky texture would make us focus on swallowing. Breathing would get altered. By gentle burping etc: When we swallow air, we could get hiccups. We could get relief by releasing the air. Therefore, this is also an important and effective remedy.  

Cravings for all kinds of foods are common during the pregnancy stage. Hormone base changes, increased nutritional requirements etc could cause the food cravings in the pregnant mothers. Pregnancy is a very important stage in the lives of a woman and during pregnancy she must not eat all kinds of foods.  Bitter fact is that there are some foods that could be harmful for her health. These below mentioned foods must be avoided by pregnant mothers. The foods are Avoid high mercury fishes: It is worthy to note here that fishes like mackerel, tune etc would accumulate mercury in them and consuming these fishes would be risky for a pregnant mother. If a pregnant mother consumes these types of fishes then it could impair the foetal brain development. There would be more chances of cerebral palsy and cognitive delays in the newborns. Please be careful. Avoid uncooked meat, poultry, eggs etc: Pregnant women could get listeriosis if she eats uncooked or raw meat, poultry foods, eggs etc. Listeria bacteria could lead to miscarriage in pregnant women. There are chances of stillbirth and newborn infections even without symptoms in the mother. It is worthy to note that undercooked eggs would have Salmonella that could infect the foetus and lead to meningitis and sepsis etc. Avoid unpasteurised milk, juice etc: Point is that raw milk could have Salmonella, Listeria etc and these bacteria could cause miscarriage or other serious problems in newborns. Therefore, the pregnant woman must drink only juices and dairy labelled pasteurised. Avoid unwashed produce and raw sprout etc: Bacteria E. coli could grow on the sprouts as sprouts are often found growing in humid and warm conditions. If a pregnant mother consumes these sprouts, then she could get pregnancy loss and neonatal infections etc due to E.Coli and Listeria from unwashed sprouts. It is necessary to wash sprouts thoroughly with water and cook them before consuming them. Avoid herbal teas also: In the early pregnancy, drinking herbal teas could be unsafe. Few examples of herb based teas are nettle, alfalfa etc. Point is that pregnant mothers can drink these herbal teas in moderate amounts but not in excess amounts.  Concentrated homemade infusions must not be consumed unless it is approved by the provider. Truth is that these herbal teas can lead to menenstrual bleeding, miscarriage, birth defects etc. Avoid excess caffeine: It is said that excess intake of caffeine could cross the baby. It is better to consult the doctor before drinking caffeine based drinks. It must be noted that excess intake of caffeine by pregnant mothers could cause miscarriage plus other complications in them. So, please be careful.

Have you come across the term beer belly and thought what it is all about? Cracking open a beer bottle with a group of friends is one of the most common ways to relax for many youngsters these days. It is okay to drink beer once a while or rarely. The alcohol content in beer (4% to 6%) is less than those like whiskey, vodka, wine etc. This doesn`t guarantee that drinking beer can be safe for health How many know the bitter truth that drinking beer frequently or daily can be harmful for health? From the malted cereal grain, a carbonated fermented alcohol based drink is prepared and this is beer.  Beer contains numerous ingredients like calories, proteins, carbohydrates, sugar plus others like alcohol, magnesium, phosphorus etc. There are several signs that could indicate that you might be drinking too much beer or drinking beer daily. These are constant bloating, bloating, digestive discomfort, interrupted sleep, mood swings, irritability etc . Drinking beer every day or frequently can harm us in these ways. Liver health would get affected: Our liver would get affected if we consume beer frequently or daily. Inflammation in our body would get triggered by drinking beer. Our liver would get damaged by excessive beer intake due to oxidative stress. Gut heath would deteriorate: When we consume beer frequently our gut microbiome would get affected. Gut microbiome refers to both good and bad bacteria in equal amounts.  We could get many issues like bloating, diarrhoea, poor nutrient absorption etc by drinking beer often. Heart health would get affected: It is known that the heart is a very important organ in our body. Therefore, it is highly necessary that we must keep our heart health in good shape. By drinking beer daily, our blood pressure would increase and we could get serious issues like heart disease, strokes etc. It must be noted that long term intake of beer could lead to strain on our cardiovascular system. Brain health would decline: Drinking beer with friends could be great fun but it would affect brain health. It is believed that drinking beer daily would interfere with the brain`s communication pathways. This would slow down the reaction time, create confusion and might lead to memory issues. The risk of getting dementiaia would be more if we drink beer frequently. This has been published in a health magazine also. Leads to belly fat and obesity etc: It is true that drinking beer frequently or daily could lead to weight gain or beer belly. Visceral fat would accumulate especially around the abdomen area. This could lead to obesity issues. The reason for this is due to the presence of calories in beer.

If there is one issue in women that would totally wipe out their self confidence, then it is the excess facial hair growth!! Truth is that women would feel down and depressed with this facial hair growth issue. They would get humiliated by others and this would lead to frustration etc. There are some medical treatments available that would remove excess facial hair growth in women. Certain changes in the diet can also bring wonderful changes and it could provide a solution to the facial hair issue in women. Reason for facial hair growth in woman explained: It is noteworthy that increase in androgens in women could result in facial hairs in women. Androgens are male sex hormones and when it is in excess then it would stimulate hair follicles to produce thick dark hairs. This condition is called hirsutism. It must be noted that hormonal imbalances due to PCOS or medications or underlying endocrine disorders etc can lead to hirsutism in women. These dietary changes can reduce excess facial hair growth in women. Drinking spearmint tea: By drinking spearmint tea every day, free testosterone and other androgen levels in the body would get reduced. By this, facial hair growth would get controlled. It is possible to support hormonal balance naturally by drinking spearmint tea. Consuming citrus fruits: The testosterone levels in women would get lowered by intake of citrus fruits containing vitamin C. Examples of citrus fruits are grapefruit, lemon, oranges etc.  Inositol intake would be boosted by the intake of citrus fruits. Consuming citrus fruits daily would improve immunity and skin health also. Consuming cinnamon water: Blood sugar levels in us would be balanced by consuming cinnamon water. It is believed that better insulin sensitivity would result in healthier androgen control. This would reduce excess facial hair growth in women. Post meal metabolism would be maintained by the intake of cinnamon water. Consuming pumpkin seeds: The zinc present in pumpkin would block the enzyme that would be responsible for increase in testosterone levels. Hormone health would get better by the intake of these seeds. The presence of healthy fats and proteins in these seeds are superb for health. Consuming cooked cruciferous vegetables: Body`s ability to metabolise oestrogen effectively would be supported by the intake of cooked cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli etc. The hormonal balance would be promoted and factors resulting in facial hair growth would be reduced. Consuming soaked fenugreek seeds: Androgen levels would get lowered and insulin function would get enhanced by consuming soaked fenugreek vegetables. By this, women would not get facial hair growth. It must be noted that this traditional remedy works well for hormonal regulation. Consuming turmeric: The inflammation in a woman would get lowered if she consumes turmeric rich in cucurmin. Moreover, androgen activity would get modulated and it would help in hormonal balance. Daily intake of turmeric would also provide many health benefits like improved heart health, avoid cancer, treating Alzheimer`s disease etc. 

Do you get pimples again and again even after taking care of your face very well? Do you get frustrated due to these pimples? Truth is that pimples not only will occur on the face but even on other parts also. Our body conditions would be revealed by these pimples. Point is that when our body is struggling with some issue inside then it would be shown outside. These conditions are revealed by the pimples on these body parts: Pimples on forehead: It must be taken into account that if you get pimples on your forehead then it could be because of the digestive issue inside. Issues such as gas, constipation of liver issue would be shown by pimples on forehead. Those persons with forehead pimples must drink plenty of water and must reduce oily foods intake. Pimples on nose: Heart health and blood pressure are indicated by frequent pimples on the nose. It is learnt that excess stress, poor lifestyle and intake of oily foods could lead to pimples on the nose. In such a situation, we must reduce our stress. Pimples on the cheeks: Weakness of lungs or pollution can lead to pimples on the cheeks. Those living in dusty environments would have this issue. Pimples on the cheeks could also be due to non-washing the pillows. Pimples on skin and jaw: Hormone based changes or before menstruation could lead to pimples on skin and jaw. The hormonal balance disruption is shown by pimples on skin and jaw. Pimples between eyebrows: If the liver is not cleansed, then there are possibilities of getting pimples between eyebrows. Truth is that when toxins get accumulated in the body then the liver would get impaired. Pimples under the eyes: Too much stress and dehydration can result in pimples under the eyes. Lack of proper hydration can lead to puffiness, pimples etc under the eyes. Pimples on temples: Persons who have disorders related to kidneys and urinary bladder would get pimples on the sides of forehead or temple area. It is known that a temple is an area present t between the edge of the forehead and ear.

Do you know how our body would get the much needed 3S that is structure, strength and support? It is by means of a protein called collagen. Sounds superb right!! What exactly is Collagen? It is worthy to mention here that the protein present in the extracellular matrices of the connective tissues of animals is collagen. The most abundant protein in mammal collagen forms about 25% of the protein content. There are numerous health benefits of collagen such as better skin health, relieves joint pain, boosts muscle mass, and prevents bone loss. Other benefits are collagen improves heart health, gut health and even brain health also. For increasing the collagen production naturally it is essential that we must drink certain juices. These are Intake of green leaf juice: The vitamin C and chlorophyll present in green leafy vegetables would help in collagen production. By drinking this juice, our skin would get rejuvenated and our body would get cleansed. Intake of pineapple juice: By drinking pineapple juice with bromelain, collagen production would be induced. Our body would be kept active by vitamin C antioxidants etc in it. Intake of mango juice: Our skin would get moisture and collagen production would be stimulated by drinking mango juice. This juice has vitamins like A, C and E etc. Our skin health would be good in the summers by drinking fresh mango juice. Intake of orange juice: It is necessary that for collagen production vitamin C is important. Orange juice has got this vitamin and by drinking orange juice collagen would be produced. Intake of aloe vera juice: Collagen production would be stimulated by drinking aloe vera juice having amino acids and vitamin C etc. Our hairs would get superb strength and joint pain would get reduced etc by drinking this juice. Intake of carrot-beetroot juice: The high vitamin A content of carrot and iron and antioxidants in beetroot would increase the skin elasticity. Intake of lemon-honey water: The vitamin C present in lemon would help in collagen production and the anti-bacterial properties of honey would help in boosting our skin health. Our body would get detoxified by combining lemon and honey in warm water and consuming the combo. Intake of papaya juice: It is worthy to note that drinking this juice containing papain, vitamin C and vitamin A etc would help in the collagen production.

We often consider vegetable skin or peels or the outer layers useless and remove them before cooking isn`t it!! Not many of us would be aware that there are vegetables whose peels have many nutrients in them and eating these vegetables with peels would be amazing for our health. We must eat these veggies with their peels for the sake of health benefits. Intake of Carrot peel: It is noteworthy that the peel of carrot is rich in antioxidants and fibres etc. hence, consuming carrot with peels would boost our vision (due to beta carotene) plus it would improve our digestion also (due to fibres. Intake of tomato peel: Lycopene is present in the tomato peel and it boosts heart health and skin health etc. Removing tomato skin or peel would decrease its benefits and therefore we must eat tomato with its skin. Intake of brinjal peel: It must be noted that anthocyanin is present in brinjal skin and it would lower inflammation in the body. Moreover, it would improve our heart health also. Iron and potassium present are very beneficial for us. Therefore, it is advised to wash brinjal lightly and cook rather than peeling it off. There are also other superb health benefits of eating brinjal peel and these are improved brain health, anticancer properties, blood sugar control etc. Intake of bottle gourd peel: It is true that bottle gourd peel is a superb source of vitamins, minerals, fibres etc and eating this vegetable with its skin would help in digestion, weight management etc. Intake of cucumber peel: Potassium, silica and fibre and vitamin A are present in the peel of cucumber. Intake of cucumber peel would improve our hair health and skin health etc.

Have you heard about a fruit that is yellowish in colour with a hard shell outside and with sweet musky tangy pulp inside? The fruit that is mentioned here is bael fruit or wood apple in English or vilampazham in Tamil. It is worthy to note that bael apple or wood apple is seen growing in countries such as India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka etc. There are many health benefits of eating this fruit. The benefits are this bael fruit improves digestion, prevents dehydration, boosts skin health, manages asthma etc. Bael juice is consumed by many is known fact. There are certain persons with health conditions who must avoid drinking bael juice Those with health conditions or health issues mentioned below must not drink bael juice. Persons with diabetes: Those with diabetes must not drink this juice as it would increase their sugar content. It must be noted that those taking insulin or diabetes medicines must not drink bael juice.  Persons with poor digestion: In some persons, intake of bael juice could lead to constipation, gas, acidity etc. Truth is that those with weak digestion must avoid this juice as it would worsen their issues. Persons with ulcer: When some persons drink this juice it would irritate their stomach linings and this can be due to some elements present in this juice. Those with gastric ulcers must avoid drinking bael juice as it could aggravate the ulcer. Pregnant mothers: It is noteworthy that pregnant mothers must not drink bael juice as it could lead to uterine contractions and miscarriage etc. There are also chances of hormonal imbalances in women if they drink bael juice. Persons with low BP: By drinking bael juice, blood pressure would get reduced. If the person already has low BP, then he or she must not drink bael juice as it could lead to dizziness, fainting etc. Persons with kidney issues: Those with kidney disorders must not drink bael juice. It must be noted that potassium rich bael juice would interfere with Kidney functions. This could worsen the kidney conditions of the person.

How many of us know the fact that our nervous system would set the tone for the entire day? Yes, it`s true!! Nervous system refers to the brain, spinal cord and complex network of nerves. Point is that the main roles of the nervous system are receiving sensory information, processing the information or integration and responding with motor output. By beginning the day in a wrong way, our nervous system would change for that particular day or it could make us feel rushed. It is necessary that there are certain daily rituals or habits that we must follow without fail for our nervous system to function well. Truth is that the first hour after we wake up is crucial. The reason is that this first hour is essential for our cortisol rhythm, circadian clock alignment and stress resilience building etc. The daily rituals are Exposure to sunlight: Our health is linked to the sunlight. The vitamin D from sunlight is very powerful as it would improve our mood and boost our physical as well as our mental state. It is highly necessary that we must get exposed to sunlight for atleast 15 to 20 minutes every day. By this, our circadian rhythm as well as sleep would get better. Body movements: Our nervous system would get boosted by daily stretching for atleast 5 minutes after waking up in the morning. The stretching would straighten out the spine plus set the organs in position. At Least 5 to 10minutes of yoga daily in the morning would have a huge impact on our nervous system. This would boost our memory and learning etc. Hydration: Nothing could boost our nervous system more than the water we drink after waking up in the morning. By drinking water, our morning fatigue would go away. Our system would be prepared for the day. Delaying caffeine intake: Our anxiety could become more and we could get afternoon crashes when we consume caffeine early. It is worthy to note that excess intake of caffeine after waking up in the morning can interfere with the body`s natural cortisol rhythm and affect our digestive system. Doing Humming or Bhramari pranayama: It is good to do humming after waking up in the morning. This would activate our vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system would get enhanced. The sympathetic activation would be slowed down.