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Eating disorders – How are you perceived in society?

When you think of an eating disorder, not only do you conjure up images of someone starving themselves, but also the other end of the spectrum – namely, binge eating. And yet, even as the best of us understand that there is a psychological challenge underlying the outward manifestation of an eating disorder, we are also constant purveyors of a stigma that is attached to it. People who have eating disorders, whichever kind it may be, feel judged constantly by their friends and families. There is a tendency to feel judged by others for being vain, or shallow – to want to pursue an appearance that they deem fit, or to seek comfort in food. But the truth is very different. By and large, people with eating disorders are reluctant to seek help because of the judgment they face.

To be an empathetic supporter of those who have eating disorders, here are a few things to bear in mind.

Social pressure – A person with an eating disorder is not doing this for vanity or attention when they resort to anorexia or bulimia. On the contrary, they struggle with self-esteem issues and social pressure to conform to what is considered an ideal body type.

Body image – There is a common misunderstanding that body image issues affect only women – when the truth is that body image issues are as much a challenge that men and young boys grapple with – and the eating disorder is often coupled with relying on unrealistic techniques to build or sculpt a body to a certain standard.

Binge eating – Binge eating and obesity that stems from that is not a result of just an uncontrollable urge or love for food, but rather, a result of a variety of issues that include loneliness or isolation, devaluation of one’s worth, or even stress.

Psychological problem – In dealing with eating disorders, one of the key elements to bear in mind is that eating is only just a part of the larger picture. The person with an eating disorder is clearly going through a psychological problem and that needs to be addressed before the manifestation is treated.

Reference:

https://www.recoveryranch.com/articles/eating-disorders/public-perception-of-eating-disorders/

http://www.mirror-mirror.org/society.htm

Stem Cells – Are They The Future Of Healthcare?

Have you heard of the term Stem-cell technology? For those who have the good news is that, the technology you believed to be science fiction is now rapidly growing to be real! For those who haven’t heard, here’s why it is going to be THE future of healthcare.

So what are stem-cells? Stem-cells are the master cells and building blocks of our body. They have a special ability to duplicate & renew themselves into a variety of cell types that can adjust to the requirements of different organs, i.e. a stem cell should be able to identify the signals and mechanisms of an organ and adjust to perform as the organ wants. Ex: to function as a brain cell or a muscle cell, a simply blood cell, etc.

There are 2 types of stem cells:
1. Adult stem cells –present in bone marrow, blood and adipose tissues.
2. Embryonic stem cells – found in the umbilical cord at the time of birth.

Stem cells have the ability to treat or prevent a disease or a condition! Yes, it is like a cure/treatment found within the affected person. The treatment is carried out via a process called Stem Cell Therapy.

Now that we understood what a stem cell is and what it can do (in a nutshell), take a moment to think how you and your loved ones could be saved by preserving your stem cells? If saving yours turns outs to be too much in the future to think about, consider saving your future-child’s which can be extracted from the umbilical cord at birth.

Conditions & diseases that stem cell can help treating are:

Cancer treatments
Genetic diseases
Cardiovascular diseases
Diabetes
Organ dis-functioning (treating burns, kidney/ liver failure, brain damage, hearing loss, impairment of vision, etc.)
Autism
HIV

And the list goes on. One major obstacle this technology is facing at this phase would be it being tedious and expensive, which we hope over time will be feasible at a more reasonable rate.

Finally, from curing a minor condition to treating a fatal disease, we do have to acknowledge the potential that this technology has and can conclude that this most definitely will define the future of healthcare.

References:

https://www.cordlifeindia.com/about-stem-cells

http://www.eurostemcell.org/types-stem-cells-and-their-uses

HAVE OODLES OF ZOODLES!

If you have been trying to eat cut those carbs but you succumb to the temptation of pasta, you must be wanting that perfect dish which brings together health and taste… Get ready to welcome Zoodles into your life!

What is it?

Zucchini Noodles, is essentially spiralized summer squash, which is made to look like ribbons of pasta.

What are the benefits?

The dish is healthy, gluten-free, grain-free, low carb, and totally unprocessed. It’s a great way to increase the intake of vegetables in your diet, as well as other vitamins and nutrients which processed pasta cannot give you. And if you’re feeding this to kids who are picky about vegetables – nothing like it!

How is it a good replacement to pasta?

Well, consider this.

1 cup of cooked pasta = 221 calories = 43g Carbs.

1 cup of Zoodles = 25 calories = 4.6g carbs & ton of additional nutrients!

Need we say more?

How do you make Zoodles?

Wash and trim the ends of the zucchini. Place the zucchini between the spiked handle end and the blade, then turn the handle and voila! You now have beautiful ribbons of zoodles.

How do you serve the Zoodles?

Zoodles can be eaten raw, they can be lightly steamed, they can be seasoned with olive oil or they can be added to a sauce with vegetables… The possibilities are endless (and delicious!) You can also add some extra protein by topping it with eggs or chicken, making it all the more beneficial.

And while it might taste different from pasta, just remember – we can also eat with our eyes! 😉

Reference:

http://www.ditchthecarbs.com/2015/09/21/what-are-zoodles/

Outdoor activities that are actually fitness routines

What is the first thing people do when they decide to get fit? Sign up for an exercise class!

You probably think fitness involves spending a lot of money and signing up for expensive gyms or exercise classes. This is far from the truth.

There are so many outdoor activities that can actually be a fun fitness routine!

Whether it is a run on the beach or playing football with your friends – there are so many ways in which you can get fit without it feeling like a chore.

The whole point of fitness is to move and physically exert yourself – posh gym mirrors and fancy equipment are just new age add-ons!

Here are some outdoor activities that can actually be excellent fitness routines.

1. Cycling

Remember when cycling was just about letting your hair down and going around with friends? Your favourite childhood activity can become a trusted fitness routine. Cycling is actually a lot of fun and whether you want to bike to work or choose to set aside some time for cycling, it can be a great way to get fit!

2. Playing a sport

It could be tennis, badminton or cricket – no matter what your favourite sport is it is surely a great way to stay fit. You will not only burn fat and get in shape but you also get to learn a new skill.

3. Hiking

What if you could have fun with your friends or explore new places while still getting fit at the same time? Going on a hike is your best bet! It is an excellent way to build strong legs as you walk your way up while at the same time – it definitely will not feel like exercise!

4. Swimming

Going for a swim is really relaxing and is also a real fun way to stay healthy. Swimming can be a great fitness regime because not only is it great cardio but unlike many other exercises, you don’t lose the motivation to keep at it because it is so much more exciting.

5. Running

Going out for a run not just clears your head and keeps you fresh – it is great exercise! When done regularly and on a consistent basis, it can be an excellent fitness routine. What’s more? All you need is a pair of shoes to get started.

6. Surfing

Surfing is not just a fun activity and an excuse to get outdoors and on the beach – it is also an amazing way to stay in shape. While surfers do look like all they do is relax it is a very physically strenuous activity that can help you stay fit!

How Does Social Media Contribute To Depression

In today’s world, social media has become a huge part of our lives. With the promise of connecting friends, bringing people closer and constantly giving a space to interact with people, what could possibly go wrong with social media?

The fact is, it just might be making all of us lonelier than we think.

There are significant emotional risks when someone is using social media – the risk becomes significantly higher if it is a teenager or an adolescent in question!

Using social media moderately is a great way to ensure that you benefit out of the positive things without falling prey to the negativity but here are a few ways in which social media can contribute to depression.

1. Online Bullying

Online bullying and cyber-stalking is a serious concern especially if the person being bullied is a minor – since social media is a platform where we share so much private information including our photos and personal details there is a lot of scope for falling prey to this. The inability to handle cyber stalking in the right manner by reporting it and taking further action can really cause someone to sink into depression.

2. Constantly questioning ones self-worth

Facebook gives us an invitation into the lives of people we know very well, friends or even acquaintances – the problem is it gives us an invitation only to the best part of their lives. Everybody is constantly posting about their success, happy relationships, travel and perfect lives while it instills in us a sense of uselessness without realising that nobody is posting about their troubles online!

3. Increases Anxiety

People who use various social media platforms and constantly keep switching between these applications tend to develop attention deficiency and the inability to focus on a job at hand – this tends to evoke mood related disorders and also increase anxiety which can ultimately lead to depression.

4. Prevents you from making actual connections

Being constantly active on social media gives you a false sense of being close to a lot of people – when was the last time you met someone over a cup of coffee? Social media keeps us in this illusion that we have people in our lives even if they are just in the virtual world. This can sometimes make us compromise on actual human connections which would actually make us really lonely.

5. Constant need to be clued in

When you develop a huge network of friends online, you feel the constant need to be clued in to what is happening in each of these platforms – this leaves very little time and attention for the rest of very real world things including focusing on work or relationships! When this becomes a habit it definitely tends to become depression.

10 Foods that Cause the Blues

“You are what you eat” – clichéd but true.

All the junk food that we eat doesn’t just affect our physical health – it affects our mental health too. In the run up to World Health day 2017, with depression as the focus, it’s high time that we take into consideration that out diet plays a huge role in our mood swings. Not only does junk food lack most of the ‘good’ brain foods, it actually contains many that are ‘bad’ for mental health conditions, including white sugars, caffeine, deep fried foods, pesticides, refined carbs and additives such as MSG and aspartame. Also, if your diet is void of essential nutrients, you are setting yourself up for panic attacks and bad moods.

Fortunately, food habits are not hard to change. Here are 10 types that you need to avoid or consume in small quantities to ensure a happy and healthy life:

1. Sugar: When our blood glucose levels are too high, our growth of both synapses and neurones plummet – and this can lead to a severe case of the blues.

2. Artificial Sweeteners: The ingredient called aspartame stops your body from producing serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is vital to a good mood.

3. Caffeine: Caffeine is a well-known contributor to depression, but its effects vary from person to person. However, if you drink 2 or more cups of coffee per day and can’t lift your mood, you should cut it out completely and see what happens.

4. Alcohol: Alcohol does banish the blue, but temporarily. It is actually more of a depressant and ultimately depresses your entire central nervous system!

5. Processed Foods: These foods are not natural and contain chemicals and fats that alter your mood for the worse.

6. Canned Soup: Easy to store, carry and cook and good for the taste buds, these pseudo healthy foods are as bad as all other processed foods.

7. Fast Food: Convenient, cheap, amazing flavours, what’s not to like about fast food?! Bad fat from a burger can not just make you put on weight but also affect your brain and alter your mood for the worse.

8. Gluten: Research now confirms that Celiac disease and gluten intolerance are linked to depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Even if you are not intolerant, cutting out or reducing gluten (wheat, rye, barley etc.) from your diet is a good thing.

9. Trans Fats: Bad Fat = Unsaturated Fat = Trans Fat. They cause cellular destruction and can affect hormone production reducing serotonin which in turn can cause depression.

10. Chocolate: Are we scaring you? All chocolate is not bad, only the sickeningly sweet varieties as they contain large amounts of sugar or sweeteners. Small amounts of dark chocolate are in fact considered good for your brain and body.

Reference:

http://www.mentalhealthy.co.uk/news/963-junk-food-and-mental-health.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-resilient-brain/201506/trans-fats-bad-your-brain

http://www.beautyandtips.com/healthy-eating/10-foods-that-cause-depression-and-anxiety/

Exercises that help cope with depression

One of the best ways to cope with depression is to get out there and exercise – there is no two ways about it! Exercise comes with a whole lot of benefits – keeps you fit, helps you stay active and also releases endorphins that are great mood-boosters.

While any exercise is a great way to fight depression, anxiety – there are some specific exercises that you can do to help cope with depression.

Here are a few must-do workouts in case you are dealing with depression or in general looking for a mood-lift.

1. Running

When it comes to fighting depression, exercises that are cardio intense help you the best. Quite simply, moving is the first step. “Runners high” is when you are moving and exercise is stimulating your brain chemicals. If you want to pick up an exercise to fight depression, the best place to start would be with something that is cardio intense.

2. Yoga

Yoga combines the right mix of exercises and breathing – those who have picked up yoga show that they have reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Doing yoga regularly helps you to stay calm, fit and not just benefits the physical body but also keeps you mentally fit.

3. Get Outdoors More Often

The most important thing here is to get outdoors – it doesn’t even matter if you don’t have a structured workout plan! The idea is to get fresh air and get outside as much as you can because this helps tackle feelings of anxiety and depression.

4. Build Muscles

Strength training over a period of time really helps you to boost happiness – strengthening your muscles requires control and precision and doing this consistently over a period of time is undoubtedly a great mind boost!

References

http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression-pictures/great-exercises-to-fight-depression.aspx#07

Beat the heat – How to take care of your summer skin!

Whether we like it or not, summer is officially here – and it’s here to stay for a while.

The body is subjected to a lot of changes along with the weather – but here is how your skin can beat the heat:

1. Hydration: The importance of drinking a lot of water just cannot be underlined enough. Drink at least 2.5 litres of fluids a day! Apart from preventing dizziness and dehydration, it’s also the secret to that summer glow!

2. Apply (and reapply!) sunscreen: Now, you get sun-screens that are perfectly compatible to every type of skin type – oily, dry, sensitive, and more. To avoid getting a painful sunburn and risk of diseases like skin cancer, make sure you apply sun-screen before you brave the outside. For the face, about a teaspoon would be ideal, and for the body – as much as would fill a shot glass.

3. Cooling gels: Forgot the sunscreen or developed a heat rash? there is nothing as soothing as a cooling gel, or aloe vera. Gently apply it over the reddened area to reduce swelling and redness.

4. Moisturize & exfoliate: while this is advised for all seasons and all reasons, moisturizing and exfoliating is important especially in summer. It removes dead cells, cleans out your pores and most of all – prevents dry skin!

5. Wear protective clothing: there is no such thing as “too careful”! apart from the sun-screen, make sure to wear some light-coloured fabrics to keep the heat level down and light-weight fabrics to be comfortable. And accessories go a long way too! A hat provides permanent shade for your facial skin, and sunglasses protect the sensitive area around your eyes.

So there you go – rather than worrying about rashes, dry skin, and sunburn, you can now go out and enjoy the good things about summer!

Reference:

http://www.dermalogica.com/top-6-summer-skin-tips/ys_skinaging_2,default,pg.html

How can you exercise power over addiction?

Getting addicted to unnecessary habits might be easy but getting out of it might be a little tough but it’s definitely not impossible. Regardless of the kind of addiction, though it’s not easy, admitting that you have a problem is always the first step to overcome it.

Best remedy to keep your mind off is start exercising. It helps to ease addiction and make you feel better. Now it’s time to make a plan that includes different kinds of exercises.

Here are few exercises you can start for a fresh new beginning and live life to the fullest again:

1. Begin with Yoga

For addiction treatments, unrolling your yoga mat is first part of recovery. Strengthen your body by inculcating power yoga in your daily routine, which releases dopamine in the brain. Less intense workouts can be medication which helps unpack anxiety and stress that can trigger relapse. It also allows you to start having control of your mind and staying calm.

2. Outdoor Activities

Enjoying the various outdoor activities can boost dopamine levels during addiction treatment. A simple 10 – 15 mins will help stave off cravings when they arise. A brisk stroll outside or swimming for a while can also boost overall brain function by supporting growth of new brain cell.

3. Strength Training

Getting started with cardio is a good idea, but there are different recovery benefits like lifting a few weights. Main issue all recovering patients suffer from is Insomnia. Weight training or body weight exercises help you feel tired / exhausted which drains your energy and puts you to sleep. This will slowly help to build your sleep cycle.

4. Team Sports

Running to hit the goal or hitting the ball hard for a 6 with your friends is a good workout. Socializing with people who are nowhere near the addiction you have had, helps bring you back to the society and feel good. It also helps you learn and makes you much more confident about yourself.

Reference:
https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/how-exercise-can-prime-the-brain-for-addiction/?_r=0

http://www.doctorcounselor.com/addictiontopower.html

https://www.addictioncenter.com/community/sweating-it-out-exercise-and-addiction-recovery/

Foods That Promote Fertility

Today, a lot of young couples are struggling with fertility issues and when it comes to fertility, many imagine that it is something that one cannot do anything about. We believe in complicated treatments and tablets but also think that there is not much we can do from our part.

However, a lot of our lifestyle choices including the food we take, our exercise patterns, sleep-cycles and the amount of stress we undergo can affect fertility.

While the other factors are all about just making a healthy over-all change to your lifestyle, here are a few diet specific things you can do to boost your fertility.

1. Increase protein intake

Increasing protein is a good thing to do whether or not you are looking to improve your fertility –it helps drop the risk of ovulatory infertility. Not just this, protein in general prevents you from putting on too much weight and obesity is one of the most serious issues when it comes to fertility.

2. Green Leafy Vegetables

Folate is present in green leafy vegetables that is said to promote fertility in males – make sure you include lots of leafy vegetables and eat more salads to improve your folate intake. Including green leafy vegetables to your diet not just boosts fertility but also makes your diet more wholesome and healthy in general.

3. Whole Milk

High fat dairy products as a constituent of a diet is said to improve fertility! Low-fat dairy products, although there is no conclusive research, is said to interfere with fertility – while you do not have to eliminate these from your diet keep them in control when you are looking to boost your fertility.

4. Avoid Processed Food

Eating real food vs highly processed foods helps boost fertility – bad carbohydrates and overly processed foods are digested fast by the body and turned into blood sugar. Real food and good carbohydrates are digested slowly and have a more gradual effect on your body. High insulin levels are linked to lower fertility rates and hence, eating real food and good carbohydrates is good for fertility!

References

http://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/fertility-boosting-foods

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