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Super Fooods For a Healthy Liver

The liver is the seat of a person’s well-being. When there is anything wrong with the liver, the whole body goes into a state of disarray. It is the organ with one of the most important functions: of doing away with all the bad and retaining all the good for your body – by taking out all that is harmful from the blood stream and retaining all the nutrients within. A fully functioning liver ensures that the body remains in a state of good health. To keep your liver in a healthy state, here are some foods that you would do well to include in your everyday diet.
– Beetroots: Beetroots are high in a nutrient called plant flavonoids, which are useful for the overall functioning of the liver and regulating the production of bile for digestive reasons.
– Nuts are rich in nutrient resources such as glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients help by supporting the liver through encouraging an inner cleansing process.
– Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, cabbage and celery make your liver function well. The presence of nutrient value in them that helps to neutralise metals, chemicals and pesticides that are found in the food, and in turn, protect the liver comfortably.
– Green Tea is a very rich resource for antioxidants from plants, called as catechins. Catechins are scientifically proven to have the capacity to improve the liver’s functioning.
– Water is a very important and vital resource to help the functioning of your liver. Your body needs to have the right amount of water in a day to help circulation and to help flush out unnecessary toxins.
– Fibrous foods are very rich in fibre, as their names suggest, and therefore exercise the digestive organs strongly. This helps create a sense of digestive orderliness and helps the liver in staying healthy.
– Garlic: A single pod of garlic has tremendous power to help keep your liver safe and healthy. It helps your liver by activating enzymes that suitably help by flushing out toxins, and also contains high amounts of allicin and selenium, two naturally occurring compounds that help to keep the liver clean and healthy.
– Aloe Vera juice is a very soothing salve for the body. It helps cool down the system and rid it of toxins, which in turn helps the liver in its functioning.
– Grapefruit as a whole fruit or as a juice work considerably well to flush out carcinogens and toxins. The fruit is high in Vitamin C and antioxidants, which helps keep toxic content at bay.
– Avocados are rich resources for the body to be able to keep the liver in a healthy condition. The presence of glutathione is necessary for the liver to filter out any harmful materials in them.
– Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflowers and Brussels sprouts are rich in organic compounds such as glucosinolate, which helps to increase the extent of enzymes produced for digestion.
– Citrus fruits are valuable nutrient reserves as well, especially in helping the liver in cleansing itself with a complete detoxification by flushing out toxins.

References:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09/13/foods-for-liver_n_1880715.html

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/15-ways-to-boost-your-liver-for-great-health.html

http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/top-6-natural-remedies-to-keep-your-liver-healthy/

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How Water Aerobics Help You Stay Fit And Live Longer

Working out in the modern day brings with it a range of options: whether in the form of outdoor sports or indoor activities, regimented activities or those that you do by yourself. One of the most popular kinds of activities that are doing the rounds today is aqua aerobics – a fitness routine that combines the best of both – aerobics and water workouts. Here are some of the main reasons why it is a must-do activity!
– It’s perfect for everyone. Regardless of whether you can swim or not, it is a great way to get into the pool and get your fitness quotient to ride high.
– Aqua aerobics is a highly customisable form of fitness, where you get to work out according to your abilities, but still walk away having had a good workout at the end of it all.
– You get to feel good about your exercise routine. It is not competitive, it is not demanding, and you just get to focus on your own ability to do the movements rather than to keep up with everyone.
– Your body gets to choose the pace and extent to which you move, because it is really the instrument of the exercise in itself.
– Regardless of your fitness levels, aqua aerobics has plenty of options to offer – whether you are a mother to be, or an arthritic person, or recovering from injury, or have never worked out at all.
– It is a comfortable workout option smack centre in summer, and lets you cool off even as you work out.
– Aqua aerobics helps you workout without even knowing that you are working out. Because the water is so buoyant, you don’t even feel that you’re strengthening your body, and you get to work out without much strain.
– It helps you relieve yourself of stress and strengthens your muscles.
– Aqua aerobics helps you balance your muscle groups, especially those that tend to become uneven because of repetitive actions.
– Aqua aerobics is not about spot reduction and focusing only on specific areas, you get a whole body workout.
– Working out in water is exceptionally fantastic for your internal organs and for your lymphatic and circulatory systems. The presence of hydrostatic pressure, turbulence and buoyancy in the water help the body feel good after the workout and leaves a lasting impact on the body’s wellbeing.

References:
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/fitness/7-reasons-to-try-aquafit#VJ1Hz4gXm7E3DLXD.97

Picture Courtesy:http://img.webmd.com/

Health Benefits of Turmeric

A bright yellow shade and a peppery bitter taste, a delightful aroma and a melange of health benefits: that just about sums up the humble turmeric. Right from gravies and pickles to medication, turmeric is nearly ubiquitous in the Indian food milieu. A rich ingredient, it is nearly almost always true that no Indian cuisine can thrive without turmeric. Here are a few facts about the delightful spice.
– Turmeric has powerful medicinal properties. It is an anti-inflammatory agent that can help to treat everything from flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties and bloody urine, to haemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, and colic.
– Turmeric is an exceptionally useful antiseptic and helps treats bruises and wounds effectively.
– It is also an inexpensive and quick-working remedy for people who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, or even irritable bowel syndrome.
– Turmeric is a great resource for those seeking relief from Rheumatoid Arthritis, especially for those with painful joint inflammations and arthritic pains.
– Turmeric has healing properties which makes it a good solution for acne and skin ridden with scarring and bruises.
– For those who have Cystic Fibrosis, Turmeric is a great resource, because its component element, curcumin, helps cure Cystic Fibrosis.
– Since turmeric has antioxidant properties, it is also an exceptionally effective remedy against the free radicals that can damage cellular DNA, and in the process, cure or prevent cancer. It inhibits unnecessary cell growth, which therefore helps the body cut back on carcinoma.
– Turmeric is also efficient for the digestive needs of the human body, by encouraging Improved Liver Function.
– It is also capable of preventing the oxidation of cholesterol in the body, and therefore helps to keep heart diseases at bay
– There is also a growing swell of evidence that turmeric is highly effective in protecting the body against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
– Turmeric is also highly effective as a remedy for the common cold – when ingested with warm milk at night, it helps smoothen out the viral infection and its impact on one’s throat.

Reference:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=78

Picture Courtesy: Naf

How to Fall Asleep Right Away

How often have you lain in bed, willing yourself to sleep, but have found yourself unable to? How often have you decided to just hit the sack, but find yourself looking up at the ceiling without any sleep whatsoever? With lives full of pressures, minds full of worries and tensions, and stress levels to the max, it is not an uncommon phenomenon to see more and more people being unable to sleep on time. Here are some ways to ensure that you sleep sooner, and comfortably at that.
– Switch off electronic gadgets around your bed, and if it is possible, avoid having them around your bed altogether because radiation from these gadgets hinders sleep.
– Avoid watching television or a computer screen for at least an hour before your sleep, so your mind is able to disconnect suitably.
– Bathe for a while in a hot water shower, and use scented soaps to help calm your mind enough to sleep
– Read before you sleep, so it helps you de-stress.
– If you know that you are stressed, spend some time unwinding and de-stressing before going to sleep.
– Drink warm milk or warm water before sleeping, and avoid caffeine and soda at any rate..
– Make sure that your vitamins and minerals are in order, for sleeplessness can ensue from deficiencies of nutrients in the body.
– Wear loose and comfortable clothing so that your body breathes easy and you are able to fall asleep better.
– Make it a point to use the bathroom before turning in for the night, so that you do not have to get up again and disrupt your sleep.
– Use aroma oils, particularly lavender, ylang ylang, patchouli and rosemary for a night of sound sleep.
– Sleep in a space that is clutter and junk free, and keep your spaces well ventilated. Switch off the lights at night, use a mild night lamp if you’re not able to sleep in the dark.
– Make sure to eat well before you go to sleep, so that your body can finish digesting the food rather than to do it while you attempt to sleep.

References:
http://fitnesskites.com/how-to-fall-asleep-fast/

Picture Courtesy:  topinspired.com

Why Should You Exercise in the Morning?

That physical exercise is good for the body is not exactly rocket science. It is a time-tested method to ensure that you maintain your fitness levels, your weight and flexibility. Right from maintaining your health to building up muscles, from improving your cardiovascular system to helping you with weight loss, exercise comes with wholesome benefits that can put you on the right track, health wise. Exercising in the morning adds to these benefits abundantly. Here’s why!
– Your body wakes after a long period of rest, where processes are slowed down and you wake up with a system that is slowly waking up as well. When you start the day with exercise, you spike up the metabolism for the day, and encourage your body to kick start its processes with ease.
– Exercising in the morning helps your body get flexible and drives circulation to every part of your body. If you start your day with exercise, the circulation of blood in your body helps you keep fit and to address your activities for the rest of your day with ease.
– Exercising in the morning helps your body eliminate toxins from the blood stream. When you sleep, your body processes slow down and toxins accumulate in the body. With a full workout, these toxins are released through sweat. This lets you start your day on a positive note.
– Exercising helps you recharge your mind and body and helps you gear up for maximum performance, by packing you with the energy you need to get ahead through the day.
– Exercising releases endorphins, or feel good hormones, which sets the tone for the rest of the day by releasing all your stress. This helps you eliminate laziness, sleep and other low moods.
– Furthermore, exercising in the morning increases your body temperature, which help increment the metabolism levels and enhances digestion. This helps you keep indigestion and other digestive disorders at bay, and also helps burn excess fat while strengthening your muscles.
– Exercising in the mornings enforces a kind of discipline in your system. With a sense of drive and motivation, as you approach each morning’s workout regimen, the rest of your day follows suit and falls in line with a sense of time and efficiency.

References:
http://fitnesskites.com/why-should-you-exercise-in-the-morning/
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/how-to-become-a-morning-workout-person
http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/8-ways-get-early-morning-edge

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Yoga for health and fitness

Shilpa Shetty has been the undoubted glam queen of Bollywood. Whether it was in her absolute show of style at Big Brother, or if it was in being a brilliant business baron with owning and managing her IPL team, she certainly knew her way around life. But what takes the cake, though, is how beautifully she has achieved the body of her choice without compromising on health.

A combination of diet and exercises, Shilpa Shetty’s regimen comprises yoga, most significantly – and she’s carved her own niche as a practitioner and teacher, herself. When the practice began, Shilpa was not decidedly as serious about yoga, as she became with time. With the help of her own instructor, she discovered the soul connection that yoga brought to her everyday living – bringing on the rejuvenated state that her mind, body and soul needed for its smooth functioning.  Working towards flexibility and agility as the core goal, she also finds that it helps improve and enhance concentration, and how the body functions as a natural corollary. Using music to help get the relaxation going, she works out in a way that there is not just a physical workout, but also a rigorous and active mental rejuvenation going on. The use of yoga for her personally involves finding a way to release stress and relieve herself from tensions, while also increasing vitality.

Even as her fitness regimen is all consuming in terms of the wholesome approach, Shilpa Shetty is clearly conscious about ensuring not to go overboard. Eating healthy food in moderation and ensuring that she eats on time, her fitness regimen is complemented well by her diet.  The approach to fitness as a mind, body and soul concept, as a mechanism that can comfortable propulsion for the longevity of her well being makes Shilpa Shetty a worthy fitness role model.

References:

http://www.mensxp.com/health/yoga/2946-fitness-tips-from-shilpa-shetty.html

Photo Courtesy:bollywooddhamaalmovies

Foods to boost your memory!

Forgetful much? Or would you rather just have sharp memory? The need to ensure that you are sharp mentally, and in remembering things that you’ve learned or come across is definitely important in a day where information is available on the go sooner than one can account for. Boosting your memory through mind exercises and staying alert is one thing – but the smarter way to approach it is to ensure that you sharpen the mind with nutritious food. Here is a range of food options for a sharper memory.
– Whole grains are a perfect option for a strong memory and for alertness. With complex carbohydrates and Omega 3 fatty acids, rich fibre content and strong nutrient values, whole grains help increment blood circulation and flow to the brains. Sprouted grains are exceptionally rich resources and are the best kinds of whole grains to indulge in.
– Coconut Oil, which is rich in medium chain triglycerides, is useful for boosting one’s memory because it helps increment glucose supply to the brain, while also increasing the resources one’s brain needs to keep Alzheimer’s and Dementia at bay.
– Tomatoes comprise lycopene, a rich and powerful antioxidant, helps keep one’s mood uplifted and to also do away with the risk of dementia. The antioxidants help release free radicals that increase circulation of blood to the brains.
– Nuts are rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, and are treasure troves when it comes to vitamin B6 and vitamin E content. They release free radicals into the brain, which helps increase a strong sense of keenness and improves memory thereby.
– Legumes and Beans are rich in fibre and proteins, which keeps the brains supplied with glucose without spikes in sugar.
– Fish, particularly Salmon and tuna, are considered rich brain foods, what with tremendously high deposits of Omega-3 fatty acids which boosts the memory power and helps prevent Dementia.
– Red Cabbage, or purple cabbage, are perfect for the memory. They comprise a range of antioxidants called polyphenols, which improve the brain’s sharpness and the capacity of the heart to remain free of disease.
– Dark Chocolates contain rich reserves of nutrient value that are perfect for brain health. They improve the mood, ease pain and increase the blood vessel function, which in turn helps to enhance memory and the cognitive function. Dark Chocolates also help increase the feel good hormone, which encourages the brain towards retention and sharpness, and in turn increments its capacity to keep memory related diseases at bay.

References:
http://fitnesskites.com/foods-that-help-boosting-up-your-memory/

PC: bbc.com

Proven Benefits Of Low-Carb Diets

Diets with low carbohydrate quotients in them are considered controversial, and have, for long, been dismissed as improper dietary regimen for the body because they tend to emphasise on the fat and protein intake. However, they are not all bad: especially if the diets you’re looking at are the ketogenic or Paleolithic dietary structure.
The fact of the matter is that carbohydrates can turn into fat, and make you bloat rather than lose weight. Therefore, low carbohydrate diets are highly suitable for many people.

The core advantages of a low carbohydrate diet are as follows:
– Reduced insulin levels ensue by reducing or eliminating carbohydrates from one’s diet. The reduction of carbohydrates automatically reduces the amount of insulin that floats about in the blood plasma, which then helps fat to be eliminated because there is no storage of fat taking place.
– Low carbohydrate diets have the capacity in increasing the amount of weight loss and in burning fat significantly, especially in the initial few months of the diet. There is a reduction in appetite, and there is a reduction of sugar and carbohydrates in the body, which results in an immediate weight loss.
– Diets with low carbohydrate content are also exceptionally useful in stabilizing blood pressure, and therefore create a comfortable impact on the heart. The body begins to become less vulnerable to heart disease and blood pressure instabilities.
– There is also a reduction in the quantity of Triglycerides – the fat molecules in the blood stream – and therefore makes the body less prone to heart diseases.
– For those who have Metabolic Syndrome, low carbohydrate diets are useful solutions because it reduces all the symptoms of metabolic syndrome – such as high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, high triglyceride levels and even an elevated level of fasting blood sugar levels and a reduction in the good cholesterol.
– Another area where low carbohydrate diets help are in cases of people with Type 2 Diabetes. When there is a reduced amount of blood sugar and insulin, managing type 2 diabetes is easier.
– It also helps reduce the extent of C-Reactive Proteins, which is an indicator of inflammation that can be measured in the blood stream. C-Reactive Proteins have been linked to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. Reducing carbohydrate content in the food intake can also consequently help lower the levels of C-Reactive Proteins.

Incorporate a low carbohydrate diet into your lifestyle with some very simple Indian recipes. Try the moong dal dosa, which is made with moong dal soaked overnight and ground into a batter. Another option would be Tomato Omelets, which can be made by mixing besan, chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, salt, turmeric and water and then spread onto a tava, and flipped when ready. For those with a sweet tooth, a delightful Mocha Ricotta Crème is a clever dish, put together with half a cup of skimmed milk ricotta crème, artificial sweeteners like Splenda (about two packets), walnut or pecan bits and mocha.

References:
http://healthmeup.com/news-diet-fitness/7-proven-benefits-of-low-carb-diets/15050484
http://www.nripulse.com/Archives/HealthJune.htm

Picture Courtesy:healthmeup

Simple Tips To Ease Anxiety

In an era where stress is virtually the norm, and a mind free of it is the exception, it must come as no surprise that one in every four Indians are affected by anxiety disorders, and one in ten are depressed. Our ancestors might be quick to blame our times, and our lives, but they aren’t far from the truth: the levels of competition, the obligation to perform, the imposition of pressure from higher levels and from peers makes life a lot less easier to chart, work wise and lifestyle wise.

Easing out from a state of anxiety is not an automatic task: it isn’t about pressing a button and watching the change happen. However, there are some simple life-hacks that you need to be focusing on in a way that will give you the freedom to escape from the burdens of an anxious mind.
– Indulge in a hobby. Often, when you do something you like – it need not be creative, as long as it is recreational – your mind is given a boost of feel good hormones which helps calm your nerves. Try to make this a regular part of your day or week, and ensure not to cut back on attending it no matter how tired or bored you may feel.
– De-clutter your spaces. A cluttered space reflects a cluttered mind. You tend to feel bogged down by the energy of your space, so it is vital that your space allows you to breathe so your mind breathes comfortably, too.
– Keep a journal: Work on taking things off your mind so that you can keep your energy flowing. If you bottle up emotions and thoughts and don’t speak your mind, you wind up building up on the anxiety. With time, these things gain so much force out of the suppression that they burst out, which can be a dangerous thing. If you cannot always speak out and express yourself to the people concerned, journaling can help you get your feelings off your chest.
– Read! It is a good thing to read regularly, whether it is a self-help book or an inspirational memoir, or even a piece of light-hearted fiction. Reading gives you the freedom to escape into a parallel world and to imagine on a flight of fantasy. It isn’t an escapist’s route to solving anxiety, but rather a sound and well grounded way of channeling your energies.
– Spend time with nature. There is really nothing better than being one with nature – especially since the peace you can derive from your surroundings gives you a clear mind.
– Eat well. Nutritious food is a very important route to keeping your mind healthy. Ensure that you get enough vitamins and minerals – a lot of vitamin deficiencies can cause depression and deprivation of calmness in the mind.
– Meditate. Meditation is a very comfortable way to calm your mind and to wind back on your thoughts. Worrying about the future is often one of the biggest factors that cause anxiety and depression. If you can dial back on it, you virtually cut back on anxiety. Meditate for a few minutes by yourself, or indulge in a guided meditation or some meditative music.

References:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-18674/10-lifestyle-choices-that-have-eased-my-anxiety.html
http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/natural-treatments
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/One-of-every-four-Indians-affected-by-anxiety-disorders-10-are-depressed/articleshow/23599434.cms

Picture Courtesy: smerete.com

Celebrity Fitness Tips For You!

For the fashion conscious and the health conscious alike, women on the silver screen in Bollywood have been a benchmark of sorts. While size zero fads, overtly sculpted looks and even the emphasis on the super skinny frame may have stirred up some controversy, all said and done, these women are invariably fashion icons, and their fitness regimen are talking points for many women. Here are five Bollywood Divas and a glimpse at their fitness secrets.
Bipasha Basu: The perfectly toned and chiseled body that Bipasha Basu has come to be known for is a result of kickboxing routines that are of a high intensity. Jabs, kicks, punches, hooks and up-cuts come together to create a strong core, well developed arms and legs, and creates a lot of inner strength. Bipasha’s cardio training was also well supplemented by a good amount of weights and conditioning routines, which has helped her sustain the chiseled look.
Malaika Arora Khan: From her Chaiyya Chaiyya days up until now, Malaika Arora has remained perfectly fit – enough for jaws to drop if they don’t already know that she’s a mother. Her figure remains in place with a solid round of aerobics, yoga and hip hop dancing, as the emphasis in her fitness routine is to sweat it out and to build muscle and strength.
Neha Dhupia: Even if Neha Dhupia isn’t quite on the top list of actresses in Bollywood, she is pretty high on the fitness quotient. A combination of squash, swimming and athletic training, Neha Dhupia relies on an eclectic mix of aerobic and anaerobic exercises for the burst of cardio that keeps her fit and in a brilliant figure!
Deepika Padukone: Deepika Padukone’s long legs and athletic figure is easily one that most women seek out as a benchmark. Pilates, strength training and badminton come together in a comprehensive fitness regimen that is also peppered with dance that includes kathak and jazz, and even a bit of yoga.
Kangana Ranaut: If you watch Tanu Weds Manu Returns, you’ll find a drastic change in Kangana – and not in the way that makes her terribly starved, but rather more healthier and fitter than ever before. Her fitness regimen includes high impact exercises in the gym, with arduous work outs to exercise each muscle group copiously.
Chitrangada Singh: Chitrangada Singh is perhaps the ideal when it comes to fitness. Not a size zero, but rather a healthy and yet well toned body, Chitrangada’s regimen is a mix of gymming, cardiovascular exercises and strength training.

References:
http://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/top-bollywood-divas-and-their-fitness-secrets-1721/page/1#slide

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