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Cholesterol is a substance produced in the body that helps in the production of cell membrane and hormones as well as in the digestion of foods. It is mainly produced in the body, but about 15-20 per cent is consumed through food that we eat. Cholesterol attaches itself to protein in the blood to travel to cells and the combination is known as lipo-protein. Of all the lipo-proteins, the two most important ones are LDL and HDL.

Most of us are ignorant about cholesterol. The biggest confusion is in terms of good and bad cholesterol. There is a simple way to get rid of the confusion. Say HDL — high density lipo-protein — which is the good cholesterol can be called the happy cholesterol. It has a very important function of carrying cholesterol away from the heart. LDL is the low density lipo protein, which can be called Low or Sad because it functions in reverse order of carrying cholesterol towards the heart.

For a healthy body, it is essential to make sure that the value of total cholesterol in the blood is less than 200mg/dl. Also, that the value of LDL or low cholesterol is below 100mg/dl. On the other hand, we must ensure that the HDL or happy cholesterol is above 40mg/dl. (more…)

Winter is over and the mercury’s been rising steadily. And with the soaring temperatures come parched mouths and an increased thirst and feelings of exhaustion. Naturally, a cool can of juice or aerated soft drink may seem alluring and the right choice to quench the thirst. These thirst quenchers may be very refreshing but they also punch in the calories.

A glass of fruit juice can contain as much as 4 to 5 teaspoons of natural fruit juice, which transforms into a lot of calories. The same is the case with aerated soft drinks, as they contain sugar, several additives and permitted colors, that can be harmful to the body if consumed every day. Moreover, each 300ml of soft drink has up to 7 teaspoons of sugar. After drinking an aerated drink you are likely to still feel thirsty, as the sugar content raises your blood glucose levels that needs to be diluted with adequate consumption of plain water.
For long, the recommended daily water intake was 8 glasses. But newer research suggests that 10 glasses or 2-2.5 liters of water may be ideal. And this 2.5 liter liquid intake should be plain water. Any other liquid — coffee, tea, juice, buttermilk — cannot be considered to be the required water intake. Always remember that the body needs a certain amount of water to dilute the blood, aid mobility of the digestive tract and to flush out the kidneys effectively. (more…)

A s a parent, you want your child to do well in the exams and move to the next grade smoothly. Along with your child, you burn the midnight oil to make sure that all aspects, including healthy meals, are taken care of. Nutrition is as important for the brain as for the body. Brain development, function, and communication between brain cells are all dependent on good nourishment.

Food for energy

Let’s begin with one of the vital nutrients for the brain – energy. Brain needs a constant supply of energy to function well. Complex carbohydrates provide this requirement by releasing energy steadily over a longer period of time. Carbohydrates also calm the mind and help concentrate on studies. Proteins are required for constant growth and development. While protein, iron and iodine are needed for brain development, iron is also useful for cognitive development. B vitamins are required for function of the nervous system and for manufacture and release of neurotransmitters. Omega 3 fatty acids are linked with good brain development. Low levels of these nutrients can affect development of the brain as well as its function.

Avoid heavy food

Sugary foods might make the brain sluggish. Some mothers feel that dry fruits like almonds, and foods cooked in pure ghee will boost the child’s memory, and therefore force the child to eat such foods repeatedly. (more…)

The growth of a baby inside the mother’s womb is directly related to the baby’s health after birth. Hence, a good diet for the mother during the nine months of pregnancy is essential to ensure healthy life of the child. So young mothers-to-be must take special care about their diet and ensure proper nutrition during pregnancy, for their unborn baby.

For the formation of new cells, tissues and bones of the baby, the most important nutrients to be provided and supplied are sufficient amounts of protein, vitamins (especially vitamin B), calcium and minerals.

Milk or curd is a must as it is a rich source of protein, vitamin A, B, D, E and calcium. Other foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals are dal and pulses. Non-vegetarian food like eggs are also high in protein. At least three glasses of milk should be consumed in a day. Avoiding milk can have adverse effect on the baby resulting in bow legs, knocked knees and poor teeth. Plenty of fruits and vegetables also are good source of vitamins and minerals. Green leafy vegetables (palak, keerai, etc) are rich in calcium and vitamins A, B and C.
Many pregnant women suffer from nausea and vomiting. To cope with this, they tend to avoid food completely. This condition usually starts in the second or third month and continues till the fifth or sixth. This is a very important period in the growth and the development of the baby. So, it becomes important to have a proper nutritious diet. (more…)

“How to take care of your nails” – its an important issue because, they can make all the difference to your look. While acrylic and gel nails can make even the most horrid hands look pretty, what you must not forget is that your nails can give out warning signs about your body that you might otherwise not realize. According to dermatologist Dr George Dake, the most common causes of fingernail or toenail problems include trauma, ageing, infection and skin disease. “Splitting of the nail plate is caused when hands are constantly wet, when one uses and removes nail polish very frequently and at times when artificial nails aren’t applied properly. Painful ingrown toe nails result from clipping nails too short and wearing ill-fitting shoes,” he says.
Nail problems occur due to infections, injuries, inflammation, growths or even a deficiency. “In order to handle nail problems, we need to diagnose the problem. Most can be diagnosed by examination, but some cases may require blood work-up, a nail scraping, or nail biopsies.

Dry, weak or brittle nails need to be greased immediately often during the day. Oral iron, calcium and biotin help in improving the structure of the nail,” says Dr Amanda Brown, another Dermatologist. “For healthy nails, avoid biting the nail or damaging the cuticle (more…)