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A record number of people have HIV in India, with many unaware they’ve contracted the virus. And don’t assume this affects only gay men and intravenous drug users — several heterosexuals are currently being treated for HIV. Most worryingly, a report reveals that almost a third of HIV-positive people are being diagnosed late, when their immune systems have already been compromised. It’s possible to be infected for around 10 years without realizing it.

Late diagnosis danger

The virus attacks the immune system, leaving the sufferer open to infections and vulnerable to potentially fatal pneumonia and certain cancers. How quickly you get treatment can mean the difference between life and death. Research by UKs National AIDS Trust charity shows that those diagnosed late are 10 times more likely to die within the first year of being diagnosed than those treated early. Treatment helps the body suppress the virus, and those who get treated early can have a normal life expectancy and a reasonably normal lifestyle. Read the rest of this entry »

Most of us are familiar with lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart disease and hypertension and have equipped ourselves to deal with them by adopting a more healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet and exercise. Of  late, however, there have also been reports of an increase in kidney disorders among people.Therefore, it is best to know about the various kidney problems, how they are caused, who is most likely to get them and how best to prevent kidney trouble. And if there’s a hereditary link to a disease, one should learn to delay its onset or manage it wisely if it has already set in.

In kidney disorders, the kidneys cease to function normally and waste products and excess water build up in the body, disrupting the chemical balance of the blood. The condition may take two forms:  acute kidney failure or chronic kidney failure.The first form of preventive defense is asking for blood urea and uric acid levels during routine blood tests as part of the general health check-up. Blood urea should be below 25 mg/dl, creatinine below 1.0 mg/dl, and uric acid below 5.0 mg/dl for women and below 6.0 mg/dl for men.

The treatment for kidney failure involves first reversing or slowing the damage, and then with treatment and diet control restoring the balance of the chemicals in the blood. And if the disorder is an offshoot of an existing condition like hypertension or diabetes, getting these conditions under control also stems the progression of the kidney disorder. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »