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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 »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

“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 Read the rest of this entry »

Preeclampsia happens in pregnancy, or just after the baby’s birth, and affects around one in 14 women, usually after the 20th week. Sometimes, there are no symptoms but often there is raised blood pressure, a high level of protein in urine, leaked from the kidneys, and possible swelling, especially around the hands and face. Don’t panic if you’re diagnosed with this as most cases are mild but they all need monitoring because serious, potentially life-threatening complications can develop. No one knows for sure what causes it but theories put forward include insufficient blood flow to the womb, undiagnosed high blood pressure or other problems such as diabetes in the mother and disruption of the balance of hormones that control blood vessels.

THE COMPLICATIONS

STROKE: This is a major risk of uncontrolled high blood pressure

ECLAMPSIA: One in 100 cases of preeclampsia turn into a condition called eclampsia, which usually develops later in pregnancy or just after the birth However, occasionally it can happen with no previous pre-eclampsia symptoms. Eclampsia can cause seizures, leading to a coma, and is potentially fatal for both mother and baby — the cure is to have an emergency Caesarean and deliver the baby. Read the rest of this entry »

Ever heard of Irritable Bowel Syndrome? If cramps in the stomach are commonplace for you, its about time you learnt more about it. That bothersome stomach ache may be more than just your everyday indigestion.

Is that terrible stomach ache taking the wind out of your sails? Making you sleepless, stressed, irritable? Well, its not just your mind that is irritated, but something deep down in your belly-your bowel! Get up and get cracking , because it might be a case of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Also known as spastic colon, IBS is a functional bowel disorder characterised by mild to severe abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating in the stomach, constipation or diarrhoea and alteration of bowel habits. However, Irritable Bowel Syndrome does not permanently harm the intestines. And you can control the symptoms by consuming the right diet, managing your stress and following the right medicine regimen. Here’s how…

Signs To Watch Out For

There are no specific causes that lead to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is most often a result of a sensitive colon or large intestine. here’s what you must watch out for: Read the rest of this entry »