We all know that we are composed of 70% water. The body tissues, cells and reactions carried out within the body are all a failure in absence of water. But this is not a store which can be utilized for ever. There are continuous losses of water from our body. Water is lost in the air exhaled, through sweat on the soles of the feet and other skin areas, tears, and urine, the biggest loss of all. Collectively, this loss could be upto 2 litres every day. In addition to this loss there is a utilization of water in various chemical reactions.

So if we do not replenish enough amount of water back into the body, what would be the result? Dehydration. This is a very crucial problem which could even be life threatening. Shrinkage of body mass, malfunctioning of organ systems, reduced blood volume and cell death are some resultants. Hence it is of utmost importance to resupply 2.5 liters of water every day back to our bodies. This can be done in form of fresh fruits, vegetables, beverages, soft drinks, juices and not to forget pure water at its best. The water content of these sources varies but nothing matches pure water supply. We do take in salts and nutrients in our day to day life but what we are not able to catch on is the water supply. To take more and more plain water is the best idea though you don’t have to cut down upon your regular beverages and drinks.

Water can be available in two types. Mineral water and spring water. Both are reasonably good sources but the purity and assurance against contamination is more for mineral water. However, if you don’t have a choice of any water, your tap water can be boiled to eradicate the impurities. A generous supply of 8-0 glasses a day is a must. Unavailability of water or forgetfulness is not an excuse to compromise your health for long.

Another astonishing fact is that our thirst is not a reliable indicator of dehydration of water needed by the body. A chronically dehydrated patient who has not been drinking enough water for years together develops a faulty reflex and even when he is dehydrated which is always the case, his reflex doesn’t prompt him to drink more water as the body is used to the insufficient water supply. Try this. Drink sumptuous 8-10 glasses of water for a day or two and then on the third day you would be reminded every hour for water by stimulating your thirst.

Some serious illnesses like asthma, hypertension, high cholesterol levels are the resulted in chronic dehydrated patients. Since water also cushions the joints and ligaments by forming a jelly matrix, in its absence there is a greater risk to develop weak bones. Arthritis, spondyloslysis and other such illnesses are thus caused and the misfortune is that we don’t even recognize the fact behind all these happenings which seem irrational to us.

The first ills of dehydration is a pain signal when histamine is released from mast cells to combat the lack of water. But in most cases this becomes subdued and negligible if a corrective action of proper water supply is not provided. Most of us who drink water religiously would experience this subtle pain in our throat if our throat is under a drought. But do the scanty drinkers experience it, No.

So help your body perform well by drinking more water. You would be helping yourselves as
• All your cells, even the most remote among them would be oxygenated.
• Toxins would be excreted well from the body and nutrients would be supplied to each part.
• Vital body reactions in metabolism, immunity and other functional areas would be carried out efficaciously as water is a good solvent.
• Nerve signals would be prompt.
• The circulatory system would be in a bloom giving a pinker tone to the skin.
• The joints and ligaments would be well cushioned.

You can use the following guidelines to improve your water supply.

1. Start your day with a glass full of water.
2. Keep a jar of water handy when you work at your desk so that you can have water periodically.
3. Whenever you travel, carry water with you.

Good Health to all… !

Tags: Natural Cures, Herbal Supplements, Kitchen Tips, Ayurvedic Medicine, Natural Remedies

After an unexpected social visit or shopping spree I can return home in time for lunch with a smile. “How convenient!” my mother would say. In her times, either she had to prepare the lunch for the entire family or cook it after a hurried outing or even better, she would skip the visit! I would just come home and heat up some ready-to eat delicacies and have a sumptuous meal. Recently, I began to think about the effects of this genre of food on health. This made me think. Are they really bad?

Processed Food : An Observation

In the grocery stores out there, we find a whole section dedicated to processed food. Processed foods have been altered from their natural state to increase their shelf life and for ease. This technique evolved and got promoted as a result of urbanisation and resultant hectic life style. In the present scenario, people like me can’t imagine a week without dried noodles or canned fish.

How it changes the whole of life!

It helps people who can’t get fresh food and refrigerate it. You don’t remember seasonal foods anymore. Any food item is made available all around the year by food processing. Food processing also enables the market to have variety. The grocery shops are not going to look nice if food processing is stopped.

The methods of processing include canning, freezing, refrigeration, dehydration and aseptic processing. The use of preservatives like antioxidants and antimicrobials to increase the store life of food is not uncommon. If you believe that consuming processed is totally unhealthy, then you are mistaken.

Not all kinds of food processing are harmful to health. Some food items gain edibility and nutrition after getting processed while some need processing to retain nutrition. Tinned fish and pasteurized milk are instances. Except for those who prefer raw milk, pasteurization kills bacteria and homogenization prevents the fats from separating.

Vegetables do not lose anything when frozen. The minerals and the vitamins remain fresher in them than in the ones available in the market. The vegetables do not reach the market the day when they are picked and by the time they reach the destination they may end up losing their nutritional content. Through processing, provisions like bread and breakfast cereals can be given more minerals and vitamins. In any case, the human body will not retain any unnecessary vitamin or mineral. Sugar, oil, pulses and grains get their edible form through processing. They are again processed in the making of bakery products, dairy products and packed foods.

Dangers of Processed Food

The tendency to consume these kinds of food is ever on the increase. But one has to know that though they fill the stomach and quench hunger they do not give the body and its immune system their regular share. Processed meats amplify the risk of colorectal, kidney and stomach cancer. They are often simply saturated fats and salt with just preservatives and flavouring agents. They do not contain much of protein, minerals or vitamins.

Carcinogen

Doctors relate the reason for the leaping number of cancer patients to processed foods. Carcinogen is a substance that promotes cancer. It seems to be omnipotent by being present in asbestos, radon, certain pesticides, arsenic, tobacco smoke and food stuffs. Foods cooked at high temperatures are susceptible to carcinogen due to certain chemical reactions. In eatables like fried potatoes carcinogen is found in potential amount. Hence the French fry scare!

Acrylamide

Forms of acrylamide present in heat–processed food is another concern. Acrylamide is a chemical used to make polyacrylamide materials which in turn is utilized for the treatment of drinking water. WHO says that acrylamide, if taken in can cause and damage the nervous system. Acrylamide is born in foods when processed in high temperatures especially for long duration. This is seen in higher levels in potato fries while breakfast cereals, biscuits, cookies and snacks and even pop corn. WHO adds on some more alarming information. Acrylamide is also found in home-made food as well. WHO further warns us that food should in no way get overcooked. (I also read that Acrylamide in these proportions is not dangerous! But I I go with WHO)

Preservatives

I am not sure whether they mean when they say ,“no preservatives”.

Some of the food preservatives used are Sodium acetate, Sodium nitrite and Sodium metabisulphite. Taurine, glucuronolactone and caffeine are introduced in energy drinks and fizzies as stimulants. Lalala! Disodium inosate and disodium 5-ribonucleotide do the flavour part. Needless to say that these chemicals and stuff are not going to be very friendly to the body.

Sodium

Processed food (frozen dinners) and soft drinks contain a good amount of sodium. Sodium chloride (salt) is used for preservation of food as it checks moisture and prevents the growth of bacteria.

We should think healthy first. Let’s look for foods that are free from trans-fat, low in sodium and calories and those made of whole grain.

-Aparna K V

Tags: Natural Cures, Herbal Supplements, Natural Remedies, Kitchen Tips, Ayurvedic Medicine

I have a habit - I drink chilled water … near the refrigerator, directly from the bottle.

My mom has a habit : She warns me not to do so, as soon as I walk towards the refrigerator. She has been doing so since I first walked down.

The reason for this warning is nothing but a fear factor my mom has regarding for my health. She wants to protect me from the dreadful cold, influenza and perhaps even pneumonia.

Causes of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infectious state of the lungs. It is caused when micro-organisms in form of virus, bacteria and fungi attack the lungs. These are parasites which harm the human body and utilize the nutrients and tissues for their own existence. This causes a detrimental effect on the body which is much more detrimental than a mild cold or cough, its an infectious state in form of pneumonia. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza are some micro organisms which cause this infection.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

The human body responds to any foreign agent by a self defense system. In the case of any mild infection or common cold, the body reacts to it in form of a cough through which the toxins and foreign agents are expelled out of the body. However, in the case of pneumonia, the body loses its immune power and hence the power to expel out the irritants and toxins is lost. This causes the infectious substances and secretions of the parasites to get accumulated in the respiratory tract, mainly the lungs. The colour of this cough is also characteristic as it is not the transparent mucus secreted by a patient of common cold. A deep yellow or even perhaps a greenish shade is seen in the cough if it is expelled with great persistence of the patient. The agony of the patient doesn’t stop with congestion and wheezing alone. A high temperature on account of the infection is very common. Moreover, loss of appetite and exhaustion are seen among pneumonia patients.The most common symptoms of pneumonia are shortness of breath; chest pain, especially when breathing in; coughing; shallow, rapid breathing; and fever and chills. Coughs usually bring up mucus, also called sputum. The sputum may even be streaked with blood or pus. In serious cases, the patient’s lips or nail bed will appear blue due to lack of oxygen.

Diagnosis

Blood tests along with x-ray reports where a patch is identified on the lungs help in the diagnosis of pneumonia. However, practitioners may even identify the problem by physical symptoms.

Who is more prone to be infected

Since previous illness and advanced age both reduce the immunity of a person, these are factors which increase the risk of capturing the pneumonia bacteria. Asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension, advanced age and other such chronic diseases are some factors which increase this risk. However, people above 65 years have an option of administering anti pneumonia vaccine by which they can prevent this menace.

Natural treatment for Pneumonia

1. Fenugreek: In the initial stages of the infection tea made with fenugreek seeds help in perspiration and removal of toxins from the body. This tea can be taken three to four times a day. During this treatment no other food should be taken.
2. Garlic in pure form relieves the respiratory symptoms very soon.
3. Sesame seeds when infused with water and mixed with linseed oil help in relieving the phlegm from the body. Salt and honey when mixed with the infusion help in this at a faster rate.
4. Carrot juice , spinach juice and beet root juice also help in the relief of symptoms.
5. The pain experienced on the chest can be relieved by rubbing turpentine oil on the rib cage.

Mothers are always right in protecting their children, hope they would make use of these guidelines need be!!

Tags: Natural Remedies, Ayurvedic Medicine, Kitchen Tips, Herbal Supplements, Natural Cures

Ginger is a spice which has traditional medicinal value. In fact Indian and Chinese civilizations have been taking advantage of ginger since ages. Most of the Indian recipes have ginger in one form or the other. It has long been known as a very healthy food. It has anti-cancer properties and is recognised as healthy by both modern and ancient systems of medicine. Have a read to see why you should start eating more ginger.

What gives Ginger medicinal value?

Ginger is scientifically called Zingiber officinalis and this is a rhizome as discussed in the case of Turmeric earlier. This rhizome has volatile oils and compounds which impart medical properties as well as taste and odor to the rhizome. The aromatic constituents of ginger are zingiberene and bisabolene. The other constituents which give ginger a pungent taste are gingerols and shogaols. These stimulate the digestive system and impart characteristic taste and flavor. These active constituents are in form of phenols and complexes in form of flavanoids which impart their properties.

The other active ingredient in ginger is terpenes and an oleoresin, which is called ginger oil. These active agents are responsible for its antiseptic qualities, lymph-cleansing, circulation-stimulating and mild constipation relief. Research has shown that ginger lowers blood cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the blood and liver.

Ginger in ayurveda

Ayurveda acts by correcting the energies within the body to suit the environment outside and maintaining this balance. Energies within the body are either hot or cold. When there is excessive heat in the body, the hot energy is provocative and in cases of flu and cough, the cold or cool energies are more dominant. Ginger increases the heat within the body and thus increases the action of the hot energy giving rise to a fruitful balance of energies and correcting the illness.

Medical properties of ginger

1. It helps in improving perspiration, hence is effective in reducing or treating fever.
2. Ginger loosens phlegm and hence is used in the treatment of tough cold. Here it is used as an expectorant.
3. Ginger aids digestion by activating the digestive enzymes.
4. They neutralize stomach acids and hence are effective in digestion.
5. Ginger tones the muscles of the intestine and is thus used in relieving constipation.
6. It reduces inflammation of joints and tissues and hence is used in treatment of arthritis.
7. The circulation increases within the body by consuming ginger.
8. Motion sickness and nausea can be curbed by chewing ginger, swallowing may reduce its effect.
9. Nervousness and sore throats are easily improved by ginger.
10. Ginger has been shown to clean and thin the blood and hence is used as a blood purifier.
11. The ills of LDL or bad cholesterol are curbed by reducing the concentration of LDL.
12. Ginger is also a mood enhancer due the content of cineole , an alcohol.
13. The mouth freshening properties of ginger make it commonly used in tea and after meal refreshers.

As a spice, ground ginger can be quite a valuable substitute when fresh ginger root is not available. But fresh ginger is always preferred, both for its greater health benefits and for its superior taste. Fortunately, in most parts of the United States fresh ginger root is available year round, so finding it shouldn’t be a problem for the majority of shoppers. Ginger may not be the most familiar spice or herb, but it definitely pays to get to know this great root.

Tags: Herbal Supplements, Ayurvedic Medicine, Natural Cures, Kitchen Tips, Natural Remedies