Weight problems among children have been causing a lot of concern to Health Experts. Inactivity and lethargy in the childhood are the two main reasons for obesity and diseases like coronary artery diseases, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. According to the American Heart Association, children and adolescents should commit to at least an hour of good physical activity every day to maintain good health.

Parents generally are happy and content if their children come off well in academics and do not fall sick often. But health experts are not satisfied with that. They emphasize on the kids participating in physical activities to stay fit and to keep obesity at bay. We generally associate ‘exercise’ with ‘adults’ by thinking of adults going for jogging, walking or work out or even for outdoor games. We forget exercising our children. The little cherubs spend the precious moments of their life just sitting in the bus, class, watching TV or playing on the computer.

They do not have physical tasks as everything works on their finger tips at the push of a button. And we do not think whether they play regularly or participate in enough physical activities. We are not concerned as far they do their homework and do not make a mess at home and school. But what you cultivate in the childhood remains till the end. Physical inactivity and consequent health risks would grow up with the child.
Physical activity relates to longevity. Not only in the physical, it helps on the social and emotional realms too. Regular exercise would help a child in staying healthy and happy even in his adulthood. It helps in

1. Reducing weight which can have physiological and emotional benefits
2. Tuning up the body with a healthier bone structure
3. Reducing blood pressure diabetes and some cancers
4. Increasing the good HDL cholesterol
5. Boosting up morale and self-confidence
6. Overcoming Stress
7. Increasing concentration and learning ability
8. Handling the daily life situations with a better outlook
9. Getting a good night’s sleep.

Parents can set example to kids by engaging themselves in physical activities and by encouraging the children to join them. They can promote the interests of the children in outdoor games and activities. Games like basketball, soccer, cricket and tennis and activities like walking, running, swimming, skating or even dancing can be fun. Parents and the school staff should make sure that the child is eating and playing well regularly.

A healthy, balanced diet + regular physical activities = a healthy posterity.

-Aparna K V

Tags: asthma, Ayurvedic, acupuncture, herbal, obesity

Cardiovascular diseases in form of arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis and even hemorrhage are growing at a tremendous rate and are the cause of at least 50% of deaths worldwide.

The cause for concern is that the figure of heart attacks and related deaths is on the rise but the number of people conscious of their health and taking preventive measures is not growing at the same rate. We all are struggling for a better means of living, improving our standards, providing for our necessities and so on. But do we ensure that we would be able to reap the fruits of the seeds sown. This would be done only if we live long enough and are healthy. Hence, at least half an hour should be dedicated daily only to ourselves, for our health and productive mind. Otherwise we would be running in a marathon without an end point. The following are some of the guidelines to maintain a healthy and fit heart.

a) Exercise regularly :- This should be done in such a manner that the heart rate is at a faster pace than normal and this faster pace should be maintained for 20 minutes. Brisk walking and jogging are two good methods of exercising where the body exerts to enhance its stress undertaking capacity. In general forty minutes of exercise for four times a week is a good exercise.

b) Diet :- Avoid refined flour and restrict carbohydrates and fats once you are 30 years. A good intake of fruits, dryfruits and vegetables would do wonders for your body. The minerals and vitamins used by the body are best sourced in nature. The best supplement for cardio-health is Omega 3 Fatty Acids . Another herb which is useful and has been quoted in various Ayurvedic scriptures is Terminalia Arjuna (Arjun Chhal).

c) Meditation : Yoga, prananyamas and meditation calms and focuses the mind and also avoids excitements and stresses. Hence a weekly practice of meditation would only benefit the heart and mind by controlling the volatility and maintaining a steady heart rate.

d) Regular blood tests : These are required to monitor the HDl and LDL levels in the blood. The LDL/HDL ration should be a maximum or 4 and any higher value is an indication of greater risk of heart diseases.

If you are strong at heart would you be able to enjoy all emotions and also face the struggles in life.

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

Music is curative ! A great historian, Balaji Tambe has done research in the effect of sounds, to treat various problems in us.

• Raga Sarang helps in epilepsy, Pitta Imbalance.
• Raga Bhairavi helps in Tuberculosis, Cancer, Severe Cold, Phlegm etc
• Hindol and Vasant gives relief to problems in Vata Imbalance, Blood pressure, Gastritis, blood impurities.
• Raga Kalyani, Charukesi and Sankarabharanam gives relief from heart ailments.
• Stomach operations can be avoided by singing the 72 Melakarta Ragas.
• Raga Darbari helps in relieving stress
• Raga Shiva Ranjani helps in intellectual excellence.
• Raga Ahir-Bhairav and Todi are good for high blood pressure.
• Raga Deepak helps to relieve acidity.
• Bhairavi helps in Sinusitis.
• Raga Bageshri, Kafi, Khamaj and Darbari help in insomnia
• Todi and Poorvi help in Headache and