Nutrients & more...

Most of us, sign up for the gym and then forget about it in a few weeks. But what about the word 'regular' in the phrase regular exercise ?? What can we do to include exercise on a regular basis? Choose morning workouts - so that we don’t have excuses or other diversions which usually crop up in the later part of the day. We're done with our daily activity dose right in the morning. Not to mention that its easier to burn fat on an empty stomach. Also when we kick start the day with exercise our metabolic rate increases i.e. we'll continue to use up more energy. Great for the weight watchers. Have Variety - Having more than one interests helps you in choosing alternate activities. So that if you can't swim because of winters, at least you can play cricket in the sun. Don’t hesitate to try new activities. Enjoy it - Choose an activity which you enjoy, so that you look forward to it the next day. You should be eager to participate. Don't exercise, do fu...

I'll share the story of Mr. young india today. He is a charming and hard working guy. He rushes to office by 8 a.m. and is back at home only by 9 p.m. He uses his time on his way home by typing mails on his BB. Office stress doesn’t bother him. He just needs to get a smoke to think through it. Often, he gets late so he eats before leaving for home. Mc Donald's, Dominoes, Pizza hut and coffee day are nearby so he generally goes there. Cheesy burger and pizzas are his favorites. Weekends are for fun, so he goes clubbing. He drinks and dances like there's no tomorrow. His philosophy of life is "you have only one life, so live it to the fullest". One day Mr. Young India got a heart attack. He's 35 years old. Do you know who this guy is? He's the face of new urban India. Fraught by sickness and anxiety. Heart attacks and related conditions are becoming increasingly common among people as young as 30. These can be prevented, simply by an improveme...

If you ever had a fracture, you know how painful it is. That itch, discomfort, missed school/college/work and fun activities…it’s a total let down. Now imagine, someone fracturing his/her bones (thigh, arms, hip, wrists) every other day!! Unfortunately, this condition is fairly common (especially in old age) and is medically known as osteoporosis or osteomalacia . Are you prone? Yes, if : 1. You are White or Asian 2. Have a small frame 3. Have a family history 4. Have crossed menopause 5. Suffering from amenorrhea 6. Are malnourished or have a history of serious malnourishment in growth years (childhood & adolescence) 7. Smoking and drinking 8. Using steroids Prevention of this condition does not require any elaborate measures. Healthy diet and regular exercise is the key. Nutrients in focus Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D are the main requirements for bone health. Here are some foods which can be taken in our daily diet. a. Calcium rich foods Dairy products l...

Do you feel lethargic even after having a good night's sleep? Do you get tired easily no matter what you do? Do you have difficulty concentrating? Has your friend/collegue/spouse commented that you have been looking pale these day? Chances are that you might be suffering from deficiency of iron . What is Iron? It is an essential mineral which serves diverse functions in the body. Since its required in small amounts, it is a 'micronutrient'. Why is iron important? 1. It is required in the blood cells for oxygen transport. Its deficiency causes anemia . 2. It is important for the development of the fetal brain. 3. Necessary for immune health. 4. It is required for producing energy in cells. 5. It is a constituent of our muscle protein 'myoglobin' and helps in storing oxygen in the muscles. 6. It’s a part of various enzymes in the body. What foods to eat? Include these in your diet: Liver, eggs, whole wheat flour, bajra , soyabeans, chickpeas, len...