It is a matter of great success that India has officially brought down its rate of polio to zero – but the efforts do not end with the milestone. Keeping the disease at bay requires a simple process of vaccination, and that ensures a longstanding sense of commitment in making sure that every generation is protected. A part of making sure this happens is to ensure that there is awareness.
Polio is a contagious illness that is caused by a virus. In its most severe manifestations, polio can cause paralysis, difficulty in breathing and even death. Polio is usually prevented by inoculation through the administration of an inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). Immunity after a booster dose lasts a lifetime. There are different kinds of polio – non-paralytic polio that includes the same mild and flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, fatigue and muscle weakness; paralytic polio, which leads to paralysis, as the name suggests – and can affect the spinal cord, brainstem or both. There is also something known as the post-polio syndrome, which comprises a series of symptoms that set in with time.
The major cause for polio is a virus called the poliovirus, and it resides only in humans. It enters the environment through the faeces of the infected person, and spreads through the faecal-oral route especially where there is inadequate and insufficient sanitation. It can also spread through contaminated water and food, and even through direct contact with a person who is infected with the virus. Polio is quite contagious, and a person living with someone who has been recently infected, is likely to be infected. It is also possible for people to be carriers of the poliovirus, without knowing it, in their faeces.
There is no known cure for polio, therefore the focus is on attending on the symptoms and increasing comfort for the patient, while also keeping other complications at bay. Some of the most common supporting treatments include such things as bed rest, pain relievers, portable ventilators where there are issues breathing, moderate exercise to prevent deformity or loss of muscle function and a nutritious diet.
Preventing polio is perhaps the best bet to ensure that you remain safe and do not contract the disease. To ensure that you keep polio at bay, simple acts of washing hands and keeping clean is useful, and vaccinating your children at the earliest is exceptionally important.
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polio/basics/treatment/con-20030957

No Indian meal is ever complete without something fried: especially if you’re going the whole hog in your eating habits. The occasional samosa from the canteen, the burgers you indulge in on the way home, a packet of fried chips or fritters: they’re all made out of oil that isn’t necessarily the best for your health and longevity. Although the best is to avoid fried food in a way that you only eat them minimally, it is useful to ensure that your consumption of fried food is food that is crafted out of a healthy oil. Here are a couple of oils that are useful for you health wise:
– Olive Oil: A derivative of the olive fruit, olive oil is perfect for cooking – especially because of the quality monounsaturated and polyunsaturated content. It is also rich in vitamins E and K, and is perhaps one of the most heart-friendly oils in the world.
– Coconut Oil: Coconut Oil comprises medium-chain triglycerides, which are more often effectively used by the body as a source of energy than the low-chain triglycerides are. This automatically means that they have a smaller chance of being stored in the body as fatty tissue. Coconut oil is rich in these medium chain triglycerides and therefore, helps promote fat loss effectively.
– Groundnut Oil: Rich in the good kind of fat, i.e., the line of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, Groundnut oil also has a longer shelf life in comparison with other cooking oils. Since it has a rather high smoke point, it is less likely to impinge on your heart’s health. Groundnut oil is rich in nutrients as well, and does not affect the bad cholesterol levels adversely.
– Sunflower Oil: Sunflower oil comes in with a very rich and oleic value, which helps tremendously because it means that the oil is rich in monounsaturated fats resources. It has absolutely no harmful trans fat. Since it is rather mild and has a lot of vitamin E content and antioxidants, sunflower oil is actually a dose of goodness ingested with every bite.
– Soybean Oil: Soya bean or Soybean Oil is the very essence of the nutrition in the soya bean – therefore, it is rich in the antioxidants and all the mineral wealth that soya beans are associated with. It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fats, and has a high oleic content, which ensures that the oil is good for heart health.
– Canola Oil: Canola Oil is an extract of mustard seed or rape seed, and is one of the best oils for the heart and its health. It works perfectly for deep-frying needs, and is rich in oleic content as well.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/The-healthiest-oils-for-deep-frying/articleshow/25210822.cms
http://authoritynutrition.com/healthiest-oil-for-deep-frying/

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, for you start your day after a good many hours of an empty stomach. It is important, therefore, that your breakfast be both, healthy and filling. You need the right nutrients to kick start your day, and encourage your body to begin to work on the right note. The Indian breakfast is one of the world’s healthiest options available. Here are a few good dishes to start your day with!
– Aloo parathas are simple and easy to make parathas stuffed with a potato filling that may or may not be spicy. All it takes is for you to mash a couple of boiled potatoes, add a few sprigs of fenugreek leaves, a dash of masala powder or pepper based on your preferences, and then roll it out along with wheat based dough for bread. Served with curd, pickle, ketchup, raitha or even eaten plain, this is one action packed way to start your day!
– Dosas are delicious dishes to start your day with. Made out of a batter made of rice and lentils, dosas are packed with nutrients to start your day. Eat it with a side dish of potato based gravy or coconut chutney.
– Idlies: Also made out of a rice and lentil based batter, idlies are useful ways to start your day if you suffer from indigestion issues, particularly acidity and heartburn. They are filling, wholesome and steamed, and are especially easy on the stomach.
– Upma, made out of rava, is a great breakfast option. Add to the mix vegetables and lentils, and you have a very enriched meal for the morning – filled with vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals aplenty. Variations of upma can include those crafted with vermicelli and even semiya.
– Poha or flattened rice flakes work well to add a great morning meal to your morning ablutions. Made with peas and vegetables, or even with jiggery and coconut, poha is a light but filling breakfast option.
– Sandwiches are the ubiquitous solution to beginning your morning. Multi grain or whole wheat bread as a base, along with tomatoes, potatoes, cucumber, carrot and peppers cut into slices can be a delicious way to start the morning. There are plenty of options when it comes to sandwiches, and all you need is a creative streak!

References:
http://food.ndtv.com/lists/10-best-indian-breakfast-recipes-696080
http://idiva.com/photogallery-ifood/10-healthy-easy-indian-breakfast-options/24487
http://www.tarladalal.com/recipes-for-healthy-breakfast-489

Photo Courtesy : idiva.com

While most people tend to think that weight loss is an important goal to have, it is true and equally common that many look for ways to gain weight. Whether it is that you want to gain weight to fit your form, or it is that you want to bulk up with your workouts, eating right can get you there. However, it is important to make sure that you don’t eat empty calories or calories that don’t add value to your health. Here are some healthy pointers to keep in mind and to incorporate in your everyday diet so that you have more calories in your diet and gain weight the healthy way.
– The most common misconception is that eating fast food, junk food and oily food will help one gain weight. Au contraire, while it is possible that they will help you gain weight, it is unhealthy because of the impingement it effects on your heart.
– Eat more in numbers but in smaller sizes a day. Eating more meals that are smaller help your body to keep its metabolism utilized. By breaking your meal into smaller ones through the day – say, instead of three, make it five or six – you will be able to eat more.
– Avoid processed sugars and fats and use natural, healthy sugars and fats in your diet. Make use of honey and jaggery instead of refined sugar, and coconut or olive oil instead of refined sunflower oil. This helps build on the calories, but in a way that doesn’t pile onto your heart.
– Eat food that is dense in nutrition, and not empty calories like fast food and junk food. If you eat whole grains, dairy, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, you effectively shift your body onto a healthier plane where it can derive and sustain nutrient rich food content.
– Eat proteins as much as you can. If you are a non-vegetarian, this shouldn’t be difficult, especially as you can get proteins from meats and poultry quite easily. But if you are a vegetarian, your best bet is to rely on whey protein or protein shakes that can give your body the boost you need.
– If you are a non-vegetarian, gravitate more towards meat, for it comprises a lot of natural fats that can help you gain weight faster. One portion of meat a day is an advisable intake.
– Snack healthily, particularly with nuts, sticks of paneer and cheese, dry fruits and even whole fruits. They are rich in calorific count and keep you stocked with the right resources you need, to gain weight. Think bananas, mangoes and fruit smoothies and shakes.
References:
http://healthmeup.com/photogallery-diet-fitness/how-to-eat-more-calories-every-day/15061254/5

Image Courtesy : Flickr

Good health is always within your reach if you indulge in the right kind of food. Smoothies are one of the best options – they taste delightful and offer you wholesome nutrition in a way that helps you stay in shape. Here are some clever ways to keep your weight in check with a bunch of clever smoothies.
– Take two bananas, half cup oats, about a teaspoon of honey, some milk and blend them all with some ice until the mix is smooth. If you would like to opt for soy milk, you can add a dash of vanilla essence to augment the taste.
– Try a fun variant of the banana smoothie by adding some yoghurt, half a cup of ripe strawberries and two bananas. You can add almonds and honey to add to the taste. Blend the ingredients with ice until smooth, and enjoy a delightful glassful!
– A peanut butter and banana smoothie sounds delicious, doesn’t it? Add yoghurt or milk, some peanut butter, two ripe bananas and blend them with some ice, folding until the mixture becomes smooth and get yourself a delicious drink!
– Get creative when the season brings its own fruits in tow. Add mango chunks, two bananas, some milk and fold with ice, and enjoy a delightful mango smoothie.
– If you’d rather try an orange-mango drink, add some orange juice to yoghurt, and fold it with ice cubes, and then add chunks of mango to the final mix, and then blend until smooth.
– Mix a cup full of yogurt, some assorted berries, half a banana, some vanilla ice cream in a blender and mix. Before you drink it up, add a tablespoon or two of flax seeds for healthy omega-3s.
– Feel like a watermelon smoothie? Take chunks of watermelon and musk melon, squeeze the juice of two lemons and add a bunch of ice cubes. Fold the mixture in a blender until smooth, and add a few sprigs of mint to the tall glass of delight and enjoy your drink!

References:
http://healthmeup.com/news-weight-loss/banana-oats-smoothie-recipe-for-weight-loss/15061203
http://www.prevention.com/food/smoothie-recipes-weight-loss

Picture Courtesy: http://blog.bcbsnc.com/

It can be incredibly frustrating and tiring when you’ve been eating right and exercising right, but there is simply no headway in getting your weight in check! Despite all that you’ve been putting in, if you haven’t been able to lose weight, there are some factors that you might be ignoring or neglecting in your weight loss journey. Here are some pointers to help you out.
– Make sure that you are eating enough lean protein in every meal, for neglecting protein can ensure that your weight remains unrelenting.
– Ensure that you get enough water in your system so that you can flush out toxins. Wherever possible, increase fluid intake. Dehydration leads to the retention of water, which causes bloating and storage of fat. Drink lots of water so that you flush out toxins, eradicate water retention and increase metabolism.
– Check if you have a vitamin and/or mineral deficiency. When you have a very strict diet, it is fully possible that micronutrients may grow inadequate. This can alter major bodily functions – fat storage is one of the common side effects of nutrient inadequacy. Make sure that you get adequate amounts of vitamin and mineral supplies.
– You might be having a hormonal imbalance of sorts. Keep an eye to see if your thyroid, i.e., your T3, T4 and TSH levels are in order. Even small imbalances can cause fluctuations in your weight – but they can be handled very easily through changes in your lifestyle and exercise regimens. On the other hand, there could also be a cortisol or adrenaline imbalance, where high stress levels can increment the hormone. In the process, it causes irritability, lethargy and an increase in appetite, leading to weight gain and storage of fat, especially around the abdomen and thighs, and such weight is often difficult to tackle with a diet and a workout.

Picture Courtesy :lemonmastercleanse
References:
http://healthmeup.com/news-diet-fitness/when-nothing-seems-to-work/15060614/photo-5

The liver is the seat of a person’s well-being. When there is anything wrong with the liver, the whole body goes into a state of disarray. It is the organ with one of the most important functions: of doing away with all the bad and retaining all the good for your body – by taking out all that is harmful from the blood stream and retaining all the nutrients within. A fully functioning liver ensures that the body remains in a state of good health. To keep your liver in a healthy state, here are some foods that you would do well to include in your everyday diet.
– Beetroots: Beetroots are high in a nutrient called plant flavonoids, which are useful for the overall functioning of the liver and regulating the production of bile for digestive reasons.
– Nuts are rich in nutrient resources such as glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients help by supporting the liver through encouraging an inner cleansing process.
– Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, cabbage and celery make your liver function well. The presence of nutrient value in them that helps to neutralise metals, chemicals and pesticides that are found in the food, and in turn, protect the liver comfortably.
– Green Tea is a very rich resource for antioxidants from plants, called as catechins. Catechins are scientifically proven to have the capacity to improve the liver’s functioning.
– Water is a very important and vital resource to help the functioning of your liver. Your body needs to have the right amount of water in a day to help circulation and to help flush out unnecessary toxins.
– Fibrous foods are very rich in fibre, as their names suggest, and therefore exercise the digestive organs strongly. This helps create a sense of digestive orderliness and helps the liver in staying healthy.
– Garlic: A single pod of garlic has tremendous power to help keep your liver safe and healthy. It helps your liver by activating enzymes that suitably help by flushing out toxins, and also contains high amounts of allicin and selenium, two naturally occurring compounds that help to keep the liver clean and healthy.
– Aloe Vera juice is a very soothing salve for the body. It helps cool down the system and rid it of toxins, which in turn helps the liver in its functioning.
– Grapefruit as a whole fruit or as a juice work considerably well to flush out carcinogens and toxins. The fruit is high in Vitamin C and antioxidants, which helps keep toxic content at bay.
– Avocados are rich resources for the body to be able to keep the liver in a healthy condition. The presence of glutathione is necessary for the liver to filter out any harmful materials in them.
– Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflowers and Brussels sprouts are rich in organic compounds such as glucosinolate, which helps to increase the extent of enzymes produced for digestion.
– Citrus fruits are valuable nutrient reserves as well, especially in helping the liver in cleansing itself with a complete detoxification by flushing out toxins.

References:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/09/13/foods-for-liver_n_1880715.html

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/15-ways-to-boost-your-liver-for-great-health.html

http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/top-6-natural-remedies-to-keep-your-liver-healthy/

Picture Courtesy: gyaane.com

A bright yellow shade and a peppery bitter taste, a delightful aroma and a melange of health benefits: that just about sums up the humble turmeric. Right from gravies and pickles to medication, turmeric is nearly ubiquitous in the Indian food milieu. A rich ingredient, it is nearly almost always true that no Indian cuisine can thrive without turmeric. Here are a few facts about the delightful spice.
– Turmeric has powerful medicinal properties. It is an anti-inflammatory agent that can help to treat everything from flatulence, jaundice, menstrual difficulties and bloody urine, to haemorrhage, toothache, bruises, chest pain, and colic.
– Turmeric is an exceptionally useful antiseptic and helps treats bruises and wounds effectively.
– It is also an inexpensive and quick-working remedy for people who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, or even irritable bowel syndrome.
– Turmeric is a great resource for those seeking relief from Rheumatoid Arthritis, especially for those with painful joint inflammations and arthritic pains.
– Turmeric has healing properties which makes it a good solution for acne and skin ridden with scarring and bruises.
– For those who have Cystic Fibrosis, Turmeric is a great resource, because its component element, curcumin, helps cure Cystic Fibrosis.
– Since turmeric has antioxidant properties, it is also an exceptionally effective remedy against the free radicals that can damage cellular DNA, and in the process, cure or prevent cancer. It inhibits unnecessary cell growth, which therefore helps the body cut back on carcinoma.
– Turmeric is also efficient for the digestive needs of the human body, by encouraging Improved Liver Function.
– It is also capable of preventing the oxidation of cholesterol in the body, and therefore helps to keep heart diseases at bay
– There is also a growing swell of evidence that turmeric is highly effective in protecting the body against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
– Turmeric is also highly effective as a remedy for the common cold – when ingested with warm milk at night, it helps smoothen out the viral infection and its impact on one’s throat.

Reference:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=78

Picture Courtesy: Naf

Diets with low carbohydrate quotients in them are considered controversial, and have, for long, been dismissed as improper dietary regimen for the body because they tend to emphasise on the fat and protein intake. However, they are not all bad: especially if the diets you’re looking at are the ketogenic or Paleolithic dietary structure.
The fact of the matter is that carbohydrates can turn into fat, and make you bloat rather than lose weight. Therefore, low carbohydrate diets are highly suitable for many people.

The core advantages of a low carbohydrate diet are as follows:
– Reduced insulin levels ensue by reducing or eliminating carbohydrates from one’s diet. The reduction of carbohydrates automatically reduces the amount of insulin that floats about in the blood plasma, which then helps fat to be eliminated because there is no storage of fat taking place.
– Low carbohydrate diets have the capacity in increasing the amount of weight loss and in burning fat significantly, especially in the initial few months of the diet. There is a reduction in appetite, and there is a reduction of sugar and carbohydrates in the body, which results in an immediate weight loss.
– Diets with low carbohydrate content are also exceptionally useful in stabilizing blood pressure, and therefore create a comfortable impact on the heart. The body begins to become less vulnerable to heart disease and blood pressure instabilities.
– There is also a reduction in the quantity of Triglycerides – the fat molecules in the blood stream – and therefore makes the body less prone to heart diseases.
– For those who have Metabolic Syndrome, low carbohydrate diets are useful solutions because it reduces all the symptoms of metabolic syndrome – such as high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, high triglyceride levels and even an elevated level of fasting blood sugar levels and a reduction in the good cholesterol.
– Another area where low carbohydrate diets help are in cases of people with Type 2 Diabetes. When there is a reduced amount of blood sugar and insulin, managing type 2 diabetes is easier.
– It also helps reduce the extent of C-Reactive Proteins, which is an indicator of inflammation that can be measured in the blood stream. C-Reactive Proteins have been linked to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. Reducing carbohydrate content in the food intake can also consequently help lower the levels of C-Reactive Proteins.

Incorporate a low carbohydrate diet into your lifestyle with some very simple Indian recipes. Try the moong dal dosa, which is made with moong dal soaked overnight and ground into a batter. Another option would be Tomato Omelets, which can be made by mixing besan, chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, salt, turmeric and water and then spread onto a tava, and flipped when ready. For those with a sweet tooth, a delightful Mocha Ricotta Crème is a clever dish, put together with half a cup of skimmed milk ricotta crème, artificial sweeteners like Splenda (about two packets), walnut or pecan bits and mocha.

References:
http://healthmeup.com/news-diet-fitness/7-proven-benefits-of-low-carb-diets/15050484
http://www.nripulse.com/Archives/HealthJune.htm

Picture Courtesy:healthmeup

In an era that is filled with fast food and food that is low on nutritional value, there is every need to seek out food that is rich in nutrition. But, richness is not enough, because it is nutritional denseness that counts, in ensuring that your body gets the requisite supply of nutrients. Given that you eat three square meals or many small meals in a day, there is a limit on the number of meals one has. This makes it all the more important to pack in as much nutrition as possible. Here are some of the most important nutritionally dense foods that your body needs.
– Green vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and cabbage, are some of the most healthiest kinds of foods because of the extent of density in the nutrients they contain. Most of these vegetables comprise nutrients such as iron, potassium, magnesium, folate, calcium and Vitamins A, C and K.
– Fish are a food group that is rich in nutrients. Salmon is exceptionally rich in resources of Omega-3, along with several other nutrients such as protein, magnesium, potassium, selenium and Vitamin B group of vitamins. Shellfish such as clams, oysters and other types of shellfish are extremely nutritious – loaded with zinc, vitamins and minerals aplenty.
– Garlic is another nutrient dense food, comprising a host of nutrients such as Vitamins B1, B6 and C, Calcium, Potassium, Copper, Manganese and Selenium. Garlic also has an active ingredient known as allicin, which helps in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol and fights cancer.
– Tubers, particularly potatoes and sweet potatoes are useful and nutrient rich foods that help pack in healthy carbohydrates, starch, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, and Vitamins C and B.
– Organ meats outweigh muscle meats significantly, with their range of nutrients within. Out of the range of organ meats, the healthiest is animal liver, especially because it comprises a range of animal protein, vitamins and minerals.
– Bean Sprouts are also very useful for good health, given that they are really rich in nutrients. Since sprouts are not yet fully grown plants, they are rich in many nutrients that are stored for the plant that will grow out of them.
– Nuts, though high in calories, are exceptionally dense in nutrients. The best of the lot are almonds, since they are filled with vitamins and healthy fats that can help reduce harmful cholesterol, and increase energy, improve skin and boost brain functioning.
– Eggs are among the most nutrient dense foods available, especially since they are packed with protein and minerals.
– If you thought chocolate was junk food, think again. Dark Chocolate is one of the best resources for nutrients – replete with everything from fibre, iron, magnesium, copper and manganese, it is also one of the richest sources of antioxidants among most foods.

Reference:
http://healthmeup.com/photogallery-diet-fitness/15-nutrient-dense-foods-you-should-be-eating/15052181/8

Photo Courtesy: drlibby.com