General Health Tips - Natural Ways to Lighten Your Skin

Dark spots, and freckles, and skin-damage - oh my! Looking to lighten your complexion? Every shade of skin is beautiful, but as we grow older our skin tone can change. Freckles may appear, dark spots can arise, and skin may not be as light as it once was. So, if you're still not ready to embrace your dark side, read on for a few natural whitening tips and tricks.

Use Sunblock

One of the easiest ways to stay fair is to use sunblock on a daily basis. Find a moisturizer that includes an SPF of 15 or higher and use it every morning after washing your face. Sunblock not only prevents your skin from getting darker, but also blocks harmful UV rays that can cause cancer and premature aging. Remember your hands when applying sunblock, as they are a prime area for age spots.

Exfoliate

Exfoliating once a week will remove dead skin cells to lighten and brighten your skin. Mix two tablespoons oatmeal and two tablespoons brown sugar with a quarter cup of milk, and stir until a paste forms. Gently scrub your face, rinse, and moisturize.

Make a Mask

A homemade mask is a great way to lighten your skin and a good excuse to kick back on the couch. Try using one once a week. Use one tablespoon of each of the following: sandalwood paste, lemon juice, tomato juice, and cucumber juice. Mix them all together to form a paste. Spread the mixture on your face and wait until it dries. Rinse and moisturize for a natural glow.

Licorice Extract

Licorice extract contains glabridin, a component that acts as a natural skin whitener. Apply a thin layer of the extract morning and evening, after you wash your face and before you moisturize. Licorice extract can be found at any health food store or ordered online. Be sure to store the bottle in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness. Note: test a small amount on the back of your arm before using on your face to be sure you do not have an allergic reaction. Remember to love your skin no matter what color it is. It's a part of who you are and that's what makes you beautiful and unique.

Source : DSD Group Email

Stop that slipping disc !

Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc (PID) or 'slip disc' can be painful. So make simple lifestyle changes to heal your back!

In the past, problems like backaches and neck pains were seen only amongst older age groups. However, there's been a huge change in the last decade as an increasing number of young people cope with back problems. The most common condition is caused by a 'slip disc' which causes pain in the neck and back.

The soft cushion between two adjacent bones of the spine is called a disc. When the disc gets displaced from its original position its called a slip disc. This can lead to pain in the legs or sciatica. Slip disc in the neck causes pain in the arm.

FACTORS LEADING TO SLIP DISC :

Lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle, physical and mental stress and bad posture. The various reasons leading to faulty posture are smoking, obesity, inadequate sleep, deficieny of vitamins and calcium, etc.

TREATMENT :

To reduce the problem of slipped disc, people should rest. For pain, the doctors recommend medicines, physical therapies, exercises and even surgery if symptoms are severe.

FOR PREVENTION :

Exercise regularly

Manage your stress

Balance your work and recreation

Maintain proper posture

Balance your diet

Adequate rest

Ample water intake

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment

Take advice to plan workout and diet

Do take regular breaks while working continuously

Take periodic vacations to recharge your energy.

DON'T :

Do not indulge in fast food

Do not neglect early fatigue and back pain

Do not smoke

Do not work with a computer continuously without breaks

Dont use vehicle with bad suspensions on bumpy roads

Do not use big pillows

Do not use very soft mattresses

Don't neglect to pay attention to details regarding your posture while working.

AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL :

Develop a positive attitude to remain healthy.

Source : Dr.Rajesh Parasnis, Leading Spine Surgeon.

How Does One Benefit From Consuming Green Beans ?

Green beans, while quite low in calories (just 43.75 calories in a whole cup), are loaded with enough nutrients to not only power up the jolly Green Giant, but to put a big smile on his face.

Green beans are an excellent source of viatmin C, vitamin K and manganese. Plus green beans are very good source of Vitamin A (notably through their concentration of carotenoids including betacarotene), dietary fiber, potassium folate and iron.

And green beans are a good source of magnesium, thiamin, riboflavin, copper, calcium, phosphorous, protein, omega-3 fatty acids and niacin. The vitamin K provided by green beans - a spectacular 122.0 per cent of the daily value in one cup - is important for maintaining strong bones. Vitamin K1 activates osteocalcin, the major non-collagen protein in bone. Osteocalcin anchors calcium molecules inside of the bone.

Source : TOI

Five Foods for Better Sleep

If you’re among the estimated 65 percent of people who have trouble sleeping at least a few nights a week, you’re probably tired of hearing about all the possible culprits for your bedtime woes, from too much caffeine and late-night TV to not enough exercise or unwind time in the evenings.

While all of these factors certainly play a role in your quality of shut-eye, there’s one sleep saboteur that often goes unrecognized even though it can have a profound effect on how soundly you snooze–your diet.

In fact, food and sleep actually affect one another: If you don’t eat right, you lose sleep; and when you’re sleep-deprived, your eating habits suffer, says Sally Kravich, a holistic nutritionist and author of Vibrant Living: Creating Radiant Health and Longevity (SPK Publications, 2003). “It’s the ultimate catch-22,” she says. “A lack of sleep causes leptin, an appetite-regulating hormone, to crash, which causes you to eat more,” she says. “Not only does eating more eventually lead to weight gain and an increased risk of obesity–both of which can affect how well you sleep–but the foods you’re most likely to reach for when you’re tired will keep you up at night.” So what’s an insomniac to do..?

For starters, get clear about which foods promote good shut-eye, and which have the potential to keep you up at night, and adjust your diet accordingly.

Sleep-enhancing foods

Whole grains : Fiber-rich foods, such as brown rice and quinoa, do more than keep you full; they contain large amounts of tryptophan, an essential amino acid that increases the levels of serotonin (a feel-good neurotransmitter that calms the nervous system) and melatonin (a sleep-inducing hormone secreted in response to darkness) in the brain. What’s more, whole grains slowly nourish the body throughout the night after you digest them, says Lauren Taylor, CTN, a naturopath in Boulder, Colorado. That makes them an especially good choice for anyone who wakes up hungry during the night. Whole-grain carbohydrates also have a soothing effect. “Certain grains, like oats, act as natural relaxants and help calm the nervous system,” says Taylor.

Legumes : The high levels of B vitamins in legumes, such as black-eyed peas and lentils, also help calm your nervous system, says Kravich. Adds Taylor: “Legumes can be a great choice for an evening meal because they often replace animal protein, which can cause sleep problems.” But legumes are not for everyone, warns Taylor. They can be hard for some to digest. To know if you fall into this category, pay close attention to how you feel after you eat them. If the legumes satisfy your hunger without making you feel overly full or gassy, they could be a good addition to your sleep-inducing arsenal. Have an upset stomach or feel sluggish after a meal of legumes? Skip them altogether or eat them only in moderation.

Herbal teas : Tempted to have a glass of vino to unwind at night? Kravich recommends reaching for a cup of tea instead, especially blends with chamomile, lavender, and mint. “Drinking caffeine-free tea, particularly gentle herbal varieties, relaxes the body, calms digestion, and soothes the stomach,” says Kravich. Taylor agrees, but also says that the environment in which we eat potentially relaxing foods can have a profound effect on our nervous system. “That calming chamomile tea isn’t necessarily going to be so calming if you drink it while you’re on the computer paying your bills at 10 o’clock at night,” says Taylor. Instead, take your tea to a cozy spot where you can relax, smell the tea, and fully enjoy drinking it. “Unwinding in the evening–emptying out–that’s what’s important,” says Taylor. “It’s a way of clearing your nervous system. If you haven’t let go of the day’s activities, where is all that energy going to go? If it remains pent up inside of you, it’s certainly going to affect your ability to sleep.”

Fruit : Especially high in sleep-inducing tryptophan, bananas, mangoes, and dates are also great substitutes for higher-calorie desserts. “It’s all about changing your habits,” says Kravich. “Instead of cutting out dessert completely, replace cake and cookies–which can keep you up at night because of their high sugar content–with fruits that will satisfy your sweet tooth and help promote sleep. While fruits do contain sugar, it’s natural–not processed–and fruit also comes packed with fiber.” Another benefit from fruits: their high antioxidant content. “Think of nighttime as clean-up time for the body,” says Taylor. “If you go into the evening having just eaten foods that are cleansing and detoxifying, you’re helping that clean-up cycle. Vegetables and fruit are the most detoxifying foods you can eat.”

Soups and stews : Adding sleep-inducing foods to your diet will certainly help you get your beauty rest, but you should also pay attention to how you prepare them. “Cooking sleep-inducing foods at low temperatures for long periods of time is ideal,” says Taylor. “Soups and stews–particularly those filled with fiber-rich veggies and legumes–and low-fat casseroles are much more calming and relaxing than seared meats and hot, spicy foods because when you cook something for a long time, the cooking process acts almost like our own digestive system,” says Taylor. Long cooking times break down the starches and sugars in foods, so your body doesn’t have to work very hard to access their nutrients.

Source : DSD Group Email

Disclaimer : The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions of this article. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the Writer/Sender.

This EMAIL is provided as general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor.

How To Quit Smoking !!

Quit Smoking Definition

Smoking tobacco or other substances can be dangerous and addictive.

The tobacco contains nicotine which can cause heart diseases and cancer.

More over smoking causes: yellow teeth, bad breath, and bad smell of cloth, difficulties to breathe, and much more. To quit smoking is not an easy thing to do because the materials are addictive.

How to Quit Smoking with Natural Treatments

• Put mustard seeds on the lungs and tape them with plaster, also rub the spot.

• Drink a lot of water, that will help you to quit smoking and will clean your body from the toxic.

• Every time you have the urge to smoke, put some salt of the tip of your tongue. Repeat for 1-2 month.

• When you feel an urge to smoke, take a gum or a candy.

• Drink a lot of celery juice and carrot juice, that will reduce the urge for cigarettes.

• Work out daily.

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Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer. Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.

Women’s Symptoms for Heart Disease

Heart disease is on the increase among young men and women in the US as well as among those above 65 years of age. Obesity, lack of exercise, improper diet, stress are factors often held for heart disease in both the sexes. Women are also vulnerable to heart disease. Cardiovascular disease amounts to about 43% of death among women. Despite this, women do not consider heart disease as a major health risk.

Since women are also prone to heart disease, it is advisable for them to understand the symptoms of heart disease that afflicts them.

 

What are the symptoms of heart disease among women?

Menopause places women at risk of heart disease. Prior to menopause, the estrogen, a female hormone protects the heart by maintaining sufficient levels of “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which protects the cardiovascular system. Estrogen also relaxes the artery muscles.

Symptoms of heart attack:

• Unusual fatigue.

• Sleep disturbances.

• Indigestion.

• Shortness of breath.

• Anxiety.

• Chest pain.

• Discomfort.

• Dizziness.

• Cold sweat.

• Irregular heart beat.

• Discomfort or pain in either one arm or in both arms.

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

• Angina.

• Burning or hot sensation.

• Tenderness while touching.

• Nausea

• Vomiting.

• Shortness of breath.

• Extreme fatigue.

• Tingling.

Chronic Angina

• Aching.

• Burning.

• Sharp pain.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

• Severe leg pain.

• Increased fatigue.

Women need to take the health symptoms of heart disease seriously. If a woman suffers from any of these symptoms she needs to consult a doctor immediately.

Know Your Fruit And Its Benefits !!

Different fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre. Take Your Pick.....

APPLE :

Key Nutrients : Vitamins C, Iron, Potassium, Sodium, Phospohorus, Calcium, Sulphur

Benefits : Apples detoxify, help intestinal infections and acidity.

BANANA :

Key Nutrients : Potassium folate, Sodium, Chlorine, Iron, Glucose, Amino Acids

Benefits : Bananas detoxify; treat constipation, ulcers, enhance immune system.

ORANGE :

Key Nutrients : Vitamin C, Folate, Potassium, Sodium, Citric Acid, Iron, Manganese, Calcium

Benefits : Orange improves weak digestion, immunity.

PAYAYA :

Key Nutrients : Vitamin A and E, Silicon, Potassium, Calcium, Copper, Folate, Fructose

Benefits : Papaya improves digestion, rids intestinal worms, eases inflammation and constipation.

WATERMELON :

Key Nutrients : Phosphorous, Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Iron, Sucrose, Vitamins B and E

Benefits : Watermelon is a diuretic, helps weight loss, treats kidney and urniary tract problems.

PINEAPPLE :

Key Nutrients : Vitamins B, C and E, Phosphorous, Potassium, Iron, Folate, Sucrose

Benefits : Pineappple is a diuretic, detoxifies, purifies blood, prevents blood clots and increases circulation.

POMEGRANATE :

Key Nutrients  : Calcium, Phosphorous, Iron, Sodium, Vitamin C

Benefits : Pomegranate aids digestion, destroys intestinal worms.

GRAPES :

Key Nutrients : Iron, Potassium, Phophorous, Glucose, Salicylates, Vitamin B and E

Benefits : Grapes are a good source of energy. They purify the blood (useful for anemia, liver malfunctions such as hepatatis and jaundice).

GRAPEFRUIT :

Key Nutrients : Potassium, Folate Iron, Amino Acids, Zinc, Vitamin B and C

Benefits : Grapefruit protects arteries, aids digestion and boosts the immune system.

Source : Inputs from Clinical Exercise Specialist Namita Jain

How Does One Benefit From Eating Celery

Celery contains Vitamin C and several other active compounds that promote health, and whcih may help lower cholestrol. It is also packed with coumarins, that may be useful in cancer prevention. Vitamin C also helps to support the immune system.

Vitamin C rich foods like celery may help reduce cold symptoms or severity of cold symptoms; over 20 scientific studies have concluded that Vitamin C is a cold-fighter.

Vitamin C also prevents the free radical damage that triggers the inflammatory cascade, and is therefore also associated with reduced severity of inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, oseoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Enjoy your celery in the form of a salad or just munch on a stick whenever you feel like it.

Source : TOI

Home Remedies for Acidity

Acidity refers to the excess secretion of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach. The stomach secrets hydrochloric acid that is responsible for proper functioning of the digestive system. This acid further secretes various digestive enzymes like pepsin that break the food particles for easy digestion. A normal level of acid is required in the stomach for proper digestion of the complex foods. When there is less secretion of acid the food is not digested properly and in case of excess secretion it gives rise to a condition known as acidity.

Causes of Acidity

 Refined and fibreless food is the main cause of acidity.

 Stress is the other main cause.

 Smoking and excess of alcohol tends to weaken the nervous system, as a result the mucus membrane and the stomach lining stops functioning properly.

 High intakes of spicy foods, overeating and eating hurriedly are also the causes of acidity.

Home Remedies for Acidity

 Sucking a piece of clove will give relief from acidity.

 Consumption of milk and milk products is beneficial during acidity.

 Intake of fresh mint juice daily is the best home remedy for acidity.

 Taking a mixture of two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of honey in a glass of water before meals, will reduce the chances of acidity and is another good home remedy for acidity.

 Another effective acidity cure is to boil cumin seeds in a glass of water and drink it with meals.

 Intake of spicy foods, fried foods and pickles should be avoided.

 Unripe foods with high pectin content should also be avoided.

 The fruits like watermelon, banana and cucumber also reduce acidity and is good natural remedy for acidity.

 One of the effective home remedies for acidity is Herbal tea containing spearmint (pudina) and liquorice (mulethi) is also beneficial instead of normal tea, coffee and other aerated drinks.

 Drinking water in the early morning controls acidity, as water is a good neutralizer for acid. This is one of the effective acidity treatment.

 Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy wealthy and wise is an old and highly beneficial phrase. This good habit will prevent and control acidity.

 A good Home Remedies for Acidity is to take two teaspoonfuls of white vinegar along with your meals. This will help in proper food digestion and will also control the Acidity that occurs in your stomach.

 Frequent use of medicines like aspirin or disprin should be avoided.

 A good acidity remedy is to Suck 10 grams of jaggery after meals will prevent acid formation.

 Drinking cabbage juice daily also prevents acidity.

 Raw salad of vegetables like onion, radish should be avoided. This is not a good diet for acidity.

 Its always better to have the dinner at least 2 hours before going to bed.

 A good natural remedy for acidity is to Drink coconut water 3-4 times a day also prevents acidity.

 Eating yogurt will provide immediate relief from acidity. This is one of the effective home remedies for acidity.

 Drinking a glass of water with a teaspoon of soda is also beneficial and is good home remedy for acidity.

 Intake of 1-2 tablespoons of white vinegar also provides best acidity treatment.

 Ginger is a spice well known for its gastrointestinal complaints.

 Take a small piece of ginger and convert it into pulp and add to this an equal amount of coriander.

 Mix both of them properly. Eat this as this is one of the good Home Remedies for Acidity.

 
 

Disclaimer : The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions of this article. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the Writer/Sender.

Source : DSD Group Email. This EMAIL is provided as general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor.

Tips to look slim

There are times when you take a break from your sensible-eating and exercise regime and want to just lie back and enjoy all those forbidden foods. Well then you are bound to put on weight but until you have worked towards reducing the excess weight you can follow these few tips to look slim.

* Stand comfortably erect and stick your stomach in. Good posture always makes you look slimmer.

* Dark colours such as olive, black, charcoal grey, and navy help make areas appear smaller so wear them where you think you need it. For most women it's from the waist down.

* Avoid shiny or heavily textured fabrics. Shiny fabrics reflect light, making any area appear larger. Heavily texture fabrics only add extra weight.

* Sewn-down pleats in skirts and blouses can both create a slimming effect. Include vertical lines in your accessories, such as long chains worn around the neck.

* Avoid extensive use of horizontal lines - belts, boat-collar blouses and border print skirts. These styles can add extra width to your body frame.

* Your best asset is your face; so draw attention to it with scarves and jewellery worn around the face.

* Introduce simple lines, such as A-line skirts, tailor-notched, collared blouses and blazers. The oversized blazer is a great solution for camouflaging large derrieres and hips. Double-pleated skirts and trousers mask protruding stomachs and provide comfort as well.

* If you want to appear thinner incorporate dark, cool and dull colours and textures. Dull textures absorb the light like wool or cotton. Some very slimming colours include black, navy, olive, violet, charcoal grey, chocolate brown, plum, eggplant and burgundy.

Disclaimer : The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions of this article. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the Writer/Sender.

This EMAIL is provided as general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor.

Source : DSD Group Email

Know About Your Heart - Part 4

Know About Your Heart - Part 3 can be viewed here

Know About Your Heart - Part 2 can be viewed here

Know About Your Heart - Part 1 can be viewed here

Qn: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)?

Ans : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up..

Qn: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead to heart problems?

Ans : No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your exercise capacity.

Qn: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?

Ans : Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot..

Qn: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?

Ans: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics.

Qn: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?

Ans : Diet, exercise, drugs on time , Control cholesterol, BP, weight.....

Qn: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease when compared to day shift workers?

Ans : No.

Qn: What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?

Ans : There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.

Qn: Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart attacks?

Ans : No.

Qn: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?

Ans : Nature protects women till the age of 45.

Qn: How can one keep the heart in a good condition?

Ans : Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke and, go for health checkup s if you are past the age of 30 ( once in six months recommended) ....

 

 

Source : Excerpts from Interview of Dr.Devi Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist) Bangalore 

Know About Your Heart - Part 3

Know About Your Heart - Part 2 can be viewed here
Know About Your Heart - Part 1 can be viewed here


Qn: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the child. Is it true?

Ans : Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may not have a software engineer as a child

Qn: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart ? What precautions would you recommend?

Ans : When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities. However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.

Qn: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications (short / long term)?

Ans : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modern anti-hypertensive drugs are extremely safe.

Qn: Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?

Ans : No.

Qn: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?

Ans : No.

Qn: How would you define junk food?

Ans : Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds , samosas, and even masala dosas.

Qn: You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk food?

Ans: Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.

Qn: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?

Ans : No.

 
 
Source : Excerpts from Interview of Dr.Devi Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist) Bangalore

Know About Your Heart - Part 2

Know About Your Heart - Part 1  can be viewed here

Qn: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart ?

Ans: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.

Qn: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age (I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age?

Ans: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.

Qn: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?

Ans: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.

Qn: Can yoga prevent heart ailments?

Ans: Yoga helps.

Qn: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?

Ans: Fruits and vegetables are the best and the worst is oil.

Qn: Which oil is better - groundnut, sunflower, olive?

Ans: All oils are bad ..

Qn: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific test?

Ans: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo.

Qn: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?

Ans: Help the person into a sleeping position , place an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour.

Qn: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and that caused due to gastric trouble?

Ans: Extremely difficult without ECG.

 

Qn: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks and serious heart problems.

Ans: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans and Americans.

Qn: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of 120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?

Ans: Yes.

 

 

Source : Excerpts from Interview of Dr.Devi Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist) Bangalore

Know About Your Heart - Part 1

Qn : What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?

Ans :

1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil

2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime

3. Quit smoking

4. Control weight

5. Control blood pressure and sugar

Qn: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?

Ans: No

Qn: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?

Ans: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.

Qn: Are heart diseases hereditary?

Ans: Yes

Qn: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress?

Ans: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life.

Qn: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart?

Ans: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints

Qn: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?

Ans: Extremely rare

Excerpts of Dr.Devi Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist) Bangalore