Thursday, March 27, 2014

... . . The amazing health benefits of amla or Indian gooseberry

          • Amla is known to reduce cholesterol, and keep heart disease under check. Rich in fibre and iron, it is very effective in controlling the oxidation of LDL (Low density lipoprotein). Oxidation of LDL releases free radicals which are known to cause coronary artery disease, therefore stopping this oxidation is essential for preventing heart disease. Amla also helps to maintain cholesterol levels by inhibiting the oxidative properties of a chemical called thiobarbituric acid (TBA) that induces LDL oxidation. Another benefit of this wonder fruit is that it prevents arthrosclerosis (accumulation of plaque in the arteries) thereby protecting you from heart disease
          • The extract of amla is rich in Vitamin A. This vitamin is essential in collagen production, a compound that keeps the skin looking young and elastic. Amla when consumed on an empty stomach has properties that slow down the degradation of collagen and helps the body produce more. Here are more articles on healthy ageing. 
        • Studies have proved that amla has properties that protect the liver from oxidative damage caused by chemicals or alcohol. So after a long night of partying, have a piece of amla first thing in the morning, to get rid of that hangover and keep your liver safe.
      • Research studies show that the polyphenol- rich fruit actually has properties that can protect the body from the oxidative properties of high blood sugar. The same compound is also effective in preventing the insulin resistance caused due to a high fructose diet. What this means is that the fruit can actually assist in the proper absorption of insulin leading to a drop in blood sugar in diabetics. Read more about natural ways to control diabetes.
    • Rich in Vitamin C and polyphenols, amla is a great source of antioxidants. Research has shown that it has a high content of tannins, which when combined with polyphenols gives the fruit a unique free radical scavenging property. This unique asset helps reduce the damage caused by free radicals on the body. 
  • Packed with antioxidant properties, amla has the potential to keep cancer at bay. Research into this particular property of the fruit, has found that it had the potential to prevent cancer by helping the body fight the harmful effects of chemicals that are carcinogenic. It also helps to inhibit the further growth of cancer affected cells. Apart from this, Amla extract can reduce the harmful effects of radiation and chemotherapy without reducing their beneficial effects as an anti cancer treatment. Here are food habits that can prevent cancer.


      • In a recent study, it was found that the iron content in amla has sperm enhancing properties. Ayurvedic practitioners suggest, drinking amla juice once a day helps increase the virility as well as sexual vigour. Amla has also proven to increase the motility of sperm and increase sperm production in men suffering from Oligospermia (a condition where a man has a low sperm count). Here are some exercises that can help you to improve your sex life. Incorporate these lifestyle changes for a better sex life.
    • The fiber, polyphenol and water content of amla combined with its anti inflammatory properties make it a great antidote for an upset stomach. Having one teaspoon of amla juice on an empty stomach can take care of acidity and resolve a stomach upset. Try these home remedies for acidity.
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Home remedies for dry skin

Simple home remedies for dry skin

By Mdhil | Mdhil – 18 hours ago
Combat that itchy, dry skin with our home remedies!

Itchy, dry, flaky skin can be very unpleasant. Those over-the-counter products seldom work, and also leave a hole in your pocket. So what can you do to soothe that cracking skin? Try out our hand-picked home remedies that are sure to take you closer to the smooth skin you desire.
Scoop some milk cream: Milk cream makes for a very good moisturiser. Mix a few drops of lime, a tsp. of milk and two tsp. of milk cream and rub onto your hands and legs. Leave it on for a while before you head for a shower. You’ll see the difference immediately
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Dab on some aloe vera: If you don’t have an aloe plant at home as yet, then make a trip to the nearest nursery and get one, because aloe is super good for your skin! After bath, slice a piece of aloe, squeeze all the gel out and apply onto your face, hands or legs. It will not only moisturise your skin, it will also form a protective layer that will keep impurities from entering your pores. Although aloe is a good skin hydrant, it can leave your skin feeling tight. So you might want to dab on some moisturiser.

Go the milky way: Keep aside a 4 tsp. of raw milk before you put it to boil for your morning coffee/tea. Add a few drops of rose water/ lime and rub it all over your body and wash with cold water. Do this twice a day. And your skin will feel baby soft. 

A vitamin-E boost! Make a trip to your chemist and buy some vitamin-E capsules (they don’t cost much!). Cut out 2 capsules, squeeze out the oil, mix a few drops of lime juice and apply all over your body. Take a shower and feel the difference.

Stock up on glycerine: Glycerine helps absorb and retain moisture, so it would be a good idea to buy a bottle from your nearest chemist. Mix a teaspoon of glycerine with a few drops of lime and massage onto your skin. Leave it on for a few minutes before you wash it off. l

A serving of coconut milk? Coconut milk not only reduces skin dryness, but also helps combat dark spots and blemishes. If you have time to spare, make some fresh coconut milk at home or buy one of those packages ones. Rub it onto your face and body, and leave it overnight. Make sure to spread out an old bed-sheet and pillow cover.

Top tip for dry skin:
Once you’ve done either of these treatments a couple times, you must pay attention to exfoliating dead cells. Use a loofah or buy a body scrub that isn’t very rough on your skin (apricot or walnut) and scrub your body at least once a week.

Do not use any exfoliator until your dry skin heals a little, else it gets worse!

And yes, do drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated. Read our article on Watch your Water Intake this Winter, for more!

Hi honey! Honey helps lock in moisture, has antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, which makes it a sought after ingredient in many over-the-counter skincare products. Why shell out money on those, when you can buy yourself a bottle of honey (which is cheaper) and use it to treat your skin. Lightly heat 2 tsp. of honey any apply it onto your skin (face, hands, legs) while warm. Leave it on for 15 minutes, and then wash it off. There’s nothing better your skin can ask for.

The good ol’ curd: Curd makes for an excellent skin hydrant, and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties will help soothe your dry, itchy skin. Apply curd just as it is or mix it with some honey and a few drops of lime. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes before you wash it off. It is sure to do wonders for your skin.

Scoop some milk cream: Milk cream makes for a very good moisturiser. Mix a few drops of lime, a tsp. of milk and two tsp. of milk cream and rub onto your hands and legs. Leave it on for a while before you head for a shower. You’ll see the difference immediately.

Simple home remedies for dry skin

Oil therapy: Rub on some olive, almond or coconut oil and massage lightly on to your hands, legs and the rest of your body before heading for a shower. If time permits, heat the oil and then apply Post shower, use a light moisturiser/sunscreen, because winter sun isn’t any less harsh.


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Oil therapy: Rub on some olive, almond or coconut oil and massage lightly on to your hands, legs and the rest of your body before heading for a shower. If time permits, heat the oil and then apply. Post shower, use a light moisturiser/sunscreen.
Scoop some milk cream: Milk cream makes for a very good moisturiser. Mix a few drops of lime, a tsp. of milk and two tsp. of milk cream and rub onto your hands and legs. Leave it on for a while before you head for a shower. You’ll see the difference immediately.
The good ol’ curd: Curd makes for an excellent skin hydrant, and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties will help soothe your dry, itchy skin. Apply curd just as it is or mix it with some honey and a few drops of lime. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes before you wash it off. It is sure to do wonders for your skin.
Hi honey! Honey helps lock in moisture, has antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, which makes it a sought after ingredient in many over-the-counter skincare products. Why shell out money on those, when you can buy yourself a bottle of honey (which is cheaper) and use it to treat your skin. Lightly heat 2 tsp. of honey any apply it onto your skin (face, hands, legs) while warm. Leave it on for 15 minutes, and then wash it off. There’s nothing better your skin can ask for.
Dab on some aloe vera: If you don’t have an aloe plant at home as yet, then make a trip to the nearest nursery and get one, because aloe is super good for your skin! After bath, slice a piece of aloe, squeeze all the gel out and apply onto your face, hands or legs. It will not only moisturise your skin, it will also form a protective layer that will keep impurities from entering your pores. Although aloe is a good skin hydrant, it can leave your skin feeling tight. So you might want to dab on some moisturiser.
Go the milky way: Keep aside a 4 tsp. of raw milk before you put it to boil for your morningcoffee/tea. Add a few drops of rose water/ lime and rub it all over your body and wash with cold water. Do this twice a day. And your skin will feel baby soft.
A vitamin-E boost! Make a trip to your chemist and buy some vitamin-E capsules (they don’t cost much!). Cut out 2 capsules, squeeze out the oil, mix a few drops of lime juice and apply all over your body. Take a shower and feel the difference.
Stock up on glycerine: Glycerine helps absorb and retain moisture, so it would be a good idea to buy a bottle from your nearest chemist. Mix a teaspoon of glycerine with a few drops of lime and massage onto your skin. Leave it on for a few minutes before you wash it off.
A serving of coconut milk? Coconut milk not only reduces skin dryness, but also helps combat dark spots and blemishes. If you have time to spare, make some fresh coconut milk at home or buy one of those packages ones. Rub it onto your face and body, and leave it overnight. Make sure to spread out an old bed-sheet and pillow cover.

Top tip for dry skin:

Once you’ve done either of these treatments a couple times, you must pay attention to exfoliating dead cells. Use a loofah or buy a body scrub that isn’t very rough on your skin (apricot or walnut) and scrubyour body at least once a week.
Do not use any exfoliator until your dry skin heals a little, else it gets worse!
And yes, do drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated. Read our article on Watch your Water Intake this Winter, for more!
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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Natural methods tips

Natural methods / tips for making skin glow and improving facial skin complexion :
• Take 1 tablespoon of milk powder and mix it with one tablespoon of honey, one tablespoon of lemon juice and half tablespoon of almond oil.
Mix all the items well, make it a paste and apply it on your face and neck daily and wash after an hour.
It will give you a perfect glowing skin.
• Include healthy fruits like banana, papaya, apple and watermelon in your diet according to the season and availability.
Vegetables like Spinach, Carrot, Tomato, Cabbage also provide required minerals, vitamins and proteins to your skin.
• If you prefer milk, then have 250 ml of cow milk everyday without sugar (use other sweeteners like candy sugar or honey etc but not chemically processed sugar) and avoid coffee, tea and other such beverages.
• Do not allow your face and neck skin to come directly in contact with sunlight. Use good sunscreen lotion.
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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Yoga – facts you should know

Hot Yoga – 8 facts you should know

Hot Yoga is a form of Yoga practised under extremely high temperatures.

By Editorial Team | TheHealthSite.com – Fri 28 Feb, 2014 7:40 PM IST
Find out more about Hot Yoga. A form of Yoga practised under extremely high temperatures. Continue reading →
Hot Yoga is making waves in the fitness world, not because it is fun, but also because it’s a great exercise. Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray have practised the regime. Expert says that 50-minute classes can help in achieving a healthy body, if done religiously.
1. Michele Pernetta, a known yoga teacher, says Hot Yoga means exercising in a hot room. ‘It originally was Bikram Yoga (started by Bikram Choudhury). Then other people started teaching different styles in a hot room, everything from Bikram Yoga, Power Yoga, to Ashtanga or a personal mix from a teacher who may or may not be qualified to teach in hot conditions. So the term really just means you are doing yoga in a hot room,’ said Pernetta.
2. There are less chances of injuries in such yoga as the heat allows you to press further into the poses as your muscles and joints are at their optimum temperature. (Read: How to choose your yoga class)
3. Deeper stretching brings more blood and oxygen to your body. (Read: Health benefits of Yoga)
4. You detoxify through sweating. The skin is the largest organ of the body and research has shown that toxins such as unwanted metals and salts are eliminated through sweating. (Read more about detoxifying your body)
    Butterfly Pose0:44
    Authentic Yoga is a collaboration between Deepak Chopra and Tara Stiles. In this video learn the practice of Butterfly Pose.
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    5. It also makes it much easier to perform the poses as you feel loose and comfortable. People also find the heat cathartic. It has the effect of relaxing you on a deep level, allowing you to go into places you couldn’t normally reach, releasing mental and emotional stresses you don’t normally get the opportunity to look at in normal daily life.
    6. Monitoring the diet while doing hot yoga is also important.  ‘I believe the ayurvedic diet system is the best, as there are three main body types and diets, and what is good for one person, is not good for another,’ said Pernetta.  ‘Have a proper meal with protein. Eating less sugar and carbohydrate and more vegetables and good fats such as coconut oil, ghee, cold pressed olive oil, organic food and protein,’ she added. (Read: Power Yoga – what you need to know)
    7. Despite its benefits, Hot Yoga has come under severe criticism from some fitness experts since the exercises are performed under extreme temperature. There have been cases of people fainting due to the dizziness caused due to the heat. What makes it even more dangerous is that instructors tell people that feeling nauseous and dizzy is normal and that they will get over it. Fitness experts argue that sweating to release toxins may not be scientifically a good idea. ‘If you’re in a hot and humid environment, your ability to lose heat from sweating is hugely decreased because the air is already saturated.’, Dr Stephen Cheung, an expert in the area of heat stress told The Globe and Mail. Some experts even suggest that extreme temperatures could damage proteins in the body.
    8. Taking necessary precautions like hydrating yourself well, not eating just before the class and consuming foods rich in sodium and potassium will certainly help. 

    Power Yoga and its Benefits

    Power yoga, a dynamic fitness based derivative of yoga, is modelled on Ashtanga yoga. It is is fast becoming an increasingly budget-friendly and viable fitness

    By Sumitra Nair | iDiva.com – Thu 13 Mar, 2014 9:00 AM IST
    power yoga and its benefits
    Power yoga, a dynamic fitness based derivative of yoga, is modelled on Ashtanga yoga. With new power yoga centres cropping up in every Indian metro today, it is no longer restricted within the realm of the rich and famous. Power yoga is fast becoming an increasingly budget-friendly and viable fitness option for all of us. If you’ve been wondering about whether power yoga is the right choice for you, or not, look no further. We ask holistic health expert,Mickey Mehta, to tell us about why you should consider switching to power yoga today.

    What is Power Yoga?     Due to its up tempo and brisk nature, power yoga is essentially like an aerobic workout, where yoga poses are done faster and in continuation. Power yoga when practised regularly and under supervision helps your body achieve stability, balance, posture and tone. It is a fast paced work out and can be practised by anyone who enjoys exercising.

    10 yoga poses to keep diabetes under control

    With the rising number of people being diagnosed with diabetes, it is no wonder scientists are looking for newer methods to treat the disease. One of the cornerstones of controlling one’s blood sugar is regular and holistic exercise. And Yoga is one such ancient, holistic way to do so.
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    Exercise is the keyOne suffers from diabetes when the blood cells do not respond to insulin produced in the body. When you follow a regular exercise regimen, your body starts responding to insulin, ...more 
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    Benefits of Power Yoga1. Calorie burning.
    2. Increases stamina, strength, flexibility and tone.
    3. Promotes blood circulation and boosts the immune system.
    4. Alleviates stress and tension.
    5. Eliminates toxins through sweat.

    Is Power Yoga better than other Cardio Routines or Strength Training?    An hour of power yoga burns only up to 200 calories per hour; which is lesser in comparison to other workouts like aerobics (400 calories per hour), swimming (350 calories per hour at moderate speeds) and jogging (300 calories per hour at slow speeds). But, power yoga tones your body without stressing your joints and muscles too much, which might be a plus point for older people.

    Moreover, since the asanas target the spine, power yoga helps maintain proper posture while strengthening your back. An added advantage of the strenuous repetition of asanas is the stamina you build over each session. Every power yoga asana involves concentrating on your breathing and the part of the body that is being worked upon, improving your focus.

    Our take:     If your aim is to burn fat and lose weight, you are better off opting for another kind of cardio workout like running or swimming and later take up power yoga to tone your body further. Whether it competes with strength training or not, completely depends on how regularly you practise power yoga. You’ll find equal numbers of supporters on both sides of the spectrum, some who consider strength training a far superior physical workout, and some who say that power yoga is a more holistic approach to physical fitness. The bottom line remains that whether you’re pushing weights or completing rigorous power yoga asanas, you are always supposed to focus on your breathing and regularity of workout. Aerobic exercises like power yoga and anaerobic exercises like weight lifting, both, heavily depend on the human body’s breathing function to burn calories, or build muscle tone, while strenghthening your body and building stamina.
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