Jindal Naturecure Institute Blog

Prediabetes and Nature Cure Management

Sep 192017

Prediabetes is a serious health condition which, however, offers a great opportunity to prevent type 2 diabetes or at least defer the disease of type 2 diabetes. Elevated sugar levels in the blood put you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes but you can take the steps to prevent it.

This stage is a precursor of diabetes. In this condition blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not quite enough to diagnose as type 2 diabetes. This precursor condition is also known as impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose, which we can diagnose with simple blood test. We should consider this condition seriously without using any medication or treatment. We can reverse or post pone the diabetes by making simple changes in lifestyle.

Science of prediabetes

Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas and released into the bloodstream. When the body breaks down carbohydrates from the food we eat into glucose, also known as blood sugar, insulin helps the body’s cells to absorb the glucose and use it for energy. If the cells have developed a condition called insulin resistance where in they have lost the sensitivity to insulin, although the body still produces insulin, it is not used effectively, causing glucose to build up in the blood instead of being absorbed by cells. This increase in blood glucose leads to prediabetes, and eventually type 2 diabetes, if left untreated.

Who is at risk?

Many are undiagnosed and unaware of their condition. This is partially because prediabetes usually has no symptoms. It’s important to know the risk factors.

You may have pre-diabetes if you:

Are overweight.
Are age 45 or older.
Have a family history of pre – diabetes or type 2 diabetes
Are African American, Alaska Native, Hispanic / Latino, or Pacific Islander American,
Have hypertension (high blood pressure) or high cholesterol,
Participate in physical activity fewer than three times per week,
Have had gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant) or have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds.

Causes

Although family history and genetics appear to play an important role, especially abdominal fat – and inactivity also seem to be important factors in the development of pre -diabetes.

Diagnosis based on Hbalc

According to American diabetic association A1C less than 5.7 is normal, 5.7–6.4 is prediabetes, 6.5 and above is diabetes.

Naturopathic approach

Nature cure is lifestyle modification science. It strongly believes in prevention. In nature cure we are not treating the disease; we are supporting the body by following the fundamentals of nature. By that body can overcome the disease. As a part of it we have to follow a modified lifestyle. It includes intake of natural & nutritious food, at least 3-4 liters of clean and purified water, regular exercise and adequate sleep.

Naturopathic treatments will enhance the functions of all internal organs and improve the secretions of endocrinal glands in quality and quantity and reduce the insulin resistance. Taking to naturopathic way of life will bring down the weight reducing the unnecessary fat mass from the body to achieve the healthy BMI which will contribute to prevent diabetes.

A study on pre diabetics

Group 1: Lifestyle changes. Participants in this group exercised for 30 minutes a day and lowered their caloric and fat intake.
Group 2: Diabetes education. This group received information about diet and exercise and took a placebo-a pill without any active medication in it.

The study found that those in lifestyle group had the best benefits, averaging 6kg of weight loss, cutting the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58%over 3years.

In addition to lifestyle changes such as achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, increasing physical activity and eating a healthy diet, talk to your healthcare provider about what prevention methods are right for you.

It is time for you to take your health seriously at the first sight of symptoms of pre diabetes, lest you will suffer irrevocably.

Click for detailed story

Asthma Bath

Naturopathy

Aug 172017

Bronchial asthma is a major burden affecting more than 300 million people globally. It is an immune inflammatory disorder characterized by air way hyper responsiveness associated with bronchospasm, edema of mucus membrane and airway obstruction. The symptoms are episodic or chronic wheezing, cough and feeling of tightness in the chest as a result of broncho-constriction.

Asthma bath is one of the important naturopathic modalities (hydrotherapeutic measure) which helps in relieving the muscle spasm, improving the lung functions relieving and enhancing the depth of respiration, and thus, relieves congestion from the lungs. Hence it is helpful in asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other respiratory ailments.

The procedure

During Asthma bath, patient will be made to lie in the immersion tub, half filled with water, at a temperature of 37–38°c. The hot water tap is then opened and temperature is raised up to 40 to 42°C. The duration is four minutes. Then the body is rubbed, beginning with the left leg, then the left arm, abdomen, chest, right arm, right leg, back and the spine. The spine is rubbed till the skin turns red. After rubbing the spine, the chest and the abdomen are rubbed again, for three to four minutes. When rubbing is over, the flow of hot water is stopped. Then you are asked to sit in an upright position and exhale for an instant, and a bucketful of cold water is splashed over the back. Immediately, the patient is asked to inhale, and half a bucket of cold water is poured on chest. Now the patient is to lie in this potion for 2–4 minutes.

This process has to be repeated twice or thrice. The water in the tub has to be brought back always to 37–38°. Finally, a short, cold shower for 2 minutes, and thirty to forty minutes of relaxation is advised.

General Instruction:

Carry loose fitting and easily removable clothes.
Do not go for the treatment on a full stomach.

Contra indication

Heart ailments.
Open wounds and fractures.
Woman who are pregnant or anyone with abnormally high or low blood pressure.
Recently operated.
During menstruation
Vertigo

Physiological effects of asthma bath – A JNI Experience

A common noticeable factor in bronchial asthma patients is that the functional efficiency of one or more excretory organs will be low because of morbid accumulations and lowered vitality. The process of oxygenation and circulation will be erratic due to congested bronchi. In the present study, asthma bath provided to the patients aimed at improving these factors.

The improvement in lung functions following asthma bath are due to the short peripheral vasoconstriction following the treatment. Broncho-constriction is one of the characteristic features of asthma and hence the main goal of the treatment is to release this constriction. It happens as a reaction to the long continuous rubbing, warm water application, and a sudden splashing of cold water to the chest, which causes a peripheral vasoconstriction always followed by a long vasodilatation in periphery as well as to the vital organs present in the thoracic cavity. The blood is mainly directed towards the vital organ, especially towards the chest because of the cold splash. The sudden splashing of cold water is also potent to induce an adrenalin rush or a sympathetic arousal in the body as the impulses of the cold receptor travels to the sympathetic ganglia of the spinal cord which causes a highly localized stress response. And the same adrenalin will be directed towards the bronchi and bind to the beta-adrenergic receptor causing a broncho-dilatation.

Thus this particular treatment modality has a vital role to play as a primary health care practice of asthma.

JNI has extensive research work on this disease as well as its treatment modality which is being practiced successfully for years with excellent effect.

Click for detailed story

Reflexology

Naturopathy

Jul 282017

Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas on the feet, hands, or ears. Reflexologists believe that these areas and reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and that pressing them has a beneficial effect on the organs and person’s general health.

Although reflexology is not used to diagnose or cure health disorders, millions of people around the world use it to complement other treatments when addressing conditions like anxiety, asthma, cancer treatment, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, headaches, kidney function, PMS, and sinusitis.

Where are the reflexology points and areas?

In reflexology theory, points and areas on the feet, hands, and ears correspond to specific organs, bones and body systems. Practitioners access these points on the feet and hands (bottom, sides, and top) and the ear (both inside as far as the finger can reach and outside) to affect organs and systems throughout the entire body.

Maps of reflex points have been passed amongst practitioners across the globe. Understandably, there is no agreement among all reflexologists on all points; however, general agreement does exist on major reflex points. Some scientific documentation of linkages between the skin and internal organs also exists.

To represent how the body systems correspond to. one another, reflexologists use reflexology ‘maps’. A good example of a reflexology map exists for the feet. Each foot represents a vertical half of the body:

The left foot corresponds to the left side of the body and all organs, valves, etc. of that side are found there.
The right foot corresponds to the right side of the body and all organs of that side are found there. For example, the liver is on the right side of the body, and therefore the corresponding reflex area is on the right foot.

Whatever the specific technique, reflexology theory holds that the practitioner is working to release congestion or stress in the nervous system and balance the body’s energy.

Benefits of Reflexology

It stimulates nerve function, relieves pam
Boosts circulation & increases energy
Induces a deep state of relaxation
Eliminates toxins
Stimulates the central nervous system.
Prevents migraines.
Cleans up urinary tract conditions.
Speeds up recovery after injury / surg
Helps relieve sleep disorders.
Reduces depression.

Furthermore, it can help ease the treatment of various cancers and even may soothe the pains of pregnancy, including those occurring after the baby is born.

Reflexology at JNI

Reflexology track at JNI is a good example of an ideal track. It has 3 circles in it.

First is a pebble track. Walk slowly on this track for one round.

The second a sand track. Walk on the dry sand next for two rounds.

Third round is hot and cold water track. Three times alternatively hot and cold water track are to be walked through. Walk very slowly, spending 1 minute in hot water and 15 seconds in cold water track placed in rows, taking 3 minutes 45 seconds for one round. Walk for 3 rounds.

Feel the pressure and water temperature consciously while walking, taking more care of the tender points on the feet.

Click for detailed story

Visceral Fat

Naturopathy

May 202017

Visceral fat technically means excess intra-abdominal adipose tissue accumulation. In other words, it is known as a “deep” fat that is stored further underneath the skin than “subcutaneous” belly fat. It is a form of gellike fat that is actually wrapped around major organs, including the liver, pancreas and kidneys.

Visceral fat is especially dangerous because, as you will find out, these fat cells do more than just sit there and cause your pants to feel tight – they also change the way your body operates.

Types of fat

There are different types of fat present in the body. Brown fat, white fat, subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, belly fat, and thigh fat.

Brown fat: Scientists have found that lean people tend to have more brown fat than overweight or obese people.
White fat: White fat is more plentiful than brown. It is to store energy and produce hormones that are then secreted into the blood stream
Subcutaneous fat: It is found directly underneath the skin. It is fat that is measured using skin fold calipers to estimate your total bodyfat.
Belly fat: It has a reserved reputation as unhealthy fat. Abdominal fat is viewed as a bigger health risk than hip or thigh fat.
Thigh and buttock fat: While men tend to accumulate fat in the belly it is no secret women, especially if pear shaped, accumulate it in their thighs and buttocks.
Visceral fat: Visceral or deep fat wraps around the inner organs and spells trouble for your health.

Carrying around excess visceral fat is linked with an increased risk for many fatal diseases like coronary artery disease, cancer, stroke, dementia, diabetes, depression, arthritis, obesity, sexual dysfunction, sleep disorders etc.

When there is too much glucose ill our bloodstream and our cells already have filled glycogen stores, glucose is stored as fat. The more often and longer that blood insulin levels remain high, the more likely a person is to accumulate excess body fat and to battle weight problems. Insulin also communicates with many other hormones needed for various functions, including those made in the adrenal glands, such as the stress hormone cortisol. Abnormally high levels of insulin and hormonal imbalances result in powerful urges to eat, mood changes, lack of energy and various other factors that contribute to disease formation. Hence it is very important to maintain a healthy insulin level in our blood stream.

Management:

Research suggests that when you control diet, you mostly lose white fat, which is different than visceral fat and tends to be lost or gained evenly all over the body. You are more likely to lose visceral fat when you combine exercise with diet control.

Naturopathy Treatments

Oil massage improves general health and helps in mobilising fat.
Mud therapy (direct & indirect).
Hip bath.
Steam & sauna bath increase the body’s basal metabolic rate and help as an adjuvant in burning fat.
Warm water enema, regularly for the first 3-4 days of fasting, and thereafter, every alternate day during extended periods of fasting, is beneficial.
Friction baths, graduated immersion baths, neutral whirlpool and underwater massage are also beneficial.
Fasting, initially for a period of 3-4 days, on low calorie liquids, such as lemon juice and adequate intake of fluids, is useful.
Fasting once a week thereafter is adequate.

Visceral fat, in fact, is an avoidable health nuisance which should not be alIowed to accumulate at all. In this, proper diet, exercise and sleep are the most important tools to help you out.

Nutrients to protect your brain from aging 

Cocoa flavanols are found naturally in cocoa and are beneficial to your brain health;

Omega-3 fatty acids which can be had aplenty from fish, flaxseed, avocado, and nuts are going to not only help your heart health, but also give you a boost in your brainpower.

Walnuts, in particular, have been shown to fight memory loss.

Magnesium 
Scientists believe that a magnesium deficiency may play a role in cognitive decline, brain aging, and ultimately, dementia. So taking magnesium supplements - or eating foods that contain magnesium, like chard, spinach, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, almonds, black beans, avocados, figs, dark chocolate, or bananas can help you fight off the effects of the aging on brain.

Click for detailed story

Vitamin D – Sunshine Vitamin

Naturopathy

Apr 292017

Vitamin D called as Sunshine Vitamin is a nutrient, needed for overall health and strong bones. But as per the latest data, about 50-80% of adult Indians are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and hormone that is essential for maintaining normal calcium metabolism, muscle, cardiac and neurological functions and regulation of inflammation.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) can be synthesised by humans in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation from sunlight, or it can be obtained from the diet. Plants synthesise ergosterol, which is converted to vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) by Ultraviolet light. When exposure to UVB radiation is insufficient for the synthesis of adequate amounts of vitamin D3 in the skin, adequate intake of vitamin D from the diet is essential for health.

It can be found in small amounts in a few foods, including milk, whole grains, cheese, butter, and cod liver oil. To make vitamin D more available, it is added to dairy products, juices, and cereals that are then said to be fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin D itself is biologically inactive, and it must be metabolised to its biologically active forms. After it is consumed in the diet or synthesised in the epidermis of skin, vitamin D enters the circulation and is transported to the liver. In the liver, vitamin D is hydroxylated to form 25-hydroxy vitamin D (calcidiol- 25-hydroxy vitamin D); the major circulating form of vitamin D. 25(OH) D is frequently measured as an index of vitamin D status. In the human body, the highest concentration of 25(OH) D is noted in the plasma.

But the largest pool of 25(OH) D is in adipose tissue and muscle.

But most of vitamin D 80% to 90% of what the body gets – is obtained through exposure to sunlight, for as little as 10 minutes.

Exposure of the hands, face, arms and legs to sunlight two to three times a week will help the skin to produce enough vitamin D and prevent deficiency. The necessary exposure time varies with age, skin type, season, time of day, etc.

Older people are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. They are less likely to spend time in the sun, have fewer “receptors” in their skin that convert sunlight to vitamin D, may not get vitamin D in their diet, may have trouble absorbing vitamin D due to aging kidneys.

Normal Levels of Vitamin D:

Ideal – Is 40-60 ng/ml

Insufficient – Is 21-29 ng/ml

Deficient – Is less than 20 ng/ml

Intoxication (excess) – Is more than 150 ng/ml

Vitamin D toxicity:

(Hypervitaminosis D) induces abnormally high serum calcium levels (hypercalcemia), which could result in bone loss, kidney stones, and calcification of organs like the heart and kidneys if untreated over a long period of time.

Naturopathy and Yoga advices the sun bath as “Heliotherapy” for vitamin D synthesis and absorption.

Every day early morning or late evening sun exposure for 20-30 minutes, yogic exercises, pranayama and barefoot walking on grass is beneficial to combat vitamin D deficiency.

Natural diet emphasizing on raw salads, sprouts, cereals, green leafy vegetables, soya milk, and nuts helps to maintain vitamin D at the optimum level.

Benefits of Vitamin D:

Bone health: Prevents osteopenla,osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Rickets and fractures

Cellular health: Prevents certain cancers, such as prostate, pancreatic, breast, ovarian, and colon; prevents infectious diseases and upper respiratory- tract infections, asthma, and wheezing disorders

Organ health: Prevents heart disease and stroke; prevents type -2 diabetes, periodontitis and tooth loss, and other inflammatory diseases

Muscular health: Supports muscle strength

Autoimmune health: Prevents multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes mellitus, crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis

Brain health: Prevents depression, schizophrenia, alzheimer’s disease, and dementia

Mood health: Prevents seasonal affective related disorder, premenstrual syndrome (PMS’, also known as premenstrual tension), and sleeping disorders, elevates the sense well-being

Click for detailed story

Kokum (Garcinia Indic)

Naturopathy

Apr 292017

The kokum is native to the western coastal regions of southern India and is rarely seen beyond this area. Even in India it is used only in the regional cuisines of Gujarat, Maharashtra and several southern states where large glasses of kokum Guice) sherbet are downed during parched summer months. In this region the sweltering heat demands refrigerant (cooling) ingredients in food and drink. Kokum is well known to counteract the heat.

Spice Description:

Kokum is a dark purple to black, sticky and with curled edges fruit. It is often halved, and dried seeds are visible in their chambers like a citrus fruit. It is usually available as a dried rind, resembling a thick plum skin. When added to food it imparts a pink to purple colour and sweet/sour taste.

Preparation and Storage:

Similar to tamarind, kokum skins are usually available as dried rind or fruit, and infused in hot water. The deeper the colour the better the kokum.

Attributed Medicinal Properties:

It is useful as an infusion, or by direct application, in skin ailments such as rashes caused by allergies. Kokum butter is an emollient helpful in the treatment of burns, scalds and chaffed skin. The fruits are steeped in sugar syrup to make amrutkokum which is drink to relieve sunstroke.

Dried kokum fruit rinds are widely used in cooking as they impart a sweetish-tangy flavor to the food. The fruits contain citric acid, acetic acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, hydroxycitric acid and garcinol.

Medicinal Properties and Application:

Kokum fruits contain rich amounts of anti-oxidants that bind with free redicals and prevent oxidative damage to body cells. They also promote cell regeneration and repair. Extracts from the Kokum fruit are traditionally used to relieve gastric problems like acidity, flatulence, constipation and indigestion. Kokum juice is a healthier and far more refreshing option as compared to commercial bottled drinks. It acts as an appetite stimulant and also has antihelminti properties. The hydroxycitric acid present in the fruit fights cholesterol and curbs lipogenesis, thus aiding weight loss.

Availability and Use:

Dried kokum is easily available at most Indian food stores. The rinds may be soaked in hot water for a few hours to extract the juice which may be mixed with spices and consumed directly. Alternatively, you could add a few pieces of the dried rind to curries and gravies as a substitute for other souring agents like tamarind, vinegar and lemon juice.

Click for detailed story

Recipes of JNI Kitchen

Naturopathy

Apr 152017

Garlic Schezwan Sauce

Calories – 30 Kcals Serves – 4 no

Ingredients

Tomato puree: l cup
Garlic: l tsp
Ginger: l tsp
Tomato sauce: l tbsp
Vinegar: 1 tbsp
Red chilli paste: 1 tbsp (red chillies soaked in warm water and ground to a fine paste)
Celery: few
Salt: to taste
Oil

Method

Add oil in a pan and sauté ginger and garlic.
Add celery leaves, tomato puree, tomato sauce, vinegar, chilli paste, mix well and simmer for few minutes.

Whole Wheat Pasta /noodles

Calories – 75 Kcals Serves – 4 Nos

Ingredients

Whole wheat – 500gm
Salt to taste
Water – 250 ml

Method:

Mix together whole wheat flour and salt in a medium bowl, or on a clean board.
Make a hollow in the center, and add water mixing quickly with a fork until the dough is wet enough to come together.
Knead on a lightly floured surface until the dough is stiff and elastic.
Roll out ‘dough by hand with a rolling pin, or use a pasta/noodles machine to achieve the desired thickness of noodles/pasta.
Cut into desired width and shapes.
Steam the pasta/ noodles for 15 minutes. Allow the pasta/noodles to air dry for at least one day.
Store in an air tight container.

Mexican Noodles/Pasta

Calories – 120 Kcals Serves – 4 Nos

Ingredients:

Whole wheat noodles 1 cup
Vegetable steamed 1 cup
Rajma ½ cup (steamed)
Onion 1 no
Garlic 4 no
Peanuts (crushed) 2 tsp
Tomato sauce: 2 tsp
Red chilli powder 1/2tsp
Soya sauce 1 tsp
Salt as per taste
Oil 1 tsp

Method:

Noodles Pasta: Take water and boil till bubbles start coming, then add little oil, now add the noodles.
When noodles are getting cooked add lemon grass and salt during boiling for flavor.
Add the cooked noodles with above ingredients to it. Sauté well.
Add crushed peanut and the vegetables, Sauté gently and serve hot.

Okra With Babycorn

Calories – 80Kcals Serves – 4 Nos

Ingredients:

Okra 200 gm
Baby com 100 gm
Tomatoes 2 no
Onion 1 no
Onion seeds ¼ tsp
Red chilli powder 1 no
Shredded garlic2 tsp
Fennel seeds ¼ tsp
Mustard seeds ¼ tsp
Coriander leaves 2 tsp
Lemon juice 1 stp
Oil 2 tsp

Method:

Add oil in a pan, sauté onion, onion seeds, fennel seeds and mustard seeds.
Add shredded garlic, green chillies, red chilly powder and tomatoes.
To this add baked bhindi and baby corn marinated with red chilli powder and tomatoes and saute for 5 minutes.
Add coriander leaves and lemon juice.

Click for detailed story

Diabetic Diet

Naturopathy

Mar 282017

Diabetes is on the rise, yet most cases are preventable and some can even be reversed if necessary steps are taken on time. A healthy diet is most crucial for a diabetic. A healthy diabetic diet is not complicated and can also be quite tasty and balanced, boosting energy and improving health. Losing about 5- 10% of the total weight as well as weight around the belly more than from thighs and hips will lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. The belly fat surrounding the abdominal organs and liver is closely linked to insulin resistance, where cells fail to respond to insulin and cause diabetes. There is an increased risk of developing diabetes if the waist circumference of woman’s is 35 and man’s 40 inches and more.

naturopathy diabetic treatment

A healthy and balanced diet is essential to lose weight and control diabetes. A special attention on the food choice – most notably the carbohydrates since they have a great impact on blood sugar levels – more than fats and proteins is required. Smart choice would be whole grain carbs instead of starchy carbs. Choose whole grain, because it is high in fiber which makes digestion slow and keeps blood sugar levels more even, preventing body from producing too much insulin.

Those on the left side of the table are of high glycemic index (GI) foods spiking the blood sugar rapidly, while whole grain food is low in GI having the least effect on blood sugar.

CHOOSE
Instead of…	Try these High-fiber options…
White rice	Brown/ wild rice, quinoa
Potatoes (fried and mashed)	Cauliflower mashed (baked)
Regular pasta	Whole-wheat pasta, mueslis
White bread	Whole grain bread/ porridges
Cornflakes	Bran flakes, oats
Corn	Raw sprouts
Soda	Green tea/herbal decoctions
Fruit juices	Smoothies
Sweeteners	Steviacheese
Cheese	Peanut butter

Healthy diet includes food from all the five food groups which are to be in balance i.e.

whole grains. for carbohydrates,
legumes and soya for protein,
vegetables for minerals and fibre
fruits for vitamins and anti-oxidants,
nuts & seeds for essential fats.

By this most of required body nutrients are fulfilled. Eating regularly at set times as far as possible with a consistent meal size (small meals-up to 6 per day) will help you keep portions in check.

Maintaining a food diary, helps record what is being eaten and the calories consumed in aday. Studies found that people who kept a food diary lost twice as much weight as those who didn’t. It helps identify problem areas – such as your afternoon snack or your morning coffee where you’re getting more calories than you realized.

It increases your awareness of what, why, and how much you’re eating, which helps you cut back on mindless snacking.

Exercise like walking, swimming, biking, etc that makes you slightly sweat and breathe harder, with dieting will help manage weight and improve insulin sensitivity.

If you are a little overweight, it is encouraging to know that you only have to lose 7% of your body weight to cut your risk of diabetes in half.

Restrict in your diet, trans-fats found in deep-fried chips, desserts, packaged and fast foods etc. Also restrict in particular soft and alcoholic drinks, sweeteners, soda, and instant coffee etc. Eliminate all meats & processed red meat in particular, from animals. In meat business, animals are generally fed with antibiotics, growth hormones and genetically modified food for their rapid growth, but these will definitely interfere with your sugar levels and insulin.

Studies have proved that vegans are about 60% less prone to developing diabetes mellitus as compared to meat eaters. Food is an important medicine for diabetics. Healthy diabetic eating includes using less salt & drink sufficient water which actually perform wonders.

A few anti-diabetic foods are vegetables like, bitter gourd, okra, beans, mushroom, onion, tomatoes, green leafy-vegetables like spinach, broccoli, kale, green-cabbage, amaranth, lettuce, tender’ guava leaves, mango leaves, aleo-vera, mint, coriander & curry leaves, grains like ragi, buck wheat, barley, rye, brown-rice,’ fruits like strawberry, blue berry” goose berry, avocado, oranges, grape-fruit, nuts and seeds like walnuts, almond, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, alfa-alfa, £lax and chiaseeds, herbs like fenugreek, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, ginseng, cumin, pepper, all are excellent nutritional sources to fight the disease.

Prevent diabetes, if not, at least stop its progress by all means.

Click for detailed story

Lifestyle Modifications Laughter – The Best Medicine

Naturopathy

Mar 232017

“Laugh and the world laughs with you, Weep and you weep alone”

— Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1855–1919).

The above thoughts expressed more than a century ago tell us the importance of laughter.

Man is born to be healthy. Health not only means absence of diseases, but also a natural feeling of well-being, a self-contained enjoyment of happiness and fulfilment with joyful behaviour comprising not only of the physical, mental and social well-being but also of the spiritual well-being.

Time old philosophy of four generic factors are the fundamental determinants of life – Aahaar (nutrition), Vehohar (Behavior), Vichar (Thinking), and Aachar (Conduct). Their norms, value and strength control the mind-body coordination exhibited as life. Humor and Laughter are the key to alter the behavior, thinking and conduct.

Increasing industrialization, urbanization, changing social and moral values have caused tremendous increase in stress and strain in day-to-day life, which in turn is a very big contributing factor for many of altered lifestyle related diseases such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes, stroke, obesity, cancers and some forms of mental illness. It is high time that each of us realizes the importance of “Lifestyle Modification” in prevention and management of many of these diseases.

Candace Pert writes ‘Emotions registered and stored in the body in the form of chemical messages are the best candidates for the key to the health connections between mind and body’. According to Pert, this job is accomplished by complex molecules called neuropeptides. These neuropeptides are the means by which all cells in the body communicate with one another. Building more humor and laughter in your life helps assure that these chemical messages are working for you and not against you. The mere fact that you feel better after a good iaugh is not enough for the scientific community of so called “Evidence Based Medicine”, but data have started accumulating to quench their scientific thirst.

Laughter and Immune System

In 1980 departing editor of world famous “New England Journal of Medicine”, Dr. Franz Ingel£inger wrote that 85% of all human illnesses are curable by body’s own healing system (Immune system). Immune system responds favorably to positive attitudes, thoughts, moods and emotions such as love, hope, intimacy, optimism, joy, humor and laughter, and negatively to negative attitudes such as pessimism, indifference, hate, hopelessness, anger, loneliness, anxiety and depression”. In short a positive attitude to life is key to happiness.

Several studies have shown that watching as little as 30 -60 minutes of a comedy video is enough to increase both salivary IgA (Immunoglobulin A) and blood levels of IgA, which are often referred to as the body’s first line of defense against upper respiratory viral and bacterial infections.

Immunoglobulin M and G also increase following laughter, so does the compliment- 3, a substance which helps antibodies to pierce through defective and infected cells to destroy them. Humour has been found to alter cellular immunity in a positive way.

Humour has also been shown to increase level of gamma interferon, a complex substance that plays an important role in the maturation of B-cells, growth of cytotoxic T-cells, and activation of NK cells.

All this evidence makes it clear that humorous individual have a stronger immune system.

Effects of Laughter on Pain

Appreciation of pain depends to a certain extenent on frame of mind and prevailing environment. It is well known that during war, severe gunshot injuries are tolerated with little pain. Recently this has been explained on the basis of “Gate theory of pain”. Similarly, humour also helps in reducing severity of pain. Max Eastman has rightly said that “Humour is the instinct for taking pain playfully”

Humour and Stress

That humour is the biggest stress reliever has been a well-know fact for centuries.

Limited research carried out on stress related hormones and humour has shown that laughter affects at least four neuroendocrine hormones associated with stress response. These are epinephrine, cortisol, dopa, and growth hormone. These hormones are related to bodies? “Fight or Flight” response.

Laughter and Cardio Respiratory System

Laughter provides a handy source of cardiac exercise. Heartbeat remains rapid for nearly 15 to 20 seconds after a good Belly laugh. From cardiac point of view this can be described as “Internal Jogging”. As laughing can be repeated many times, one can give the heart a good workout.

Laughter is not a substitute for good exercise for cardiac toning but for elderly persons and bed-ridden patients this can be considered as a good source of cardiac conditioning.

In one study it was found that persons who led humorous life had a lower resting heart rate. Laughter may also help in lowering blood pressure as an adjunct with other life style modification programs, but scientific studies are needed to substantiate this fact.

There are many studies that have linked Coronary Artery Disease to Type-A personality; studies have also shown relationship between hostility and heart diseases. Humor and laughter may be use in countering bad effects of hostility and type-A personality, but concrete scientific studies have not yet been made in this field.

Laughter and Breast-fed New Born

Laughter even affects breast-fed new-born infants. In a scientific study it was found that among the mothers who breast-fed their infants and actively used humour and laughed more frequently had fewer upper respiratory infections and their infants also had less infections as compared to those who did not do so. This could be attributed to higher levels of Immunoglobulin-A in the breast milk of these mothers.

Other Benefits of Laughter

Dr. Heiko Hayarshi of Japan University in a study found that those diabetic patients who watched a comedy show had smaller rises in their post meal glucose as compared to those who watched a humorless show, meaning there by that positive emotions like laughter help in decreasing blood sugar level.

Dr. Malcolm Harthers found that Laughter increased active Testosterone (male hormone) level especially in elderly people. If this is found true in large controlled studies, this may explain the secret of longevity in humorous persons and confirm a common layman’s observations that persons with a good sense of humor get sick less often.

Bhagwat Gita says ‘laughing drives away grief which is an important contributory factor for many mental ailments. This could be boon in present day scenario where mental illness is on a steep rise.

Humour is known to reduce frequency of cold and upper respiratory infections. This may probably be explained by a high salivary IgA levels in these persons.

After critically evaluating the above information, it makes sense to conclude that the individuals who have a better developed sense of humor, i.e. those who find more humor in their day-to-day life, remain happy contented, and have a stronger immune system and better health. This view has also been expressed by Bernia Siegel, M.D. who said, “The simple truth is that happy people generally do not get sick.”

Daily vitamin D supplements may reduce asthma attacks

Daily vitamin D supplements lowered the risk and severity of asthma attacks, according to a new review of nine clinical trials, which involved 435 children and 658 adults, most of whom had mild to moderate asthma.

Reviewers found that oral vitamin D supplements ranging from 400 to 4000 units a day reduced the risk of attacks requiring medication by 37%. The number of attacks requiring emergency intervention decreased by more than 60% among vitamin D users.

But taking vitamin D did not appear to have a meaningful effect on daily symptoms as measured by a long function test and questionnaires. The authors suggest that vitamin D triggers antiviral and anti inflammatory responses that might decrease the risk for lung infection.

“We don’t yet have the evidence to say that everyone should take it,” said lead author, Adrian R Martineau, a professor of respiratory infection at Queen Mary University of London.

Click for detailed story