Tuesday, August 21, 2018


What makes us happy or stressed? What keeps us hungry or full? It’s all about hormones which constantly communicate with the brain sending out signals of happiness or hunger or depression. Let us learn something about hormones.
Hormones are the chemical substances produced by the Endocrine glands present in our body. They play a major role in controlling our appetite, metabolism, mood swings etc.
We can normally sense a happy feeling after a good workout or a dance session. Isn’t it?
Well, this is the time when our ‘happy hormones’ such as EndorphinsSerotonin, and Dopamine comes into play. These are the neurotransmitters or the chemical messengers that are released in the Brain. Because of this, we get that pleasant feeling after a workout session. Oxytocin is a hormone and a neurotransmitter which is popularly known by the name ‘the love hormone’ plays a greater role in women’s physiology and happiness. This hormone is released on being with the loved ones, or with any family member whose company makes you happy. However, excess production of these hormones can cause certain side effects also. For example, antidepressant drugs contain serotonin re-uptake inhibitor which is used to treat anxiety, panic attacks, depression etc. but the dosages can cause diarrhea and nausea because high levels of serotonin in the gut reduces stomach acid production.
It’s always better to boost our happy hormones in a natural way – by exercising regularly and by being on a healthy diet stimulates the Serotonin levels. Listen to your favourite music/song raise the Dopamine levels. Women can normalize their Estrogen and Progesterone levels by physical activities such as Yoga, Pranayam, etc., and by introducing good quality fat in their diets. In contrast, the ‘stress hormone’ comes into picture when we get stressed out – Cortisol. High levels of which can interfere with our learning and memory, gains our weight, increase blood sugar levels etc. The feeling of fear and anxiety also elevates our Cortisol levels. Regular physical exercise and mindful eating helps reduce the levels of this hormone.
There are hormones which control our hunger, appetite, sugar levels etc. Let us learn something about them. Ghrelin is called as a ‘hunger hormone’ which is released at the time of fasting or crash dieting, the levels of which is decreased after having meals. Leptin which is produced by fat cells called as ‘satiety hormone’ that contorls our hunger pangs and cravings. Similarly, CCK (Cholecystokinin) is a hormone which plays a major role in sending signals to the brain about being full. PYY (Peptide YY) is another hormone that suppresses our appetite and which is released in an hour’s time after a meal. Insulin is a hormone made in pancreas which regulates blood sugar levels in our body. Increase in the food intake increases the blood glucose which calls out Insulin in the blood. Through this we can understand how on not chewing the food well, eating too quickly, or eating under stress can lead to over-eating thereby raising our sugar levels. The key is to enjoy eating, not eating under stress, and eat slowly focusing on the food that we eat. This is how we can balance our hormones beautifully.
By bringing Fitness into our daily routine, we can combat Stress. And when this happens, we eat mindfully. After all, the entire game is played by HORMONES :D

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Help yourself with Sunshine Vitamin


Are you getting enough Vitamin D through food?

Are you making enough Vitamin D3 in your body??

How do you get Vitamin D👇
In the presence of Sunlight, the Cholesterol in the skin gets converted to Vitamin D3. This is the most active form of Vitamin D, which is commonly found in Vitamin D supplements also.

Common symptoms of deficiency👇
Low Calcium levels
Osteoporosis - Bone porosity
Frequent Back pain & Muscle pain
Fatigue

There are quite a few Dietary sources👇
Mainly Dairy & Animal foods. Quite few😢

Tip : Sun exposure & keeping your Gut healthy are the best preventive methods

So to start with, get your Vitamin D test done

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Benefits of Eating Fruit #7 : RAW MANGO

1.       Has the cooling effect
2.       Benefits the skin
3.       Acts as probiotics
4.       Controls hypertension
5.       Strengthens the immune system
Relieves from acidity


Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Dietary Guidelines : AMARANTH

  •     Lowers cholesterol levels
  •       Controls blood pressure
  •       Maintains blood sugar levels
  •       Helps in reducing weight
  •       Prevents the growth of cancer cells
  •     Improves the digestive system


Sunday, January 28, 2018

Dietary Guidelines : GARLIC


– Increases immunity levels
– Improves metabolism
– Fights skin infections
– Regulate blood sugar
– Lowers blood pressure
– Reduces cholesterol levels
– Protects the heart
– Combats cold and cough

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Dietary Guidelines : CINNAMON


  • Reduces LDL cholesterol
  • Boosts metabolism and controls body weight
  • Lowers joint pains
  • Increases alertness and concentration
  • Stimulates digestion
  • Regulates blood sugar
  • Protects from heart disease

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Eat HEALTHY, Age GRACEFULLY


Aging is a natural phenomenon. Hence we can’t stop, it’s a part of life. However, we can slow the aging process. Though aging is a degenerative process, it shouldn’t become an excuse for our Metabolic rates to be lowered. We do not age just chronologically but even biologically, as our cells continue to damage. There is also a decrease in the Muscle Mass, whereas the Fat storing capacity takes a hike. The bone mass gets reduced. The skin loses its moisture. We do not have any control on the chronological process of aging. However, modifying one’s Lifestyle and Dietary Habits can contribute to delay the process biologically. Basically in addition to taking care of the skin externally, we need to alter our eating habits, manage our stress levels, and moderate physical activity boosts our metabolism.
The bottom line is : We shouldn’t be aging faster than we should.
This may happen because of over-stress levels or not eating the right type of food or not leading a healthy lifestyle. Food is the Best Medicine for anti-aging. Living an “Active Lifestyle” leads to “DELAY AGING”
After all, It is for us to decide “How do we wish to age!!! “ Isn’t it?
Before getting into the Dietary tips, let us learn the factors that can affect by the aging process.
Aging gives rise to the following changes in one’s body :
  • Decrease in the capacity to respond to external stress
  • Decrease in the capacity to function
  • Increase in the vulnerability to diseases
  • Slow repair of worn-out tissues
  • Lowers Metabolic rate
  • Increase in the free radical accumulation
The basic essential nutrients impact our health in the long run. Although the key is to follow a Balanced Nutrition, there are certain foods that provide anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which play a major role in maintaining our health.
The requirement for the following Nutrients increases as we age:
  • Protein – to maintain Muscle Mass
  • Vitamins C & D – to fight illnesses & to maintain the Bone Mass
  • Vitamin B12 – to build immunity
  • Fiber – to improve digestion
  • Healthy Fats – to maintain suppleness of the skin
Consumption of the following foods provides the important Vitamins & Minerals:
  • Nuts and Seeds
  • Beans
  • Green Leafy Vegetables
  • Berries like Strawberries, Blueberries etc.
  • Whole Grains
  • Herbs like Turmeric, Cinnamon etc.
Also, eating good Carbohydrates supports our health and slows down the aging process.
Consumption of Refined Carbohydrates leads to the following effects :
  • Promotes Obesity
  • Affects blood Lipids, blood pressure, and heart risk factors
  • Affects Insulin sensitivity and Diabetes risk
  • Impairs immunity
  • Increase inflammation
  • Increase non-alcoholic Fatty liver
Refined Sugar / flour absorbs very rapidly in the blood stream causing all the above health issues
Preventing dead foods like refined/processed foods, stale foods, high sodium, and high-sugary foods will prevent the dreadful illnesses. Focus on live-foods to keep alive and fresh.
A Happy, Stress-free & Active Lifestyle, eating Balanced, exercising regularly strengthens the Immune systems and keeps oneself out of getting sick frequently.
“Lifestyle is not a one-time affair, it’s a Life-long process”. Keeping our life active also keeps our youthful spirits alive. It is not just to survive, but to have a good quality of life.
LOOK YOUNGER! FEEL YOUNGER!