All posts by : DPSPharma

The season which sees the most attacks of mosquitoes is here. And with it, comes the spell of malaria. Delhi is one of the most affected states by Malaria. There are many reasons which lead to this, but we will hold the discussion for some other time.

Many people are apprehensive about using chemical based products or things to stay away from mosquitoes. That’s perfectly okay but only when it is ensured that you are strictly following the natural ways. To help you with it, here is a list of 5 natural ways to prevent Malaria in your home and surroundings:

1. Mosquito Nets – The best way to keep your family safe from mosquitoes at night is to use mosquito nets over your beds. Not only does it ensure 100% protection but is also a chemical-free way to keep mosquitoes at bay.
2. Close your windows after sunset – Mosquitoes enter your home mostly after sunset. So, make sure your windows are closed then. You can also consider getting nets made to fit your windows.
3. Wear full clothes – Don’t yet jump into the summer clothes. Till the mosquito-based disease period is over, consider wearing light coloured full sleeves/legs clothes.
4. Keep your surroundings clean – Keep your surroundings clean. Ensure your home is mopped every day with excess water around you treated at the earliest.
5. Malaria repellent foods – Not exactly repellent, by some foods are known for their properties which helps your body cope with infections before it damages your immune system further. It includes lemonade, cinnamon powder, basil leaves, fenugreek seeds, garlic, grapefruit, etc. Include these foods in your diet.

But if you feel feverish and symptoms of malaria start showing up, do not depend on self-medication or natural ways. Consult your doctor at the earliest as it is difficult to know about mosquito-related diseases as the symptoms are similar. Only your doctor can judge well with help of medical reports.

With the COVID-19 outbreak, everyone’s focus is on increasing the body’s immunity and staying away from catching a cold or flu-like illness. Here, it becomes equally important to discuss how eating right and healthily can help to optimize our body’s ability to fight infections. 

Eating right for strong immunity

Two misconceptions associated with eating and building immunity that we generally hear of are: 

(a) Loading up on Vitamin C will increase immunity & keep us away from cold or flu and (b) Only drinking fresh fruit juices will boost immunity

Contrary to these beliefs, a whole lot of micronutrients, probiotics, and antioxidants are responsible for preparing the body to fight infections and external allergens effectively.

In this article, we will discuss:

1. List of key nutrients, vitamins, and minerals involved in the immune function

2. Cooking techniques to boost our immune system

List of key superfoods to be included in your daily diet

• Foods rich in PROBIOTICS (yogurt, buttermilk)
• Foods that are high in ANTIOXIDANTS (colorful fruits & veggies, garlic, turmeric, green tea, dark chocolate, beans)
• Foods rich in VITAMIN A and C (all citrus fruits, broccoli, red bell pepper, papaya, strawberry, carrot, tomato)
• Foods high in ZINC (found in green leafy vegetables)
• Foods high in COPPER (found in whole grains and must be infused in our drinking water by using copper containers)

Healthy cooking techniques to support a strong immune system

Any cooking technique that has the right amount of flavors and retains nutrients in the food is a healthy cooking technique. Most often, frying or over-heating any food will destroy most of its nutrients and add unnecessary fats and calories to it.

While there are a number of healthy cooking techniques, the ones that will help activate our immune system responses are:

1) Pressure cooking – the most common cooking method used in Indian households, pressure cooking is perfect for cooking rice, dals, curries, etc. This method does not require much oil and since the vegetables and rice cook in water, the nutrients are retained.

2) Stir-frying – it is not only a super-fast cooking method but also one of the most nutritionally packed. Cooking at very high heat for a short time in a small amount of oil is perfect for cooking vegetables, meat, poultry, or even tofu. Always be careful of the amount of salt and other seasonings that are being added while stir-frying. 

3) Steaming – also know as boiling, this technique is great for eating veggies the healthy way. Steaming requires less water, minimum or no oil and cooking time. Boiling veggies keeps the nutrients intact and one can add spices (especially salt and black pepper) for some flavour too.

4) Dry-roasting – this technique can be used for cooking paneer, gravies or chicken. Another healthy cooking technique that is easy and quick.

5) Broiling – one of the simplest of all cooking methods is broiling. Food is cooked under high, direct heat for a short period of time, with no additional oils involved.

Now that you are aware of the cooking techniques and the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that one needs to have a strong immune system, it is time to implement these and share this important information with friends and family.

Eat fresh, eat healthily!

There are many fad diets in the market that promise quick and easy weight loss. But do they really work? While most of these diets may not live up to the hype, some diets such as the ketogenic diet have proven effective in aiding weight loss. Moreover, the diet is also associated with several benefits for overall health. The article explores these benefits in detail below. 

How Does Keto Diet Work? 

The keto diet works by restricting the intake of carbohydrates (carbs), the primary source of energy for the body. An average keto diet involves reducing the carb intake to not more than 50 grams a day. Once your body runs out of carbs, it enters a metabolic state known as ketosis. This metabolic state allows the body to use fat for energy. During ketosis, your liver starts breaking down fat and releases ketones (the by-products of ketosis), which are used by the body for energy purposes. According to research, ketones also suppress appetite naturally, which may help support weight loss. 

Is The Keto Diet Similar To Atkins Diet?

The Keto diet is noted for its similarity to the Atkins diet, which is another popular low-carb diet. While both diets work pretty much the same way, there are two key differences between the two:

• The Atkins diet involves slowly increasing the consumption of carbohydrates. However, the intake of carbs continues to remain low throughout the keto diet. 
• The Keto diet limits the intake of protein to 20% of your daily calories. This is not the case in the Atkins diet.

What Are The Health Benefits Of The Keto Diet? 

Scientifically proven health benefits of the keto diet are:

1. Aids weight loss

The ketogenic diet may help support weight loss by boosting metabolism and suppressing appetite. A review study showed that the keto diet is slightly more effective than low-fat diets for long-term weight loss. It further found that people following a keto diet on an average lost approximately 1 kg more than those on a low-fat diet. 

2. Helps in diabetes management

A keto diet can help lower blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and support fat loss. All these factors can help improve health outcomes for people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. It has been found that a keto diet can help improve insulin sensitivity by 75% and reduce the levels of HbA1C. A study showed that people with diabetes lose an average of 12kg over a two year period while following a keto diet. 

3. Improves epilepsy management

Keto diets have been used to control seizures caused by epilepsy since the 1920s. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, ketosis can help reduce the incidence of seizures in people with epilepsy, especially in children. 

4. Prevents heart diseases 

A review of animal and human studies has also found a strong correlation between the keto diet and a decline in the total cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or ‘bad’ cholesterol, and triglycerides, all of which are factors involved in the development of heart disease. 

5. Lowers the risk of brain-related conditions 

There is some evidence that following a keto diet may help reduce the risk of brain-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s Disease. While the reason is not clear, it is believed that ketones may protect the brain cells from damage. 

Foods to Eat in a Keto Diet 

People following the keto diet can consume the following foods: 

• Meat
• Fatty fish 
• Whole eggs
• Butter and high-fat cream
• Unprocessed cheese
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Healthy oils such as extra virgin olive oil and canola oil
• Whole avocados
• Low carb veggies such as broccoli, tomatoes, onions, peppers, etc.

Side Effects of Keto Diet

Despite its several health benefits, the keto diet has its share of side effects. Following the diet for extended periods of time can increase the risk of some health problems including: 

• Kidney stones

• Accumulation of fat in the liver
• Deficiency of essential nutrients such as folate, biotin, iodine, and vitamins A, E, and D
• Hyperproteinemia (high levels of protein in the blood)

Many people following the keto diet also complain of “keto flu”, a condition characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, headache, irritability, bad breath, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhoea. Health experts say that pregnant women, insulin-dependent diabetics, people with eating disorders, and those with medical conditions such as kidney disease and pancreatitis should not follow the keto diet. 

The keto diet is a popular diet that focuses on the intake of healthy fats and proteins while curbing the consumption of carbohydrates. It works by putting the body in ketosis, a metabolic state that triggers the liver to break down fat for energy. The diet has been linked to several health benefits including weight loss, improved blood glucose levels, reduced risk of heart disease, etc. However, it can also lead to some side effects. Those who wish to follow the keto diet for health benefits should consult a dietician to evaluate the pros and cons.

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