Are You Eating Healthy? Coz, What you Eat, You Become!

We all live in an era where newer diseases are making our life miserable. Still there are a bunch of people who live healthier life despite all odds thrown upon them! What’s the secret? Well, no prize for guessing the answer as “healthy lifestyle”! These two words have captured the attention of all health-conscious people recently. And a recent survey has a positive thing to say that number of such health-oriented people is increasing. J At least some positive vibe out there!

While searching for tips about healthy living, the topmost point comes as “healthy eating”. And when it comes to healthy eating, there are many misconceptions. Rather, many times it makes difficult for us to choose what exactly the right food to eat is.

So, let’s see the top 5 points one should remember while eating “Healthy” food!

1. GO LOCAL- Eating habits vary from place to place. Recently one of my vegan friends went to China and was left with very few choices to fill his tummy. Well, the cause might lie in his lack of knowledge about the availability of good vegan food there but in general we all experience this when we move to places. People who are omni-eaters (eating all types of cuisines) usually have no problems with having what they want in any place. Also certain places are suited for certain type of food for better digestion and absorption. You can have the example of our Southern India where people loathe the thought of paranthas and indulge in rice related items, because that’s what is digestible there. So, especially when it comes to day to day food, don’t think of some extravagant mall food but go for locally grown greens and fruits. They will give you better stability and energy. But it is imperative to know what grows locally! Go for wider options and you will multitude your chances of “Complete Meal”.

2. VARIETY- As said earlier, your meal should include variety of food stuffs having different proportions of all proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals. If you want to skip taking daily dose of a multivitamin and multi-mineral tablet, go for variety of food. Of course, naturally eaten food vitals will help you bettering your health than gulping the tablet. Try searching for different options for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner, so that you don’t get bored of the same stuff every time!

3. PREPARE YOUR FOOD- This is one point you should focus on, especially if you want to have a wholesome eating plan. Even if you are on a particular diet plan, it is always better to stick to what you prepare at home than some canned food from outside. Don’t fall prey to faulty notions that costly packed food item with list of ingredients always gives you good nutritious diet. Many such foods might have hidden artificial ingredients and preservatives. In case you have to have outside food, see the labels clearly and go for standard and natural food items only. Especially set yourself free from the so-called low-fat diets that are mostly deceiving. Never get laid in the trap- “Too Posh to Prepare”! It’s not worth it!

4. DON’T AVOID ANY FOOD INGREDIENT COMPLETELY- This is a vital point in today’s genre of low-fat fads. It is imperative to know that many times, high-carbohydrate or starch diet causes more sugar imbalances in the body than high-fat diets. Now here is a pointer- “If you want healthy skin, hair, and abdominal health, you have to have some amount of fat in your diet.” Definitely go for healthier fat options and avoid trans-fats as far as possible. It is a myth that Only-Protein or Only-Carbohydrate diets work. They don’t! Or if they do, they bring you many side effects along with in your weight loss plan. Only-protein diets are not good for your kidneys and only-carbohydrates might lead to sugar imbalances, even if the carbohydrate is from complex sugars! Therefore, the easier option is “Eat Everything in Moderation!”. Imbibe this mantra especially in your children so that they will stay away from obesity in future and would be able to avoid serious X-Syndromes!

5. EAT AT THE RIGHT TIME- This is one crucial point many of us miss while taking care of our diets and eventually health. Especially in Indian settings, I have seen people, especially women not eating anything at all till the early noon. This makes things worse for them. They eat their night meals at around 9 or 10 and have the next meal (or breakfast) at around 11 or 11.30 am the next day. Such a huge gap in your meals! Obviously if you follow such regime, you are responsible for your hyperacidity. Where should the acid go that is produced for proper digestion of the food in the body? If you don’t eat in time, this acid bothers you with heartburn, belching, indigestion, abdominal cramps, and at times vomiting. Also, having your first meal (breakfast) early in the morning helps you sail through the day more confidently and energetically. Also time eating certain food aptly. For example, it is a wasteful practice to have fruits after lunch or dinner. Have them when you have appetite or when you get up in the morning. This makes the fruit better absorbed, better assimilated, and your body gets better supply of vitamins and minerals from it. Also it avoids layering of calories and thus your weight is kept in check!

Thus, the above 5 points are the beginning pointers towards healthier eating. And healthy eating is the pioneer of healthy lifestyle! Think about it! 

Is the Indulgence in Cosmetics a major risk factor for Growing Incidence of Thyroid Disease?

Today’s corporate world demands everyone to be on their toes as far as their looks is concerned. Almost every woman that steps out of the house for work today seems to have draped herself well while being cosmetically posh. Hoards of new cosmetics daily hit markets and women keep on buying and using them without realizing if they affect them health-wise. That does not mean top-brands are safe, certainly not when the incidence of thyroid disease is alarmingly rising in urban women. No doubt there are many other risk factors as well but the chemicals in the cosmetics need to be checked before one buys and uses them for sure.

PFCs-

Perfluorooctane sulphonate, PFHxS, PFOA, PFCs etc are termed the PFC compounds that are very persistent chemicals. It means that they take long time to break down in the environment. They are associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in women. Though long term effects of PFCs are yet to be ascertained, some studies have shown them to be linked with developmental problems in children, cancer & decreased fertility in animals, etc.

Of course there are many other risk factors for the thyroid disease. Various medical treatments, including Interferon Beta-1b, Interleukin-4, immunosuppressants, antiretrovirals, monoclonal antibody (Campath-1H), bone marrow transplant, Lithium, amiodarone (Cordarone), and other medications may result in thyroid problems. Not only medicines but smoking, highly stressed life, overconsumption of soy products, unnecessary radiation exposure, etc are some other risk factors of thyroid disease.

It is true that homeopathic treatment offers sigh of relief for thyroid patients, whether they are hypothyroid or hyperthyroid. Obviously the symptomatic approach works the best as always in every individual. However, along with the homeopathic treatment, one must stay away from the risk factors that might form the maintaining factors for the disease.

I am sure after knowing the risk factors of the cosmetics, women and girls will be more vigilant about the use of varied products they use on day to day basis. You certainly do not want to look good at the cost of your thyroid!

How to Cultivate Optimism?

If you ask me, I would say optimism is a habit and it is hard-earned habit that the earner would hardly like to lose. It is hard-earned for a reason. Most of us go through the life without actually knowing what we want out of it. If we know what we want, not necessarily life gives us the things that we need. There comes a point when we do not realize what to do and how to cope up with the challenges life throws at us at every juncture. In this negativism actually lies the seed of optimism.

You will see that people who have been born with golden spoon in their mouth rarely speak of optimism and keep complaining about life; or they don’t come across a time when they think whether to be optimistic or pessimistic. On the other hand, common people like us that come across many hurdles, at some point of time, stand above all odds and tell the odds- “Do what you want; I will stand tall!” This is a very crucial juncture. This ‘standing tall’ attitude many times proves fragile; attributable to our weakness of mind, body and emotions. If you hold on to some indestructible governing body at this juncture (I call this God), you go undeterred in this beautiful path of success and happiness.  

Ancient Indian knowledge states that when you do all your deeds in the name of almighty, you escape from the positive as well as negative burdens of its results. Unknowingly, this trick saves you from the burden of the stress your work / act brings you. Even if we leave this age-old wisdom unnoticed, we can say that not being bothered by the results lets us free.  

Thus, through your journey of life, if you keep reminding yourself about the positive facets of life every day and night, you save yourself from the stress- the culprit of a peaceful life.

Top 3 Means to Cultivate Optimism--

1.   Out of all possible means to cultivate optimism, “Living in the moment” is of highest importance. It not only sheds stress of the work but also enables you to work more constructively and efficiently. Whether it is your laborious work or an evening with friends, give your 100% there. But once it is over, do not think about it the whole day and brood on the pros and cons of that time. It is over and will not come back anyway. Why not focus on what you are up to at present? Many people will say, this is easier said than done and it’s not untrue. But the rewards such an attitude gets you are unbeatable. You feel calmer, focused and relaxed in your approach.

2.   Give at least some time of your “every day” to something that you love to do. It may be half an hour or mere 15-20 minutes. But during that time, do not be bogged down by any professional commitments or personal problems. Just keep yourself focused onto the hobby in hand and reap the relaxation it brings you. It can be reading a favorite genre of book, talking to a buddy, observing the nature surrounding your home, catering to the young plants in your backyard or mere playing with your son! Remember that this is the most awaited time of your day; so cherish every moment! Imbibe in your mind and psyche that the time spent now is going to nullify the entire negativism of the day and be sure that it will do so.

3.   Prioritize well. Most rubbish things on professional as well as personal front happen due to lack of the skill to prioritize. Good news is that we all can acquire this skill. Procrastination or the habit of postponing takes us nowhere. Discipline actually lessens the stress. You can actually rule over the laziness by getting your body to move! More you are physically active, lesser are your chances of pessimism. Thus physical exercise coupled with prioritizing frees you of the stress and also gets you where you always want to be- to the land of peace, satisfaction and success!

Try it and let me know your comments at contact@drshreya.com! I would love to learn more from you! 

There are No Favorite Remedies in Homeopathy!

Recently I came across a student who told me that one of his friends gives Natrum mur to all the patients with headache and some of them actually feel better. So, are there such ‘favorite’ remedies for every doctor that he or she uses frequently? In the first place I thought about our Master – Dr Samuel Hahnemann who fiercely propounded the Theory of Individualization in homeopathy.

When we study homeopathic therapeutics, we study a group of remedies suitable in certain conditions. For example- If we study headache, here is the article that gives us top remedies used for headache. However, that NEVER means that these are the only remedies used. However, these are the remedies that have marked symptoms of headache that need to be differentiated and matched to the symptoms of the patient. One might need an altogether different remedy for his headache, especially if he is a chronic sufferer and his totality of symptoms must be studied in depth. So, a question like “Can Glonoine help me?” cannot be answered till a homeopath studies his entire constitution and totality of symptoms.

Frankly speaking, it would be quackery if a homeopath starts prescribing on single symptom. The prescription thus formed wouldn’t be “homeopathic” at all. Such practices must be curtailed, if you believe in classical homeopathy.

We must not therefore fall to the tricks of so-called favoritisms when it comes to homeopathy. Study wisely, judiciously and without any prejudice. Never think of your past case if you don’t want to fall to favoritism. Past successful case was successful because you studied individually and the remedy matched the disease symptoms of the patient; not because that remedy was the remedy for hat problem. It is actually one of the basic rules of homeopathy many fail to understand and get bowled over by the remedies that succeeded them in particular cases. Then those remedies are used in every case without realizing the futility to do so. (Recently came across a messed up case of autism that was given Carcinocin because the doctor thought this remedy treats all autistic cases).

It is imperative to understand that we must be responsible enough to understand the after effects of the ‘wrong’ selection of remedies. Especially in chronic and critical cases, individualistic attitude on part of the homeopath saves the patient from all future complications during homeopathic regime. As it is rightly said by Kent, a case messed up homeopathically is the hardest to treat!

Importance of an Expert Guidance in Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathy as we all know is more of an art to treat diseases. The well-grounded natural principle governs homeopathy and this law is applied to each and every case before prescribing homeopathic medicine. Many homeopathic medicines are used by lay people too, after reading certain text books and material medicas available. Well, it’s not bad to learn any science and apply it in your day to day practice; no doubt about it! I feel extremely proud to see certain people applying this art wonderfully in some cases even without learning it in colleges or institutes. But these are the ‘few’ people devoted to this science stream and they have spent years learning homeopathy.

There are certain reasons why everyone should not attempt to prescribe or take homeopathic medicines without expert supervision, unless they master the art. Let’s see the important reasons —

(1) Homeopathic medicines are very deep acting. Therefore, unless the similarity of symptoms is exactly matched, one cannot get desired results. Moreover, in chronic cases, a single wrong prescription at times can lead the entire case in wrong direction, making it difficult to harmonize the case presentation later.

(2) It is certainly not child’s play to match the disease symptoms to the symptoms of the medicine through the vast material medicas and repertory. Obtaining the apt remedy is utmost important for eliciting desired results and recovery in patient. In acute cases, it is comparatively easier but in chronic cases, when only an expert case-taking can reveal the exact constitution of the patient, it is further difficult for a person who is not well-versed with this art.

(3) Homeopathy is a science of individualization. No two cases are same, just like the various personalities around us. And individualization is an art to be learnt after professional expertise exposes you to hundreds of patients. It is aptly said that for a homeopath too, a lifetime is less to study his science!

(4) Even the same case with same cold may require different medicine the next time he or she catches cold. We often see in our practice that ignorantly and unknowingly, if a patient takes his medicine (given last time when he had caught cold) when he gets cold (because the earlier was remaining as he felt better soon), he may not feel better. This is because the symptom complex earlier was different than that during this time.

(5) We always have to warn the patient not to give his medicine to any other person in his household, even if the person suffers from apparently similar illness. In most cases, such self-prescriptions fail, unless the patient has good command over homeopathy.

(6) In homeopathic academic courses (especially bachelor and post-graduate courses), one learns homeopathy along with Human Anatomy, Physiology, General Medicine, Surgery, Preventive and Social Medicine, Homeopathic Pharmacy, etc. This clinical knowledge is of utmost importance for any homeopath to correlate all his findings clinically in every patient. Obviously this knowledge is lacking in people who use homeopathy just because they love the science and have got some cures to their credit.

Thus, with all due respect to the lovers of homeopathy, it is stressed that he or she should get acquainted with this wonderful science in all its depth and only then should utilize these medicinal gems in day to day practice. Because it is aptly said, a homeopathic failure is really a bad failure! One must exercise great caution!