Message on dangers of smoking not getting through: Cardiologist

The message about the dangers of smoking and its correlation with heart attacks is not getting through to the public strongly enough, a leading cardiologist has warned and added that younger smokers are at the greatest risk. While the government can resort to punitive methods or declare substances as illicit, the best strategy is to improve our health education, recommends Dr (Col) Anil Dhall, Director of Cardiovascular Sciences at Venkateshwar Hospital here. Awareness of the risks of smoking is undoubtedly an important public health message, because it potentially allows targeted…

Chikungunya cases in Mumbai touch 5-year high

It’s Just Tip of Iceberg, Say Doctors. The incidence of chikungunyain Mumbai has touched a five-year high this year with 60 confirmed cases being reported so far. The disease situation though is remarkably better than Pune that has reported nearly 2,500 cases. The first few cases of the `breakbone fever’ were reported in October followed by a steady stream of patients through November and December. From not reporting a single case last year, the positive cases jumped to 60 in just a span of three months this year. In 2012,…

Using the internet to self medicate could damage your health

When Purva Mehta started depending on painkillers to ease her chronic backache regularly, she didn’t realise that it could lead to long-term kidney damage. Similarly, when Rakesh Chhabria decided to treat his daughter’s viral fever using over-the-counter medication suggested by a random health website, he was unaware that it could cause further complications for his child. Purva and Rakesh are not alone. A recent study estimated that an increasing number of people (in India and around the globe) have no qualms about self-diagnosing and depending on the internet to answer…

Here’s why you shouldn’t say no to ghee

Don’t say no when you mother adds a tiny spoon of ghee to your favourite food. It is a myth that you will put on weight if you add some ghee to your everyday diet. In fact, the greasy and yummy ingredient has several health benefits. Read on… – According to several nutritionists, ghee helps in digestion. It secretes stomach acids that help in digestion and doesn’t make you lethargic like other fatty oils do. – Do you have a vitamin deficiency? If yes, you should be adding ghee to…

The Ayurvedic Diet to Improve Your Health and Well Being

“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.”The words of the 18th century French epicure Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin hold true even today in more ways than we can imagine. From our psychology to history, from how we perceive ourselves to our class, caste and preferred identities, food has a great capacity to unravel all of these. Take a look at a man’s plate and you know exactly who he is and who he hopes to be. Amidst all this, of course, also lies the physicality…

10 Health Benefits of Cod Liver Oil

As the name suggests, cod liver oil is a nutrient-dense oil. which is made from the oil found in the liver of cod fish. Dr. Ritika Samaddar, HoD – Dietetics and Nutrition, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, says, “Cod liver oil is commonly taken as a dietary supplement. It is one of the best sources of anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) and contains relatively high amounts of vitamin A and vitamin D.” According to the USDA, each teaspoon of cod liver oil has about 41 calories and 4.5…