Why Shorter Days Call for a Dose of Vitamin D

It is officially winter in our household because I have pulled out the vitamin D supplements. My daughter was too young last winter to remember that she added a vitamin to her morning routine, but my boys knew what it signaled. Instead of gobbling down the vitamins without query as they did last winter, my boys fired questions my way as to why they had to take them. I guess this is what teenagers do: They question their parents about everything, even the things they have taken for granted for…

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6 Excellent Sources of Vegetarian Protein for Your Daily Diet

I’m going to begin with a boring, but necessary, scientific survey that was published in the Indian Medical Gazette in April 2015. The study was conducted across seven Indian cities (Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Vijaywada) with 1,260 respondents, and took a look at protein consumption in our daily diet. The not-so-shocking conclusion was that almost 9 out of 10 consumers had a protein-deficient diet, regardless of gender or socio-economic status. Perhaps unsurprisingly, vegetarians had a higher protein deficit than non-vegetarians. Why Do We Need Protein? We all…

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8 Amazing Benefits of Dandelion Tea for Your Health

When you think of dandelion, you probably picture a pesky weed. But did you know that the plant has long been used in herbal medicine? You can drink an infusion made of the plant’s leaves or of roasted dandelion roots. Shalini Manglani, Nutritionist and Wellness Consultant, Bangalore, says, “The roots and leaves of dandelion are dried and used to make dandelion tea, and can benefit your health myriad ways.” Dr. Gargi Sharma, a Delhi-based Nutritionist, says, “Dandelion tea is rich in vitamin A, C and D. It contains high amounts…

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Sunbeds May Increase Risk of Deadly Skin Cancer

You may want to skip that sunbed after swimming, according to a new study. Sunbeds which are used in indoor tanning emit harmful UV radiation to produce a cosmetic tan. They are typically found in tanning salons, spas, gyms and sporting facilities. Using sunbeds may put people at a higher risk of melanoma – the most dangerous type of skin cancer. In the last decade, melanoma has the strongest increase in incidence and the incidence rates have in fact never been as high as in 2014. The World Health Organisation…

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Exercise and Healthy Diet May Reduce Effects of Malaria

Exercising regularly and leading a healthy lifestyle can reduce the damage to the heart and skeletal muscles brought on by malaria. According to a new study, a healthy diet including fresh fruits and vegetables, and a right amount of protein is very important. Malaria afflicts more than 500 million people each year in scores of countries all over the world, killing more than 400,000 according to the World Health Organisation. Marco Brotto, Professor at The University of Texas – Arlington said that moderate or high levels of malaria infection typically…

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6 Incredible Benefits of Asparagus, the Nutrient Powerhouse

A popular ingredient in gourmet dishes across the world, asparagus scores high for its delicate flavour and appealing form. When in season, it comes packed with health boosting goodness that adding it to your daily diet can help you in numerous ways. Asparagus or garden asparagus, scientifically called Asparagus officinalis, is a member of the Lily family. It is very labour intensive to grow, and perhaps is the reason why it comes with a high price tag. Garden asparagus was first cultivated in Greece about 2500 years ago and was…

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