Ayurvedic remedy of jaggery and lemon water can help lose weight

A good physique and a well-toned body are achieved by following a strict diet and an intense exercise routine. Your diet does not only comprise of three meals a day but your snacking habit, eating schedule and how well you keep yourself hydrated also play a major role when it is about shedding some kilos. The small tweaks you do in your diet can help a lot in improving your metabolism and burn belly fat. Jaggery and lemon juice water is one such magical Ayurvedic concoction that you must consume daily if you aim to come in shape and burn belly fat.

Benefits of lemon

Loaded with the benefits of Vitamin C, lemon juice keeps you hydrated, increases your metabolism and satiety. Research suggests that polyphenol antioxidants that are commonly found in lemons can help to manage weight efficiently.

Polyphenols suppress the accumulation of fat in the body by increasing fat metabolism, HDL cholesterol and decreasing LDL cholesterol a the same time. Moreover, the antioxidant content in the lemon helps to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Benefits of jaggery
Jaggery is a healthy replacement of sugar. It is low in calories and is packed with antioxidants, zinc and selenium, which helps to boost immunity and fight cell-damaging foreign free radicals. It also helps the body by flushing out harmful toxins, which improve your metabolism and aid burning more calories. Eating a small piece of jaggery right after having your meal helps in proper digestion of food. Apart from this, jaggery is also good for cleaning your respiratory and digestive system.

Magical Ayurvedic concoction
Both lemon and jaggery are known for their nutrient content and is consumed individually when trying to lose weight. But having these two super-foods together can be even more beneficial. Follow these steps to prepare the mixture that can help you cut down belly fat easily.
Directions: Take a glass of warm water and add a teaspoon of lemon juice and a small piece of jaggery in it. Now mix the concoction until the piece of jaggery completely dissolves in the water. Your weight loss drink is ready. 

The bottom line
Have this mixture daily in the morning on an empty stomach. You can also add some fresh mint leaves in it for a refreshing flavour. Be mindful about the quantity of jaggery you are adding in your water. It should not make your water taste too sweet.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Myths About Boosting Your Immune System To Take Note Of

The world is currently grappling with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. All of us are trying to stay safe and are finding ways to protect ourselves from this deadly virus. Focusing on improving our immune system is being touted as one of the best ways to safeguard our body against the attack of the novel coronavirus at present. This has expectedly led to a sudden surge in people trying out different ways to boost their immunity.

While being healthy and developing good immunity will certainly be helpful in these circumstances, there is a lot of misinformation surrounding the immune system that needs to be countered. Here, we separate fact from fiction and bring out some of the most prominent myths about the immune system you shouldn’t fall prey to.

Myth 1. Eating garlic will help protect you from a viral infection

Garlic is good for your health, undoubtedly. It is highly nutritious and is known to improve cholesterol levels. However, there is a long-standing myth associated with this food as well - that eating garlic will prevent viral infection in our bodies. That is untrue, though.

"There are a few lab studies that show that garlic extract can partially inhibit the replication of the virus in cells," says Gary Linkov, MD. That being said, there is hardly any comprehensive proof to suggest that garlic will prevent viral infections, and certainly not something as potent as the novel coronavirus. Until we get more evidence from studies, we must not depend on garlic to save us from any viral infection. In fact, the World Health Organization has clearly stated on its website that "there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus."

Myth 2. The immune system is centralized in your upper body
Getting a cough, runny nose, or headache are some of the first symptoms we associate with coming down with the flu. It is because of this notion that we have generally assumed that our immune system is primarily centralized in our upper body. The truth, however, is that a lot of our bodily organs and mechanisms are involved in making the immune system - from the bone marrow to our bowels. In fact, there are multiple systems that are integral to the immune system. That is the reason the gut and microbiome are important, along with the lymphatic system to properly develop a robust immune system.
 
Myth 3. Eating sugar won’t affect your immune system
Eating or drinking too much sugar inhibits the immune system cells that attack bacteria. The effect of a sugary drink, in fact, lasts for a couple of hours. For instance, a 12-ounce (354.8 ml) soda will suppress your immunity by 30 percent for at least 3 hours. The suppression of the immune system starts about 30 minutes after you have consumed sugar and can last up to 5 hours.

“What we do know is that diabetes appears to be common in people confirmed to have COVID-19,” notes Nate Favini, medical lead at Forward. “This suggests that having higher levels of sugars in your blood could make it easier to contract COVID-19.” Thus, if sugar is a big part of your diet, it can be weakening your immune system right now. In these times, especially, when most of us are quarantined at home, it is easy to eat that extra candy or cake as a night-time snack. The wise thing to do would be to limit your sugar intake as much as possible right now.

Myth 4. Supplements will help keep your immune system safe

Supplements have become quite popular these days. Many people depend on a variety of supplements to help them ward off colds and the flu. There are certain supplements like elderberry, astragalus, and Echinacea that are believed to boost your immune system. But a lot of experts do not agree.

"Unfortunately, the reality is that those kinds of products aren't really offering you any benefit," says Michael Starnbach, a professor of microbiology at Harvard Medical School. "There's no evidence that they help in fighting disease." Likewise, no evidence suggests that Vitamin C supplements can help prevent COVID-19, say some noted health experts.

Supplemented vitamins are usually quite an overkill according to experts. This is because our bodies are unable to absorb more than a few hundred micrograms per day. Thus, it is vital to understand that there is no one pill that can boost your immune system. The best thing to do is to talk to your physician and see what they recommend according to your needs.

Myth 5. Lack of sleep won’t affect your immune system
There are many of us who don’t sleep well. Lack of sleep, though, has been linked to several mental and physical health problems. This includes issues arising from an impaired immune system. Our immune system is made up of several types of cells and proteins that help in keeping colds or the flu at bay. Not many would know this, but sleep affects almost every type of tissue and system in the body. Thus, when we don’t get proper sleep, our immunity is adversely affected.

“A lot of studies show our T-cells go down if we are sleep deprived,” says Diwakar Balachandran, MD, director of the Sleep Center at the University of Texas. “And inflammatory cytokines go up. This could potentially lead to a greater risk of developing a cold or flu.”

In simpler words, lack of sleep suppresses the functioning of the immune system. It also decreases your body's production of cytokines (a large group of proteins that mediate and regulate immunity) which can make you more susceptible to illness.
 
Myth 6. Over-exercising can boost your immune system

Exercise is good for our body, of course. But will over-exercising help in building our immunity? Experts say that working out vigorously, especially if you are not feeling well, can actually increase your risk of infection by 3-6 times. On the other hand, moderate activity like walking for 20-40 minutes will help you reduce the risk of upper respiratory infections by as much as 50 percent. Thus, if you are not feeling in the best of health, don’t overexert yourself. Rather, try a lighter workout to be on the safer side.

Myth 7. Antibacterial foods can help your immune system

When we fall sick, there are plenty of natural antibacterial food items that are recommended to us. Honey, turmeric, coconut oil, and chicken soup, along with a few others, are some of the common food items that we tend to try when we are down with fever. We have been made to believe that these foods can help your immune system combat infections. While it is true that some food items that are rich in Vitamin C can help your overall health, it would be unwise to depend on any food blindly for enhancing your body's immunity.

"Research is still ongoing on the topic, but there is no evidence of the actual immune-boosting effect from these (antibacterial) foods," says Dimitar Marinov, MD.

So while there is no harm in having your antibacterial foods regularly, don’t expect them to work wonders on your immunity.

Myth 8. Stress doesn’t have any effect on your immunity system

Stress has become a normal part of our day-to-day life. So much so, that we often don’t stop and think how much harm it can cause our body, including our immune system. Ongoing stress can make you susceptible to illness and disease. This is because the brain sends defense signals to the endocrine system, which goes on to releases a series of hormones that gravely suppress our immunity.

Many experts have observed that stress is responsible for almost 90 percent of all illnesses and diseases. Excessive stress triggers chemical reactions in our body and floods it with cortisol that is known to be the chief reason behind anxiety, high blood pressure, stroke and the fight-or-flight response (also called hyperarousal, or the acute stress response). Stress also decreases the body's white blood cells and thus puts us at more risks for viruses.
 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Wonderful Benefits of Flax Seeds

Flaxseed is the seed derived from the plant Linum usitatissimum, and has been praised for its extraordinary health benefits. Flaxseeds are loaded with Omega-3 essential fatty acids, are extremely high in fiber, and contain Lignans, which help ease menopausal symptoms. The powerful little seeds also help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.

There are two different types of flaxseeds, which are the brown and yellow versions. Flaxseeds can be added to yogurts, cereals, and even sprinkled on salads. Flaxseed oil is a substitute for the traditional seed variant, which can be used as a cooking alternative to regular oil. It can help treat osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and promote low blood pressure.

Precautions:

    Pregnant women and possibly breastfeeding mothers should avoid taking ground flaxseed or flaxseed supplements.
    Consult with your physician if you are taking blood-thinners, as the flaxseed can increase the risk of bleeding.
    People suffering from prostate cancer, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, and hormone-sensitive conditions, should consume the flaxseeds with caution, and consult with their doctors.
    People taking diabetes medications, to stabilize the blood sugar levels should monitor their blood sugar levels regularly.
    Drink plenty of water with the flaxseeds to prevent gastrointestinal side effects.
    Avoid large amounts of flaxseeds, as it may cause intestinal obstruction.

You'll certainly want to add flaxseeds to your dietary intake, after reading about the top 10 incredible health benefits below! 

1) Promotes Weight Loss
The omega-3 essential fatty acids help keep your metabolism in check and give you energy throughout the day. The magical seeds are high in B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and zinc, all essential components for weight loss. Flaxseeds are also gluten-free and can be mixed together with low fat or Greek yogurts, for a perfect and healthy snack during the day. 

2) Lowers Bad Cholesterol Levels
Flaxseeds can help keep the LDL cholesterol (the bad guys) down while promoting HDL cholesterol levels (the good guys) in the system. The LDL cholesterol helps keep your blood pressure regulated, and prevents heart disease. You can eat 2-4 teaspoons per day or 1-2 capsules of flaxseed oil. Consult with your physician before taking the supplement version.  

3) Helps Fight Cancer
The lignans contained in flaxseeds can help reduce the risks for breast cancer, due to their anti-estrogen components. The lignans assist in blocking enzymes that are involved in the production of hormone metabolism, which causes the growth and spread of tumor cells. Flaxseeds also prevent prostate, ovarian and colon cancer. The omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in fighting off the cancer cells.

4) Protects Against Heart Disease
The ALA omega-3 fatty acids of the flaxseeds are known for reducing the build-up of fats in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. They also help reduce inflammation, while preventing arterial clots, that cause strokes and heart attacks. Keep your heart healthy with a daily dosage of flaxseeds to your diet! 

5) Promotes Healthy Skin
The high anti-inflammatory properties of flaxseeds, help to keep your skin fully hydrated and moisturized. The essential omega-3 fatty acids also reduce some chronic skin conditions, such as rosacea, acne, eczema, skin allergies, sunburn, and even protect against skin cancer. You can try rubbing a little flaxseed oil gently on your skin on a daily basis to ensure smooth clean skin. 

6) Helps Treat Menopausal Symptoms
Flaxseeds are high in lignans, which contain estrogen-like qualities that can reduce menopausal symptoms in women. The lignans act like conventional hormone replacement therapy, which combat hot flashes, mood swings, and prevent ovarian cancer. The suggested dosage of flaxseeds is a single tablespoon, two or three times per day. Please consult with your doctor beforehand. 

7) Keeps Blood Sugar Stabilized
Flaxseeds are widely used to promote healthy blood sugar levels in people who suffer from Type II diabetes. The alpha-linolenic acid and fiber of the tiny seeds, help prevent high blood sugar levels in the body. They also improve insulin sensitivity in glucose intolerant people. 

8) Promotes Healthy Hair
The vitamin E contained in flaxseeds helps provide adequate nourishment to your hair follicles and roots. The omega-3 fatty acids replenish brittle hair, prevent scales, and also alopecia (hair loss). The essential fatty acids of the seeds aid in the promotion of strong healthy hair. 

9) Improves Digestion
The high soluble fiber content contained in flaxseeds helps to promote healthy digestion and prevents colon cancer. Consumption of ground flaxseeds allows for the smooth passage of food through the intestines as well. Make sure you drink plenty of water to aid in the digestion process, and stay fully hydrated all day. 

10) Detoxifies the Body
Flaxseeds are rich in fiber, which flushes out harmful toxins from the body, cleanses the colon, and helps promote a healthy immune system. The detoxifying process is essential for combating chronic fatigue and inflammation symptoms. Add a tablespoon of flaxseeds to your morning bowl of oatmeal, and reap the detoxifying benefits!

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement