HEALTH AND WEIGHT LOSS TIPS

While winter comes with its cosy mornings and shorter days, treating seasonal flu is another big part of winter agendas in most households! Seasonal flu is a rather common but extremely tiresome illness which happens at the onset of winter. A temperature dip of even a few degrees at night, and you may have a severely sick child in the morning, with a bad cough and runny nose. Let us know all about seasonal flu in kids. How is seasonal flu different from a common cold? Both have stuffy noses and coughs, but seasonal flu and common cold are actually quite different. Dr Neeraj Gupta , Allergist, Pediatric Intensivist and Sleep Specialist explains that the cause of the two varies. “Flu is caused by Influenza virus whereas common cold may be due to other viral infections like RSV, Rhino-, Entero- or Adeno- viruses.” Also, colds might not be so severe and kids may just showcase symptoms such as cough, sore throat, sneezing or a stuffy nose. A cold can happen anytime, anywhere! “On the oth...

Aries Health Horoscope Today Good health is essential for overall happiness. So, take care of your physical and mental well-being by focusing on fitness and self-care. Eating a well-balanced meal, avoiding junk food, drinking lots of water and keeping your body hydrated is essential for your health. Additionally, engage in stress-busting activities such as meditation, yoga or light exercises. Take rest and try to reduce workload by delegating responsibilities or prioritising work to maintain a healthy balance. Love tip: Surprise your partner with something thoughtful, be spontaneous and shower them with affection. This will help to bring the spice back in your love life. Activity tip: Go for trekking. Lucky colour for love: Cyan. Lucky colour for work: Red. Health tip: Workout, go for a jog. Taurus Health Horoscope Today Your physical and emotional health may be at the forefront of your mind today, Taurus. It’s a great time to focus on self-care and make healthy choices. Whethe...

Skin dryness has been troubling me for a while now. If I am not trying out different moisturisers from stores, you will see me using home remedies like coconut oil to combat dryness. My mom suggested me to use fish oil as it has many benefits for skin. A 2018 study published in the US National Library of Medicine also showed that fish oil, which includes omega-3, can help to support skin health. Read on to find out what an expert has to say about using fish oil for skin. What is fish oil? Fish oil, which has a strong taste, is a dietary supplement derived from the tissues of fatty fish, such as mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon, shellfish, oysters, crabs and trout. Dr Sandeep Babbar , Medical Director and Dermatologist at Revyve Skin, Hair and Nail Clinic, Faridabad, says it contains a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids. These omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential because our body cannot generate them on its own and ...

In today’s fast-paced and hectic lives, maintaining high energy levels is critical for productivity and overall well-being. You may wonder why sometimes when you fuel your body with food, you still end up feeling drained and weary. Well, the culprit could be the food we put on our plates. While we mostly focus on consuming energy-boosting foods, it is equally essential to steer clear of foods that drain energy. Health Shots reached out to nutritionist Avni Kaul , to learn about some energy-draining foods that we can avoid in our daily lives. Stop consuming foods that drain your energy Here are some foods from the expert that you need to avoid to maintain vitality and stay at the top of your game. 1. Sugar-laden treats “Sugary snacks and drinks give a quick energy spike, but this is mostly followed by a crash. When consumed in excess, sugar could lead to insulin spikes and crashes, leaving you feeling tired and irritable,” says the expert. Go for healthier, low-sugar alternatives l...

Body odour is a common concern for many people, and it can sometimes make us feel self-conscious. Fortunately, there’s a natural and pleasant solution that can help tackle this issue—essential oils. Essential oils are extracted from plants and are known for their wonderful scents and various benefits. Here you can find some of the best essential oils for body odour and learn the benefits of essential oils to reduce smell. These oils not only provide a refreshing fragrance but also offer antibacterial properties that combat the bacteria-causing body odour. 5 best essential oils for body odour 1. Organix Mantra Lavender Oil Organix Mantra Lavender oil is an essential oil that can be used to combat body odour effectively. It has calming and soothing properties, which are often associated with relaxation and stress relief. It also possesses remarkable benefits for your skin and hair. Lavender oil is also known for its antibacterial properties, which can help combat the bacteria respons...

Diwali, the festival of lights,  is around the corner and it is always fun and delightful. However, there is a downside to it that comes with bursting firecrackers. It results in sudden changes in air quality, and pollution levels suddenly go high. This temporary joy of bursting crackers can result in dire consequences for people, especially those with asthma. Asthmatics have to stay extra careful during Diwali to avoid complications. Health Shots got in touch with Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Head of Critical care and Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, and Dr Nevin Kishore, Senior Consultant and HOD- Pulmonology, Max Hospital, Gurugram. Why do people with asthma have to be careful during Diwali? High rise in air pollution levels around Diwali can make matters worse for asthma patients. The bursting of firecrackers emits several harmful air pollutants, including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and tiny particulate matter, all of which are easily absorbed by the respiratory...

As the weather changes, dry and flaky skin becomes a common concern. No one likes to have flakes on the skin which does not let any makeup sit on the skin properly. Plus, dry skin also brings itchiness, flaking and discomfort with it. From environment to genetics to stress, there are many reasons why you could develop a dry skin. One of the best ways to tackle dry skin is applying body lotion. With the right body lotion, you can keep your skin hydrated, soft and smooth. So, the key is to invest in the best body lotions for dry skin. When you battle dry skin woes, make sure you choose the right skincare products – be it the best body washes for dry skin or best lotions. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight lotion for everyday use or a heavy-duty cream for extra dry skin, we have you covered with the best body lotions for dry skin in India. Best body lotions for dry skin in India Here are some of the best moisturisers for dry skin that you must try: 1. mCaffeine Deep Moisturizin...

One might think that coming from one of the biggest families in Bollywood and having superstars as her sibling and cousins can be a reason to lose yourself in the glitz and glamour. But Anshula Kapoor proves this wrong. Actor Arjun Kapoor’s sister and producer Boney Kapoor’s daughter, Anshula shines in the glory of her own identity and unapologetic, unfiltered views on all that matters in life. Her posts on Instagram are anything but guarded as she shares with the world her thoughts and feelings. Be it feelings of accepting how she looks and who she is or her struggle with grief, Anshula makes sure to be as honest as she can. Health Shots got a chance to interact with Anshula around World Mental Health Day earlier this month. She was part of a panel discussion Let’s Be Brave Together, to promote mental health awareness. From being someone who had no idea who she was, to now someone who stands for body positivity and mental health awareness, Anshula shared her inspiring journey of se...

When we think of dairy products and health, it’s all about milk and yogurt. Right from making our bones strong to helping in digestion, these dairy items offer many benefits. You can add cottage cheese to the list too! Cottage cheese is a versatile food that can be incorporated into various dishes, both savory and sweet. It can be used in salads, sandwiches, smoothies or as a topping for fruits and vegetables. Cottage cheese also has many health benefits, which is why you should include this soft and white dairy product in your diet. Benefits of cottage cheese It has many benefits as it has an impressive nutritional value. Cottage Cheese (per 1 cup) roughly consists of: • Calories: Approximately 206 kcal • Protein: About 28 grams • Fat: Around 2.3 grams • Carbohydrates: Roughly 6 grams • Calcium: Approximately 258 mg • Vitamin B12: Approximately 1.4 mcg Cottage cheese is high in protein. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock Some of the most important health benefits of cottage chees...

Do you find yourself blaming and criticizing yourself whenever something goes wrong? This may be an act of self-loathing or self-hatred. Self-hate is a painful and complex emotion that many people experience at some point in their lives. It is a feeling that can stem from past experiences, societal pressures or unrealistic self-expectations. While it’s totally normal to have moments of self-doubt, prolonged self-hatred can be detrimental to your mental and emotional well-being. Health Shots spoke to Dr Jyoti Kapoor , Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali, Delhi-NCR, to know the best ways to stop self-hatred or self-loathing. 6 tips to cope with self-hate 1. Self-acknowledgement Self-awareness is a must in order to deal with self-hatred. Many people try to push away or deny their self-loathing, which only exacerbates the problem. Instead, you should try to recognize your feelings of self-hatred without judgment and understand that it’s okay to feel this way sometimes,...

Intermittent fasting seems to be the diet of the hour, quite literally! With limited regulations on what you eat, and focus on when you eat, intermittent fasting has become the go-to diet for many. However, is it that simple? If you find yourself in a situation where you have been following intermittent fasting but haven’t been able to shed the kilos, you are doing something wrong! Read on to know why intermittent fasting may not be working for you. What is intermittent fasting, and how does it work? Intermittent fasting allows you to break your day into two parts; you fasting window and your eating window. Explaining how this helps in losing weight, dietician Garima Goyal tells Health Shots, “The mechanism of action behind intermittent fasting of IF diet is complex and multifactorial. During the fasting window, the levels of insulin hormone drops and body starts using the stored fat as an energy source. Also, a process named autophagy begins in the fasting period where cell works b...

Bloating, abdomen pain, breast tenderness and headaches are just some of the things women experience around their periods. But some people also find themselves waking up in great spirits and then getting irritated or losing their cool just a few hours later for no reason. Mood swings during menstruation are quite common, and you can blame your hormones. Don’t worry, you can boost your mood with essential oils during periods. There is an interplay of prostaglandins during the menstrual cycle, which are chemicals responsible for mediating pain and can also affect mood, explains Dr Sowparnika S N , Consultant Reproductive Medicine, Fertility Specialist, Milann Fertility and Birthing Hospital, Sarjapura, Bengaluru. There is hormonal fluctuation that can result in feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness, contributing to mood swings . Women often experience mood swings during periods. Image courtesy Adobe Stock Essential oils to uplift mood during periods You may try to use some...

Beetroot is one vegetable that has found its place in the kitchens of many households across the world. Its tangy flavour is pleasing to the taste buds. Not only is beetroot vibrant in colour, but it also offers various health benefits, making it a must-have in your diet. Rich in essential nutrients, beetroots are a great source of fibre, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Health Shots got in touch with Dr Ushakiran Sisodia , Registered Dietician and Clinical Nutritionist, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai, to get to know how to include beetroot in your everyday diet. How to include beetroot in diet There are many ways to incorporate this nutritious vegetable into your daily meals. Here are seven interesting and delectable beetroot recipes for a healthy diet! Make your easy-to-make beetroot juice and take advantage of its umpteen benefits. Image courtesy: Adobe stock 1. Beetroot juice “A popular choice for many, mostly diabetics and tho...