Lifestyle Changes For Healthy Kidneys

By making changes in lifestyle, kidney diseases cannot only be prevented but also controlled in their early stages, said experts. Himanshu Verma, Head of the Department of Nephrology at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital, said in his presentation that the process from kidney disease to kidney failure happens in five stages. "But it is possible to completely overcome the disease in the first and second stages. For this, first of all, it is necessary to have awareness among the patients so that the disease can be identified in the initial stage itself." According to him, keeping the body mass index (BMI) between 20-25, walking 30 minutes a day and at least five days a week, changing lifestyle, and reducing the consumption of pain-relieving medicines, among other precautions, are effective in controlling the disease in the initial stage. Patients with diabetes and high blood pressure would be at the highest risk of kidney disease. "This risk can be much higher for people over 60 years of age with any of these diseases." The experts also talked about alternative treatment methods of ayurveda like Neeri KFT, a traditional ayurvedic polyherbal formulation that has been found to be effective in regulating functions of at least six genes variants causing kidney dysfunction. In concluding remarks, Sanchit Sharma, Executive Director, of AIMIL Pharma, said the nine-day-long program experts discussed extensively how to avoid kidney diseases and how to manage them. "This discussion shows that no standards can be fixed to prevent the disease but a dynamic approach needs to be adopted," he said. Studies have warned that the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in India is on the rise among those dealing with chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Read More►Debunking 5 Common Diabetes Myths

Fitness enthusiasts are always on the lookout for ingredients to help boost their fitness journeys. While chemical supplements are widely available in the market, the goodness of ayurvedic ingredients does not usually get the attention it deserves. Ayurveda is a centuries-old Indian healthcare practice. It aims to maintain health and wellness by balancing the mind, body, and spirit, and it focuses more on prevention than treatment. To accomplish this, it takes a holistic approach that encompasses nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments. Ayurvedic herbs and spices play a significant role in this approach. They are believed to give a range of health advantages, including better digestion and mental health, and actually protect your body from sickness. Here are 5 Healthy Ingredients for Fitness Enthusiasts Shared by Dr. Kriti Soni, Head of R&D, Kapiva 1. Ashwagandha  Originally from India, ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a little woody shrub. Its roots and berries are used to make a well-known Ayurvedic medicine. It is classified as an adaptogen, which means it is believed to help your body cope with stress more effectively. Cortisol is a hormone that your adrenal glands create in response to stress, and studies have shown that ashwagandha lowers cortisol levels. Fitness enthusiasts can benefit from it to relieve stress-both physical and psychological. Ashwagandha may also improve muscle growth and blood sugar levels. 2. Shilajit ​It is an ingredient that has been used extensively in Ayurvedic medicinal practices to treat a wide range of ailments. It is abundant in minerals and contains a major compound known as fulvic acid. While working out, fitness enthusiasts lose essential electrolytes that aid in regulating water balance, muscle contractions, nerve impulses, and metabolism by sweating. Shilajit is rich in certain mineral content, which has the ability to replace these electrolytes, thus maintaining physical performance and endurance. 3. Triphala  Triphala is an Ayurvedic cure made from the three medicinal fruits listed: Amla (Emblica Officinalis, or Indian gooseberry) Bibhitaki (Terminalia Bellirica) Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula) According to research, Triphala may lessen arthritic inflammation and prevent or slow the spread of several cancers. Furthermore, Triphala is also beneficial for improved digestion and oral health. Fitness enthusiasts may benefit largely from including Triphala in their diet, as it can promote overall health and well-being. It acts as a colon toner and helps in strengthening and toning the tissues of the colon. As a result, it helps manage weight. 4. Turmeric Another well-liked Ayurvedic treatment is turmeric It is the ingredient that gives curry its characteristic yellow color. Its primary active ingredient, curcumin, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Test-tube research suggests that it might be just as effective as other anti-inflammatory medications, if not more so, and without any of their negative effects. Additionally, turmeric may aid in the prevention of heart disease in part by enhancing blood flow, just as effectively as exercise or other prescribed drugs. 5. Cardamom Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is known as the "queen of spices," and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times. According to research, those with high blood pressure may benefit from using cardamom powder to lower it. There is evidence that inhaling cardamom essential oil may improve the body's ability to absorb oxygen when exercising. Ayurvedic studies suggest that adding cardamom may lower blood pressure, improve breathing, and heal stomach ulcers. However, more human study is required before definitive conclusions can be drawn. Ayurvedic herbs and spices have been an integral part of traditional Indian medicine for centuries. An increasing amount of scientific evidence supports their many proposed health benefits, including protection against type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Thus, adding small amounts of these ingredients may help both flavors your meals and boost your health. That said, large doses may not be suitable for everyone, so make sure to seek advice from your healthcare provider before adding Ayurvedic supplements to your fitness regimen. (Agency). Read more►Yoga And Pranayama Help Ease Panic Attacks

'Healthy lifestyle' a common phrase that has come under much scrutiny over the last couple years, has some of us checking our calorie count with every meal intake, and most of us aiming to achieve it, but never being able to. Despite alarming facts that reveal the sorry state of the Indian population's heart health, and India accounting for approximately 60 per cent of the world's heart diseases, it becomes an important consideration. We know that hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity can impact our health negatively. These can be caused by our poor lifestyle choices. Our sedentary lifestyles have led to reduced levels of physical activity, coupled with the lack of moderation and imbalance in our food habits that include excess consumption of processed foods high in refined sugar, salt and high-in fat consisting of saturated and trans-fat. The key to minimising health risks is not as hard as you may think. Starting small and adopting simple dietary and lifestyle changes can help in maintaining overall heart health. Choose Granola Bars Over Indian Dessert We Indians have a sweet tooth and crave for something sweet with our meals, but most of the time we go overboard with the consumption of desserts which have excessive amount of sugar. Over consumption of sugar for long period of time accumulates as fat in the body causing weight gain. Even though sugar is part of our regular diet one needs to be mindful about the consumption pattern, portion sizes and should go for a snack which is more ideal. Granola bars are a quick snack for those who need a power boost but make sure you use low amounts of sugar. Homemade granola bars can be made at home with oats, berries, edible seeds and dry fruits that are high sources of fibre and protein. Soluble fibre helps to reduce LDL levels i.e., bad cholesterol and blood pressure which will keep your heart healthy. Swap Fruit Juices With Whole Fruits Consuming whole fruits in the morning helps in better absorption of vitamins from the fruits. However, people choose the convenient option and consume fruit juices. Natural and canned fruit juices are a concentrated sources of sugars without the benefit of fibre. Hence, it is advisable to include whole fruits as part of your breakfast, which have nutrients like fibre, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Seasonal fruits can be a good way to include fruits in your breakfast every day. Choose Blended Oils Over Single Seed Oils Our day-to-day cooking requires oil in almost all our meals, therefore choosing the right oil is a simple change for overall health. Though single seed oils like ground nut, soybean, canola etc. do have health benefits, they are not enough to provide the right balance of fatty acids which are recommended in our diet. A healthier switch would be opting for multi-source oils, also known as blended oils. Blended oils with antioxidants have multiple benefits like providing nutrition from fats and improving immunity. It is prepared by combining two or more oils into one to obtain benefits of two oils in one. They are scientifically blended to provide good balance of MUFAs and PUFAs that help manage cholesterol. Choosing a blended oil like Saffola Gold Blended Oil as part of your everyday diet can help in keeping your heart healthy. It has natural antioxidants that help build immunity and gives you benefits of oryzanol that helps lower your cholesterol. Additionally, it has LOSORB technology which helps in absorbing lower quantities of oil during frying compared to other cooking oils. The oil is a blend of Rice Bran Oil which is rich in MUFA and Sunflower Oil which is rich in PUFA; and hence, gives you a good balance of MUFA and PUFA, which is beneficial for your heart health. Lower Sodium and Saturated Fat Rich Snack Foods The American Heart Association and Indian Council of Medical Research recommend ideal consumption of sodium to be no more than 2000 mg a day. Processed foods like chips, crackers or white bread as an evening snack has become a norm amongst adults these days and these foods are usually high in sodium and saturated fat. It is important to check nutritional labels before purchasing processed foods to assess the amount of sodium and saturated fat you are consuming. You can also opt for a healthy switch and consume foods like fruits, sprouts, oats, yogurt or millet based foods for snacks. Swap Fast Food With Healthy Alternatives Working professionals living sedentary lifestyles tend to depend on fast food to satisfy their hunger pangs. Fast food could have excess amounts of saturated fats, refined sugar and sodium, increasing the possibility of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol imbalance. To counter this, a simple habit of eating healthy alternatives like hummus wrap, savoury oatmeal, and millet dosas can be relished. Chickpeas, oats, millet flour and veggies have great source of plant-based protein and fiber which improves your good gut bacteria and have low glycemic Index that helps to control blood sugar levels. Leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage, fenugreek leaves, kale and collard greens are high in fibre, vitamins and minerals that promote overall health and heart health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can seem overwhelming, especially with all the information out there. However, breaking down your health goals and making simple, easy changes to your everyday habits can help achieve a healthy lifestyle. (N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe)

Staying fit and healthy is essential for living life to the fullest. But there are times when we all get sick, such as when the seasons change. But did you know that there are certain techniques to keep the sickness at bay regardless of many other circumstances? This can be accomplished by eating the correct foods. Many factors contribute significantly to the prevention of illness. According to Dr. Rohini Patil, MBBS, and CEO of Nutracy Lifestyle, making the following adjustments in your life will help you avoid being sick as frequently. Having 3 Balanced Meals a Day Skipping meals can become a huge mess for you if you are working throughout the day. The main function of the meals themselves is to sustain energy. A well-balanced diet will keep you energetic throughout the day. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and calcium in your meals as these reduce your heart disease risk by maintaining blood pressure and calcium will keep your teeth and bones strong. You can get calcium from dark green vegetables like kale and broccoli. Walking 30 Mins Every Day Walking is a great form of exercise that moves every muscle in your body. chances are you feel fatigued through the day if you are looking for a lifestyle change. Walking helps in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, which leads to heart diseases. It not only improves brain performance and productivity but also is a great way to destress. You don't have to run or play, just walk for 30 minutes and you'll see changes in your life. It helps you in strengthening bones and boosts muscles. Starting small with a daily walk is the best way to do so. Hydrate Regularly Water is a very essential mineral for the body. It is vital for sustaining a healthy body. It helps in regulating body temperature, keeps those joints well lubricated, prevents infections, and ensures your organs function optimally. Drink at least 2 liters of water every day. If you are not fam with plain water, add lemon, mint, and cucumber to it. Prioritizing Mental Health Numerous factors like heavy workloads, long shifts, lack of physical and psychological safety, lack of social support, and many more can be the reason behind your stress. These can have a negative impact on your health and lifestyle. Stress can increase your blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease. It also causes depression which will impact your health badly, so the best thing you can do is avoid stress. Taking stress won't change anything, just relax and solve your problems calmly. Good Quality Sleep You might have heard that it's necessary to take 8 hours of sleep every day but rather than just 8 hours of bad sleep get a good quality of sleep. Don't compromise your sleep ever. Maintain a proper schedule or time and never have heavy meals at night. Proper sleep decreases the risk of heart ailments, depression, and obesity. Nothing happens overnight, everything takes time. Making changes in your daily lifestyle can be tough for you but you have to be realistic. Good days and bad all are part of life, maybe sometimes you are very strong and sometimes you don't even want to get up from bed. You need to stay on track and be consistent. Try with small changes and surely it'll become your habit. (N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe) Read More► 3 Lifestyle Tips for Balancing Vata Dosha