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The timing of food intake can affect weight loss in several ways. Eating at regular intervals throughout the day, rather than skipping meals or having large gaps between meals can help regulate hunger and prevent overeating. Eating a larger breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a smaller dinner has also been shown to be beneficial for weight loss. In addition, eating a healthy snack before bedtime can help prevent late-night snacking, which can lead to weight gain. However, it is important to note that overall calorie intake and balance of macronutrients are more important than the timing of meals for weight loss. Breakfast Eating a nutritious breakfast within the first hour of waking can jumpstart metabolism and provide energy for the day. It regulates our hunger hormones and keeps us fuller and pleased for longer. Skipping breakfast can lead to overeating later in the day and slow metabolism. No matter what, don't skip meals. Skipping breakfast is frequently linked to a number of unhealthy indicators, including weight gain and decreased glucose metabolism. People frequently find that eating breakfast reduces impulsive snacking and prepares the body for a day of healthy nutrition. Your metabolism can be boosted for the day by having a well-balanced breakfast that includes high-fiber foods like berries and a decent source of protein like Greek yogurt. Lunch Although lunch should be your largest meal of the day, the timing of lunch seems to have the least impact on weight loss (along with breakfast if consumed). This relates to the fact that the body is more effective earlier in the day at digesting food, burning calories, and controlling hormones thanks to those circadian rhythms. Eating a balanced lunch that includes protein, whole grains, and vegetables can help control hunger and keep energy levels steady throughout the afternoon. Skipping lunch can lead to overeating or making poor food choices later in the day. According to studies, the best time to eat lunch is between 12 and 2 p.m. We must, of course, keep in mind that we are all unique, so this may not apply to everyone. If you're busy or distracted, skipping lunch could be tempting, but it might lead to issues later in the day. By depriving your body of energy, skipping lunch might leave you feeling groggy or sleepy. Furthermore, you may become unusually hungry in the afternoon, leading to overeating at your final meal. Finally, listening to your internal cues to identify your hunger level and making the right option is the best strategy. Dinner Eating a light dinner that is low in calories and high in nutrients can help with weight loss. Eating a heavy dinner close to bedtime can cause weight gain as the body is less active and burns fewer calories during sleep. Eating a late dinner may also disrupt sleep, which can lead to weight gain. The ideal time for your last meal of the day is at least three to four hours before you go to bed. A late meal or eating too late at night may increase your risk of obesity and metabolic disturbances like dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, according to studies. Those who consumed more calories at dinner than they did at breakfast had more pronounced insulin resistance. This result implies that cutting back on dinnertime calories may eventually help lower insulin resistance. Soup, grilled chicken or fish, a big bowl of salad, multigrain roti with palak paneer, or boiling chana masala are all acceptable options for dinner. For those attempting to reduce weight, meal timing is a crucial component. All of the major food categories should be present in a balanced meal for you. Keep all food groups in your diet. If you want to reduce weight, choose little, regular meals rather than 3 large ones. Between meals, consume a healthy drink or a healthy snack. Also, keep track of the time you consume each meal. (Dr. Rohini Patil, MBBS, Nutritionist and CEO of Nutracy Lifestyle) Read more►Your Guide to Eating Right As Per Ayurveda in 2023

London, March 25 (IANS): A team of scientists have for the first time demonstrated that plastic particles from our day-to-day lives such as water bottles, grocery bags, toys and disposable cutlery, among others, can end up in our bloodstream in detectable levels. The research, published in the scientific journal Environment International, shows that miniscule pieces of plastic from our living environment are absorbed into the human bloodstream. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene, and polymers of styrene were the most common types of plastic found in the blood samples, followed by poly(methyl methacrylate). Polypropylene was also analysed but the concentrations were too low for an accurate measurement. PET is commonly found in soda and water bottles; containers; polyethylene in bottles for milk and household cleaners; blow-extruded grocery bags, caps, and toys while polymers of styrene are found in disposable cutlery, plastic models, CD's and DVD cases. "We have now proven that our bloodstream, our river of life as it were, has plastic in it," said ecotoxicologist Heather Leslie from Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. The team developed an analytic method for establishing the trace level of micro and nanoplastic particles in human blood. The study included 22 participants, whose blood was examined for the presence of five different polymers, the building blocks of plastic. Three-quarters of the test subjects appeared to have plastics in their blood, the team said. While earlier indicators for this came from laboratory experiments, the new research shows that people absorb microplastics from their environment in their everyday lives and that the amounts are measurable in their blood. The overall concentration of plastic particles in the blood of the 22 donors amounted to an average of 1.6 microgram/millilitre (ug/ml), which is comparable to a teaspoon of plastic in 1,000 lts of water (10 large bathtubs). A quarter of the tested donors had no detectable quantities of plastic particles of any type in their blood. "This dataset is the first of its kind and must be expanded to gain insight into how widespread plastic pollution is in the bodies of humans, and how harmful that may be. With this insight we can determine whether exposure to plastic particles pose threat to public health," said analytical chemist Marja Lamoree from the varsity. The team now wants to address how easy it is for these particles to move from the bloodstream into tissues such as in organs like the brain. (agency) Read More► Why Some Respiratory Infections Persist Despite Proper Treatments

Mental illnesses in various forms have been a major health burden globally in recent years. Unhealthy lifestyles, poor eating habits and rise in work-related stress are factors that are contributing to the rising incidence of anxiety and depression. Psychotic drugs in treating anxiety and depression are effective but offer only symptomatic relief. Long-term intake of drugs often leads to dependence without preventing further illness or providing a comprehensive solution to improving mental health. People suffering from poor mental health can reap rich and long-term benefits by adopting the ancient Indian practice of Yoga in their daily lives. Yoga helps in maintaining good mental and physical health. It harmonises our body and mind and restores our emotional balance. There is growing evidence that Yoga can have a positive impact on depression, anxiety and those who have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). When adopted as a daily practice, yoga can help calm down the mind and prevent the development of mental illnesses. Stress is the root cause of several lifestyle diseases. Yoga adopts a scientific approach of exercising and relaxing to ease the stress of modern day living. Yoga also contributes to improving memory, sleep and even quality of life in elderly persons with mild memory impairment. Here are some poses that help improve mental health besides providing other health benefits: Shashankasana or Child's Pose This asana stimulates your nervous system thereby re-energizing your whole body. This asana is basically a resting pose somehow resembling a child in fetal position. It is performed by sitting down on the knees and then bending forward so that the chest touches the thighs, and the forehead touches the ground. Stretch the arms forward. If performed with precision regularly, the performer will notice a sense of mental, physical, and emotional comfort descending upon him/her. Like most yoga asanas, this one, too, should be performed on an empty stomach or at least six hours after a meal. However, people suffering from high blood pressure and back pain should avoid this asana. Vipareetakaraniasana This inverted pose is one of the best yoga asanas for improving blood circulation towards the head. It helps to calm anxiety, treat depression and insomnia besides regulating blood flow. This pose can be performed by lying down flat on your back. Keep the legs together. While inhaling raise the legs, buttocks and the trunk and support the hips on the palm. The trunk is held at 45 degrees angle to the ground. Breathe normally in this position. To return, lower the legs over the head and keep the hands down while exhaling. Bring the spine and the legs down. Hasta Utthanasana This yoga pose is thought to be therapeutic for people suffering from high blood pressure, asthma, sinusitis, infertility and osteoporosis. It also helps to relieve mild depression and beat insomnia as it is highly beneficial as a relaxation tool. To perform this pose, stand straight. Raise your hands from the front to above your head as you inhale slowly. Bend backwards from the upper back and maintain the position with normal breathing. Shavasana This pose is typically performed at the end of yoga routines and helps boost mental health and relaxes the body. Lie flat on your back, keeping the body straight and hands at the sides with palms facing upwards. Close your eyes and hold the position for at least five minutes. Even pregnant women can practice this asana as it will help them prevent prenatal depression, a prevalent mental disorder in women during pregnancy. It should be noted that the above-mentioned yogic practices are to be learned in a gradual manner under the supervision of a yoga expert. Yoga enables a practitioner to expand their mental faculties and achieve a greater acceptance of self and others, which ultimately leads to calmer approach to the life. Yoga encourages practitioners to experience an open heart. Many yogic philosophers consider the entire practice to be about metaphorically connecting to our hearts. Within the chakra system, the heart lies in the middle of the seven chakras. Asanas such as arda chakrasana (back bend), kapotasana (pigeon pose), and ustrasana (camel pose) encourage the expansion of the centre of the chest which is the location of the anahata chakra, the yogic heart centre. Visualizations and pranyams in yoga also encourage open heartedness. Read More► Escape Wedding Blues With These Yoga Postures & Breathing Techniques

Chennai, Aug 19 (IANS) With schools in Tamil Nadu for classes IX to XII all set to reopen from September 1, the state health department has issued a standard protocol wherein all the students are to be screened within a week of reopening.The SOP also made it mandatory that all the teachers and school staff be vaccinated. The students who are eligible to take vaccines must also be inoculated, a statement from the state health department on Wednesday said.Schools have been asked to disinfect areas such as water tanks, kitchens, canteen, washrooms, libraries, laboratories and transport vehicles. Frequently touched surfaces such as desks and benches and other equipment also must be disinfected, as per standard protocol.The SOP also said that standard distance has to be maintained in classes and chair or benches have to be kept wide apart - at least 6 feet distance from each other. Temporary spaces or bigger outdoor spaces can be used for conducting classes. If weather permits classes can be held outdoor.Temporary spaces and larger rooms like laboratories and libraries, computer rooms, or auditoriums can be used to conduct classes to maintain a safe distance.Social distancing norms have to be followed in staff rooms, canteens, and other areas of the schools.Schools can be run in shifts, 50 per cent of students should be allowed to attend school every alternate day to ensure social distancing norms. The schools are not allowed to conduct functions or celebrations and strict SOPs have to be adhered to.Assemblies can be conducted in their respective classrooms, outdoor spaces, or halls under the guidance of the teachers. Signs and markings must be made in classrooms, libraries, laboratories, outside washrooms, handwashing areas, school kitchen, bus parking areas as well as entry and exit to schools.Covid appropriate behaviour must be communicated to teachers, students, parents, staff, and members of management committees through online or offline modes. Pamphlets, public announcements can be made on Covid appropriate behaviour like hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, and safe distancing.Tamil Nadu School education minister, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi told IANS, "We will be taking utmost care for the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff members and all the SOPs as far as Covid is concerned have to be maintained as and when the schools reopen for students of higher classes."--IANSaal/skp/