How to eat Fruits? by Dr Punish Sadana

HOW TO EAT FRUITS

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat. 

DON'T EAT FRUIT AFTER MEALS! FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. It will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities. 

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so. In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.... Eat fruit on an empty stomach or before meals!  

People complain, "Every time I eat watermelon I burp; when I eat apples, my stomach bloats up; when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc ” This will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. 

Fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas, hence you will bloat! Grey hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under eyes will NOT happen by taking fruit on an empty stomach. There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. 

Master the correct way of eating fruits, and you will have beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight. 

Drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. Cooking destroys all the vitamins. Eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look! 

KIWI: A good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange. 

APPLE: Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke. 

STRAWBERRY: Have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals. 

ORANGE: Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessening the risk of colon cancer. 

WATERMELON: Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. A key source of lycopene the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium. 

GUAVA & PAPAYA: for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; good for your eyes. 

Drinking Cold water after meals = Cancer! It will solidify the oily stuff you have just consumed and slow down digestion... Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. This will turn into fats and lead to cancer. Better to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal. 

HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': Not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of pain in the jaw line. You may never have chest pain during a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are common symptoms. Sixty percent who have an attack while asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can awaken you...

A cardiologist (Dr. Punish Sadana) says if everyone makes this message reach to 10 people, WE can be sure it'll save at least one Life.

Updated By...Well-wisher & Health Conscious
Renu Khubchandani

Five Expert Tips for Seeking IVF Treatment

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has evolved into a sophisticated procedure ever since its breakthrough in 1978. With the availability of hi-tech infrastructure, effective treatment options and increased awareness, more and more people are willing to spend lakhs of rupees on IVF, one of the most expensive assisted reproductive technologies. Noticing the boom in the fertility sector in India, All India Institute of Medical Sciences is planning to provide in vitro fertilisation treatment to infertile couples at an affordable price.

However, the advances in fertility treatment options in India has its own share of menace. Experts suggest you should stay guarded when seeking IVF treatment as ill equipped laws and unauthorized fertility centres have made medicine a profession, duping many a couples into false statistics. If you are planning to seek IVF treatment, follow these tips from Medical experts for better results:

1. Treatment from an Authorized Clinic:

There are approx 500 IVF clinics across India, but not all of them are authorized. The rise in fertility tourism in India has created a boom in the medical Industry making many inexperienced doctors open up infertility clinics at every nook and corner of the country. The situation is worse as there is no law governing the setup of infertility clinics. Indian Council of Medical Research, which is responsible for laying down guidelines have limited set of laws with respect to IVF, ICSI, egg donation, and surrogacy. Also, there is no record of number of clinics following ICMR’s guidelines. Many medico-legal issues related to doctor’s negligence, donor gametes without consent, surrogacy fail to come to limelight in these clinics making it difficult for patients to make the right choice of the treatment centre.

It is thus important to run a thorough check of the infertility clinic you visit. Ask for registeration certificate of the clinic and make sure you sign an agreement before getting into any kind of medical treatment at the fertility centres.

2. Explore all other assisted reproductive technology options before committing to IVF:

Experts suggest that IVF isn’t and shouldn’t be the first option. While doctors at the private fertility clinics may convince you about the success ratio of IVF, you must seek second medical opinion from a specialist to understand the variety of assisted reproductive technologies you can try before investing in an expensive treatment like IVF. Many times “low tech” treatments are helpful in achieving pregnancy and there is no requirement for IVF. Cross check your diagnosis by requesting medical second opinion from a gynecologist. You can now seek second opinion online from top notch gynecologists with the aid of healthcare companies which help you gain access to top-notch medical experts.

3.Explore the Best Fertility Method for your case:

Once your diagnosis is clear, ask your doctor for the assisted reproductive technology that will be best for your case. There are many services like artificial insemination by husband or donor sperm, gamete intra fallopian transfer (GIFT), in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), donor egg treatment, donor embryo treatment and endoscopic diagnosis as well as the use of a surrogate mother. Discuss possible options with your doctor or seek second medical opinion from a medical expert to reconfirm your line of treatment.

4. Seek necessary guidance from Health care Medical Second opinion companies:

Advancements in World Wide Web have made it easier for patients to dictate their healthcare choices. Now you can choose your own doctors by reading patient reviews and opt for the line of treatment that suits you best. Feel free to join medical forums and discuss your case with patients combating similar ailments. Ask for reviews of doctors and clinics before visiting.

 Online medical second opinion firms help patients reach out to best of doctors and seek remote counselling from the comfort of their home. You can manage your medical records in an online repository and and have stress free recovery by seeking aid from an online medical representative who takes care of your medical insurance.

5. Stay abreast with the New Technological Developments in Assisted Reproductive technologies

Rapid technological advancements are taking place in the field of assisted reproduction and you must stay abreast with the changes to make the best of your treatment. A recent path breaking technology in IVF has made conception possible for women who have lost fertility due to ovarian cancer. A team of doctors at Royal Melbourne Hospital in Australia have achieved a breakthrough by helping an infertile woman to conceive through an ovarian tissue transplanted into her abdomen. Experts opine that this treatment is best for women who have a possibility of losing their fertility due to ovarian cancer treatment.

By Medical Opinion

Reining your Cholesterol Levels

Keeping a check on your cholesterol levels can reduce your chances of heart attack. There are three types of cholesterol - the good cholesterol also known as High Density Lipoprotein ( HDL), the bad cholesterol known as (LDL) Low Density Lipoprotein and the ugly Triglycerides which are fats derived from food. All the three cholesterol markers must be tuned equally to reach a perfect balance for a healthy heart. If you have to lower down any one of them, the rest two must also undergo a makeover.

The optimal reading of LDL cholesterol should be 100 mg/dl. The bad cholesterol or LDL is responsible for formation of plaque in the arteries leading to narrowing, blockage and hardening of arteries and a consequent heart attack. On the contrary, HDL aka good cholesterol helps in cleaning the artery narrowing plaque and therefore must be 60 mg/dl in women and 40-50 mg/dl in men. The normal reading for Triglycerides is less than 150 mg/dl. High levels of triglycerides ( 200 to 499 mg/dl ) is an indicator of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, factors responsible for cardiovascular diseases.

Here’s a review of expert guidelines for reining your cholesterol levels:

High Fibre, low fat diet:

An AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) study reported that a low fat high fibre diet can bring down LDL by 20 percent and a zero-oil diet can be helpful in toppling LDL levels to about 30 percent. Many other studies reiterate that a combination of a healthy diet and exercise can lower bad cholesterol.

Exercise and Active Lifestyle:

Lifestyle modifications and regular exercise are recommended to people with LDL from 80 – 100 mg /dl. Medication must be avoided if your LDL levels aren’t above 100 mg/dl, suggest experts. However, a good combination of lifestyle management and medication can help keeping cholesterol levels in check if you have  family history of cardio vascular diseases and diabetes.

Medication:

Pills are not for everyone. There are markers that indicate it’s time to start medication to control bad cholesterol levels, suggest experts. Statin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, is widely recommended to people with LDL levels below 70 mg/dl but Cardiologists in India recommend statins for people with LDL over 100, suggesting alternative non-medicinal options to combat rising cholesterol levels. However, if you are at risk of developing heart disease, either because of family history or due to prior vascular problems, you must keep your LDL levels under 80 with medication along with lifestyle management.  

Cholesterol lowering drugs like Statins are expensive and have to be taken lifelong, so they should be prescribed only if lifestyle modifications don’t work, suggest experts. Also, these medications have severe side effects like muscle pain and weakness. But, reports show that patients under mediation have 25 percent lower risk of developing diabetes and osteoporosis and benefits can be noticed within a month. 

Popular Aesthetic Procedures

Out of the 15 million people worldwide who resorted to plastic surgery in 2011 to enhance their looks, 466,231 were Indians, report a study. The staggering number of people going for cosmetic procedures has placed India 8th in the league of 25 countries known as popular cosmetic destinations.

Millions of Indians are going for tummy tucks, face lifts, fillers, jabs and peels in pursuit of overcoming congenital defects, bad lifestyle repercussions, accidental deformities, age or unappealing looks. Listed below are some of the popular aesthetic procedures Indian cosmetic surgeons have an expertise in:

Brow lift Surgery

Brow lift surgery is popular among women looking for a permanent anti-aging solution for sagging skin. As the name suggests, the surgery literally “lifts” the forehead skin or eyebrows to give a younger looking face. It is estimated that 7,869 Indians had full face lifts in the year 2011, depicting the rise of popularity of cosmetic procedures in India.

Crow's feet Removal Surgery

Crow’s feet are wrinkles at the corner of eyes. It is the most apparent sign of aging and can be removed with the aid of Botox, collagen injections, silicone drop injections, chemical peels and laser resurfacing.

Breast Augmentation

Breast implant is the most popular surgery opted by women to enhance their looks. However, statistics show that of 25,000 women who get their breasts enhanced through surgical procedure, 13, 561 have to undergo a subsequent breast reduction surgical treatment.

Liposuction

On an average 41,628 women undertake lipoplasty or fat modelling every year. Liposuction is a procedure in which fat is liquefied and sucked out of the body thereby reducing weight. Fat is sucked from any body part and the contouring is done in such a fashion that appearance of weight loss is greater than the amount of fat sucked from the body. 

Nasolabial and Mentolabial Folds Surgery

Permanent marking of smile lines or furrows around lips are first signs of aging. These wrinkles are surgically treated by stimulating collagen production in cells surrounding the treatment area. Permanent fillers or Temporary hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common treatments for nasolabial and mentolabial folds.

While these cosmetic procedures are widely available in most of cosmetic centres in India today, many cosmetic centres are run by amateur cosmetologists and thus proper research and care must be taken while choosing the right specialist and clinic. It is recommended to seek second medical opinion from a super specialist before opting for any treatment. 

By Medical Opinion

Five Important Questions to Ask your Oncologist

Cancer is among the ten leading causes of death in India taking its toll on five lakh people annually. As per WHO Report 2005, the estimated cancer deaths in India are expected to increase to 7 lakh by 2015. Cancer is fast becoming a major health concern as up to one million new cases of cancer are reported every year. Medical experts opine that delay in diagnosis is one of the main reasons cancer has become a leading life threat. About two third of cancer cases in the country can be prevented if patients seek second medical opinion to rule out misdiagnosis and avoid delay in treatment.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you must seek a second medical opinion  from an oncologist to get your reports cross checked and understand your medical condition. Here are a few questions you must ask your oncologist to get an better insight into your diagnosis and begin with a line of treatment that best suits your case:

What types of diagnostic testing have been performed to conclude my diagnosis?

Cancer diagnosis is not always straightforward. Experts explain that it's not always obvious which cells might be cancerous as every cancer is different. There are many cases of misdiagnosis reported every year wherein patients with benign tumors are treated for cancer. An accurate diagnosis is critical to determine an efficient treatment plan. Make sure your diagnosis has been made using the modern diagnostic equipments that can even detect the smallest lesions before any major symptoms are noticed.

Could you Interpret and explain my diagnostic report?

You must be able to understand the information generated about your medical condition in the tests. Ask your doctor for clear interpretation of the diagnostic report. Some of the questions that may concern you are:  The origin of cancer, size of tumor, stage of cancer and whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body.

What treatment options are available for my case?

There are many cancer treatments available depending on the type and stage of cancer. Seek medical opinion from an oncologist to completely understand the available treatment options before committing to one. With the aid of online healthcare companies you can now book appointment with top notch medical specialists or request second medical opinion from the comfort of your home.

Do you have a backup treatment procedure if the suggested approach doesn’t work for me?

The suggested or opted treatment option may not give desired results. It is thus important to keep a back up treatment option beforehand. Feel free to seek a second option from a super specialist if you feel that the line of treatment given by your doctor is not effective. It is advisable to talk to your own doctor about your inhibitions and ask for an alternative treatment method. Settle for an oncologist who is updated with the current oncological trends and is open to try new and effective approaches in healthcare.

What are the side effects of the suggested treatment, and how will you help me cope with them?

Always remember that no two patients have the same response  to similar treatments. Right from recovery time to side effects, every treatment aspect may vary depending on factors, external and internal. Ask your doctor about the potential side effects of the given treatment and how you can prepare yourself for them. Inquire if the care centre offers alternative therapies like nutrition therapy, ayurveda, yoga, pain management to help patients prevent and manage side effects of cancer treatment. 

By Medical Opinion

In Pursuit of High-Tech Babies: Risks Involved in IVF Treatment

After three decades of IVF baby boom, researchers can now talk with authority about the lasting effects of the revolutionary assisted reproductive technology that gave life to five million children worldwide. A research shows that among 4,795 babies born after IVF and 46,025 infants who were conceived naturally, 3,463 babies developed congenital birth defects. There are yet many risks involved for children and mothers seeking IVF treatment.

Listed below are some of the research findings about the ill-effects of IVF treatment:

1. Multiple Births

Mothers in pursuit of single child may be blessed with twins, triplets or in some cases, octuplets. Research shows that a woman undergoing IVF has an approximate 22-fold increased risk of conceiving a twin pregnancy and a 100-fold increased risk of conceiving a triplet pregnancy. The truth remains that the chances of not conceiving even a single child is just as high, leaving the IVF process unpredictable and risky.  

Since women under the age of 35 have a less than 43% chance of giving birth after IVF as compared to women over 41 who have less than 18% chance, more than one embryo is implanted in the uterus to ensure successful pregnancy. However, implanting more than one embryo in the uterus increasing the chances of multiple pregnancies  and leading to complications and higher risks of early labor and low birth weight.

Although doctors today have become more cautious and technological advancements to determine the health of an embryo are readily available, yet the risks are high if age of expecting mothers is beyond 35. 

2. Development of Ovarian Hyper stimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in Women

Ovarian stimulation drugs are used in the initial stages of IVF cycle to induce ovulation. These injectable fertility drugs lead to development of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome which causes swelling of ovaries leading to severe pain, weight gain and breathlessness. Use of fertility drugs like human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for triggering octocycte release are common but should not be exceeded. Some of the symptoms are mild abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

3. Egg-retrieval Procedure Complications

There are many complications involved in procuring eggs from the uterus. An aspirating needle is used which may cause bleeding, infection or damage to the bowel. It is recommended to take up IVF treatment from a skilled surgeon after consulting gynecologists for a second medical opinion. Evaluate the risks involved when talking to your doctor and make sure you opt for a hygienic and technologically equipped fertility centre.

4. Birth Defects

Age of mother is the determining factor in development of birth defects in children. One study shows that almost ten percent of the babies born with IVF has a birth defect. A study shows that about 47 in 100,000 infants born from IVF developed cognitive deficits, such as low IQ or problems in communicating or socializing with others, compared with 40 in 100,000 among naturally conceived children.

5. Neurological Imbalance

In a recent study considered to be the largest study to date looking at the connection between IVF procedures and neurological disorders, researchers show that babies born through IVF  develop intellectual disabilities. The risks are higher among twins and triplets.

By Medical Opinion

In Vitro Fertilization(IVF): Five Fertility Facts

Infertility is rising at an alarming rate in India. It is estimated that around 250 million individuals estimated to be attempting parenthood at any given time, 13 to 19 million couples are likely to be infertile. With the growing infertility rate, there has been a spurt of IVF centres across the country as more and more people are turning to technology for parenthood. As per the estimate, there are 500 children born in IVF clinics in the capital every month.

If you are trying to conceive through InVitro Fertilization (IVF), you must have heard and read a lot about factors influencing the success of an IVF treatment. Here’s an insight from our team of medical experts to help you sieve facts from myths about popular IVF beliefs:

1. Women Below 35 Have Higher Chances of Benefiting from IVF Treatment:

It is a well established belief that woman’s age is the main determinant of the success of IVF treatment. The omnipresent advertisements and hoardings promising parenthood in late 40’s have generated misperception among women about the irrelevancy of age when seeking IVF or any other assisted reproductive treatment. However, medical experts insist women not to be taken away by deluding marketing strategies by fertility clinics and give a thought to their age before giving the treatment another year.

Fertility treatments have higher success rate till the age of 35 and drops dramatically afterwards. Even in IVF, pregnancies after 42 are uncommon, inform medical specialists.

2. Stress Affects Fertility Performance in IVF cycle:

Studies show that negative emotions like anxiety, depression, anger and other mentally tasking stimulants affect fertility in women undergoing IVF treatment. Stress reduces the number of eggs retrieved and fertilized thereby making the chances of fertilization low. While financial constraints, marital distress and inhibitions in achieving treatment success take toll on a couple, it is advisable to practice stress-free lifestyle for better results.  

3. IVF treatment has become safer over the years:

IVF technology has improved tremendously over the years since its inception in 1970’s, reducing the cases of multiple births, miscarriage, premature delivery and Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome. Our understanding of the reproductive system and factors affecting fertility has also improved thereby making the process more productive and risk-free. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) has eliminated the need for donor sperm and high-order multiple births have nearly been eliminated by implantation of single embryo. It is recorded that nearly 150,000 thousand healthy test tube babies have been born since the inception of IVF technology by Louis Brown in 1978.

4. Poor Oral Hygiene has Negative Impact on IVF Results:

Studies show that poor oral hygiene has detrimental effect on getting and staying pregnant. If your teeth and gums are infected, the toxins from bacteria get to the bloodstream affecting the health of foetus. It may lead to miscarriage, premature birth and other complications. Women with periodontal disease take an average of two months longer to conceive than those with healthy gums.

The risks are higher in women seeking IVF treatment as research has revealed that progesterone and oestrogen rich ovulation-inducing medicines given to women for a span of more than three menstrual cycle cause inflammation and bleeding gums.

5. High Protein Diet Boosts IVF Success:

A recent study at Delaware Institute for Reproductive Medicine shows that women on 25% protein diet are more likely to have successful outcomes in IVF.  Results show that pregnancy rate increased by 80% when high protein diet was clubbed with restricted carbohydrate intake. 

By Medical Opinion