Fats or lipids have been much reviled especially in modern times of social media and body shaming. People have been randomly shunning fat-laden items from their diets to acquire that elusive “shape” while sweating away in gyms. Is this wise and how does this impact the body biochemistry in the long run? Before we go further a brief, basic understanding of fats, its types and categories would be in place. What are Fats? Just as carbs are a chain of saccharides, proteins...
Pain is a phenomenon which has been prevalent in the animal kingdom since life evolved on the planet. Just that humans can describe it, animals cannot. Inflammation as a condition is more recently added. Its understanding has been concomitant with the unravelling of the immune system and its intricacies. The question that springs to mind is how are the two related? Is it a chicken and egg conundrum? Though pain is a study by itself given its myriad types and forms,...
When diets are deficient in any component, macro or micro, supplementation is warranted to avert any physiological imbalance which could have avoidable consequences. This gains more significance in the growing years of a child when his / her physical and mental attributes are determined. Ideally, a growing child’s daily diet should suffice for optimal development but that seldom is the case. Protein is a macronutrient that is vital for child growth and development. Yet, research amongst American kids suggests that 1...
Proteins are the building blocks of life; they are bodylicious! This miracle molecule is pure power and is your first investment in good health. But alas! Proteins cannot be stored in the body and require a daily supplement. The recommended daily allowance of proteins can be satisfied by eating a balanced diet that includes the right amounts of eggs/meat, poultry/fish/dairy, or legumes/pulses/nuts/seeds. However, the modern diet and a fast-paced lifestyle are highly flawed; they lack basic nutrition and contain plenty of...
Most of mankind needs a stimulant to start the day, and then once or more in between to sustain energy levels. The most commonly used beverage for this is either tea or coffee, which is a staple the world over irrespective of other culinary peculiarities. Many can skip a meal but cannot do without their humble cuppa. It is also common knowledge that the ingredient in tea or coffee imparting the stimulating effect is caffeine. However, for something that is...
There are three accepted pillars to good health, a simple diet, adequate rest and exercise. In the days of yore, when life was slow, all three were made available as a matter of routine. Today the diets are varied but richer, rest hours curtailed due to paucity of time and exercise shunned due to lack of motivation or energy. To cater to the latter a wide mix of energy drinks are now on offer promising to sustain a fruitful exercise...
