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  • Foods To Avoid If I Have Hypothyroidism
    Can I eat cabbage or broccoli? Can I eat miller? Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju brings you up to speed on ‘goitrogenic foods’ and answers diet questions for persons with hypothyroidism.   What is hypothyroidism: This is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of the front of your neck. Its major function is to produce thyroid hormones, which play many roles…
  • Lack of exercise 'twice as deadly' as obesity
    Just 20 minutes of brisk walking a day may be all it takes to lessen a sedentary person's risk of early death, says a new study. The researchers also found the risk of early death due to lack of exercise is double that posed by obesity and does not necessarily depend on being obese or overweight. Prof. Ekelund says the study delivers a simple message: "just a small amount of physical activity each day could have substantial health benefits for people who are physically inactive." However,…
  • Fruit consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes
    We get this question so often from people with diabetes who are worried about eating fruit that we thought we should share this research extract. Please remember every time you eat a cup of fruit (not juice), you are not eating something unhealthy like a packet of chips or a sweet.  Greater consumption of specific whole fruits, particularly blueberries, grapes, and apples, is significantly associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas greater consumption of fruit juice is…
  • The 5 biggest myths about Mental Strength
    By Amy Morin, a licensed clinical social worker and an internationally recognized expert on mental strength Without mental strength, we aren't likely to reach our physical fitness goals -- or any other goals for that matter. Building mental strength is the key to reaching our full potential in life. There are a lot of misconceptions about what mental strength really is and why it's important. Here are the five biggest myths about mental strength: Myth #1 -- The Idea That You Can Build Mental…
  • Gong Xi Gong Xi...
    Enjoy the Lunar New Year festivities without compromising your health. By Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju. It’s that time of the year again, the most significant few days in the Chinese calendar – the Lunar New Year. It’s a time to get together with friends and family and eat, drink and be merry... in a health-conscious way.  First up, the Reunion Dinner on New Year’s Eve, when families gather around a sumptuous meal. A part of the meal is Lo Hei, when everyone gathers…
  • No more ‘sugar rush’
    Everything you eat is converted to sugar – yes, proteins and fats, too. A fast food meal spikes blood sugar by 30%. Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju tells you how to break out of the vicious cycle of sugar rush, insulin spike, blood sugar drop, renewed hunger and weight gain.  Go for the slow burn  If you want your day to be more productive and rewarding, launch it with a nourishing meal. You will be more productive all day long if you invest just a few minutes in…
  • Eat blueberries and strawberries three times per week
    A significant study links berry consumption with improved heart health. You can’t get the same benefit from a pill or supplement. The finding comes from a new study led by Dr. Eric Rimm, associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School. “The sooner people start the type of diet that includes a higher intake of blueberries and strawberries, the better,” Dr. Rimm says. “The people with heart benefits had three or more servings of a half a cup of…
  • 9 reasons to get off that couch NOW
    Think you know all the reasons? Prepare to be surprised. By family practitioner and marathoner Dr Gita Mathai. Plus, how much to exercise to get its real benefits. We all want to look good, be slim and healthy. There’s one magic pill for this and it’s called exercise. Even if you’re ‘too tired’ or ‘too busy’, you need to get off that couch now.  Benefits of regular exercise Exercise helps to achieve ideal body weight if also combined with calorie restriction.…
  • Take a lunchtime stroll to reduce stress
    Study published in The Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports shows that even gentle lunchtime strolls can perceptibly - and immediately - buoy and improve people's moods and ability to handle stress at work. To assess people's moods, the volunteers set up a specialized app that included a list of questions about their emotions - stress, tension, enthusiasm, workload, motivation, physical fatigue.   Walkers said they felt more enthusiastic, less tense, more relaxed on the…
  • Caregiver health and wellness
    You are focused on looking after a patient with a chronic condition. But you, the caregiver, may also be at risk. Rama Murali of Care3 (Care Cubed), a support network and resource bank for caregivers, gives you some tips on how to avoid caregiver burnout. “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha Why focus on Caregiver health? Although caregiving can be truly rewarding for many, the 24×7 nature of caring for a…