PatientsEngage General Community

All you need to know about artificial sweeteners and sugar-free treats. By Dr Gita Mathai, a paediatrician and family practitioner.  Food is enjoyed if it looks, smells and tastes good. It needs to provide an appetising blend of salt, sugar, bitters, sourness and spice. The first three in excess are “injurious to health”, and, of these, sugar is considered the greatest villain of all. It is purported to be singlehandedly responsible for the global epidemic of…

Abnormally dry skin? Change in hair colour or shape of your nails? Even simple changes in the body may signify an underlying problem that you need to get checked out. By Dr Gita Mathai, paediatrician and family practitioner, shares tips to help you stay vigilant. The Skin should be a healthy colour.  • If it turns yellow, you may have jaundice.  • If it looks pale, get checked for anaemia. Here's how to manage iron-deficient anaemia. • Excessively cracked and…

Meaning Uttan means raising up. Pada means leg. Uttanpadasana translates to raising of leg/s. Benefits  1. This asana stretches the hamstring muscles and strengthens the thighs. 2. It strengthens the muscles of the lower abdomen and reduces abdominal fat. 3. This asana is good for the digestive system. It exercises the pelvic and perineal muscles. 4. It makes the back strong. 5. This is a preparatory pose for performing inverted poses in the course of practice. Contraindications People…

The following recipe is a combination of a cereal-rice and legume – rajma (red kidney beans), along with milk products that improve the biological quality of the protein in the meal. It is rich in calcium and Vitamin A (and carotene), Vitamin C and the B group of vitamins. Though this requires a little planning, the preparation can be completed in a short time if using a pressure cooker, thus saving more nutrients.  Ingredients 200g rajma 1 cardamom  150g curd (…

Meaning Yogmudra develops psychic awareness and control of energy. Benefits 1. Yogmudra strengthens the lower back and stretches the spinal cord. 2. The posture helps to massage the abdomen and the digestive system. 3. It is believed to prevent and manage diabetes. 4. It massages the pelvis and the reproductive organs. 5. It relieves anger and tension, inducing tranquillity. 6. It develops mental peace. Contraindications Those suffering from high blood pressure should not hold the pose for long…

Meaning Bhujanga means cobra. Asana is posture. This asana imitates the posture of a striking cobra. Benefits 1. Bhujangasana improves and deepens breathing and helps relieve stress. 2. It keeps the spine supple and healthy. It helps correct the alignment of the spine. 3. It is beneficial for all abdominal organs, especially the liver, the pancreas and the kidneys. 4. It strengthens the arms and shoulders. 5. It tones the ovaries and the uterus and helps during menstruation and related…

Family medicine practitioner and yoga instructor Dr R. Bhuvaneswari tells you why you should hit the mat and how to go about it. 1. How does yoga help improve general wellbeing?  Yoga is about being in the present – being aware of one’s actions and taking charge of one’s body, breathing and mental fitness. The study of yoga can start by asanas, pranayama, reading yoga texts or by mindfulness. However we start, as we progress, we learn to appreciate the holistic nature…