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Gilead Sciences has authorized several generic drug companies in India to sell its $1,000-a-day Hepatitis C pill for a fraction of the price in developing countries like Honduras, Vietnam and South Africa. It signed licensing deals with seven generic pharmaceutical companies that make drugs in India, including Ranbaxy, Cipla and Mylan to sell generic versions of Sovaldi in 91 developing countries. http://online.wsj.com/articles/gilead-to-allow-cheaper-hepatitis-c-drug-1410779963

Make the right choices with tips from nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju. 1. I love stir-fried vegetables with oyster sauce or garlic sauce. But I am trying to cut down on my salt intake. Which one is healthier? Unfortunately both are loaded with sodium. 1 tsp of oyster sauce contains 345mg sodium. And garlic sauce is made with oyster sauce, too! So, your best option when dining out is to ask for stir-fried veggies with fresh garlic and less salt (no sauce). When cooking…

Meaning :  Shav is corpse; asana is posture. The name reflects the posture of a dead body. Benefits of Shavasana 1. This practice is for complete physical and mental relaxation. 2. It brings great psycho-physiological coordination. 3. Releases stiffness and fatigue, enhancing relaxation of the body. 4. Helps reduce stress, anxiety, depression, confusion, insomnia, dementia, etc. 5. Improves breathing and awareness, both internally and externally. 6. Good for all disorders related to stress…

About 35% of the Asian adult population suffers from hypertension or High Blood Pressure.  Hypertension raises risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. However, simple dietary awareness and measures, like following the DASH diet, can help control as well as prevent its risks. By Ujjwala Baxi, dietitian and diabetes educator DASH diet, i.e. Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension, comprises foods that are higher on nutrients like calcium, potassium, magnesium…

Nadishodhan  (Alternate Nostril breathing) Meaning Nadi refers to invisible energy tubes in the body. Shodhan means to purify. This Pranayama purifies the network of the psyche, according to Yogic philosophy. Benefits of Nadishodhan Pranayama 1. It is a very effective pranayama (breathing technique) for managing hypertension, anxiety, stress, high blood pressure, heart disease, dementia, insomnia, etc. 2. It calms the mind / thoughts and brings tranquillity. 3. Cleans the blockages in…

Fareed speaks with CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta about recent research on the risks of high sugar consumption.  "I think there's two issues here. One is that fat doesn't get a free pass here. There's still some problems with it. It still raises cholesterol levels. That is associated with heart disease. The problem is that what we replaced fat with was sugar. And sugar may be more problematic, in some ways, for someone who's worried about heart disease than fat." See the full…

Meaning Ushtra is camel, asana means posture. The name reflects the spinal curvature of a camel. Benefits of Ushtrasana 1. Ushtrasana opens the chest and is good for toning organs in this region. 2. Very helpful for asthmatic patients as it makes breathing easier. Improves the capacity of the lungs. 3. Good for heart patients as the pose strengthens the heart muscles. 4. Good practice for spinal flexibility. It loosens up the vertebrae and stimulates the spinal nerves. 5. Relieves back…

Dr Gita Mathai , a paediatrician and family practitioner, tells us what may be lurking in fruits and vegetables and how to minimise the risk. Green, red, yellow, purple... the vegetable and fruits section of your supermarket beckons with its shiny products promising health and wellbeing. But could you be taking in more than vitamins and micronutrients with your four to six servings of fruits and vegetables a day? Here’s what you could be eating as well: Pesticides Why is…

Urdhwahastottansana opens up the chest, improves blood circulation around the thoracic area and the heart and is beneficial for respiratory disorders, hypertension and heart problems Meaning Urdhwa means upward, hasta is hands, uttana is stretching and asana is posture. Benefits of Urdhwahastottansana 1. This asana stretches both sides of the body, so it massages, loosens and exercises the sides of the ribcage and the waist 2. Opens up the chest 3. Improves blood circulation around the…

Meaning Breath regulation (Pranayama) with the humming sound of the bee (Bhramara means bee, thus the sound created by the bee is bhramari). Benefits of Bhramari Pranayama 1. Bhramari is a stress-buster, helping in alleviating stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, high blood pressure, anger etc. The practice is helpful in tackling all psychosomatic disorders. 2. One immediately experiences tranquillity and peace of mind after performing this Pranayama. 3. It relieves cerebral tension and has a…