Why is digestive health important?

Digestion involves the breakdown of the food consumed by us, to release energy and nutrients. If the digestive system does not work properly, it affects the nutrition and functioning of the entire body.
Here are some simple tips for optimizing your digestive health:

1) Chew it!
Remember to chew your food slowly and very thoroughly (roughly 32 times per mouthful), as this is the first and most important step in the digestive process where saliva breaks down the food. Don’t eat in haste- take at least 20 minutes to complete your meal.

2) Exercise your gut!
Include dietary fiber in your meals at least 25-30g/day. Fiber comes in two forms:

Soluble- Gets dissolved in water and takes on a gel like form. Basically acts like a sponge to absorb excess water as in diarrhea, and also absorbs some harmful by products left over from digestion in the intestines. Fruits, most vegetables, sprouted legumes, oats and oatmeal, peas, barley and psyllium are all good sources.

Insoluble- Known as roughage or bulk, it passes largely unchanged through the system and helps to prevent constipation by encouraging bowel movement. Generous sources are whole wheat flour, whole cereals, pulses, nuts and flaxseeds.

Together, soluble and insoluble fibers condition your intestinal muscles and keep them healthy.

3) Drink more ……… water!
Drink at least 1 liter of water for every 20 kilos of your body weight. Water keeps you hydrated, helps in the breakdown of food, carries nutrients to all parts of the body and also aids in excreting waste. Try to have more juices, soups and buttermilk rather than caffeine containing beverages like coffee and colas, and avoid alcohol.

4) Build raw power!
You can benefit most by consuming fresh fruits and vegetables in their raw form. Cooking food destroys many heat labile nutrients and changes the properties of the food. Thus, try to have these nutrient packed colorful fruits and veggies raw or slightly steamed. If you are bored of eating salad, try juicing. Various juice combinations will keep you energized and fit.

5) Spot the allergens!
Food allergies can develop at any age. Try and identify foods which you may be allergic/intolerant to. Reducing or eliminating foods that irritate your system will help to prevent distress and digestive problems.

6) Go Pro!
Probiotics or ‘good bacteria’ help to increase the body’s immunity and are helpful in the treatment of diarrhea, gastroenteritis and other such conditions. These helpful bacteria are available through live cultures in yoghurt, buttermilk, kefir and other dairy products to name a few. Inclusion of these foods as part of your regular diet may also help treat some food allergies.

Sticking to a regular exercise regime is also crucial to digestive health. Other remedies such as herbal bitters, digestive enzymes and vitamin supplements must only be taken with the advice of your local health practitioner.

What are Pimples? Acne, or pimples, are the most common of skin problems, affecting almost everyone. In fact, acne can appear at any age, albeit it is more common among teenagers and young adults. Pimples are caused when the pores in the skin, particularly, oil glands, become clogged. The most common types of pimples are whiteheads (pimples formed beneath the surface of the skin), blackheads (dark looking pimples that appear on the surface of the skin), papules (small red bumps that are sore to touch), pustules (red bumps that are visibly filled with pus), nodules (deep-rooted pimples that are large and hard), and cysts (large and painful pimples).

Symptoms and Causes: Whiteheads and blackheads are common among most individuals, owing to the pollution in the environment. However, some of the other signs of an acne outbreak are as follows: pain or soreness, accumulation of pus, extreme redness, and scarring. The most obvious cause of a pimple is the clogging of the skin’s pores. However, hormones, genetics, medication, and cosmetic products are also known to play a major role in the appearance of acne.

Home remedies: Natural and home remedies are sometimes the best option for skin problems; this is because these have minimal adverse side-effects. Below are some of the most common home remedies used for the treatment of pimples.

Vitamins are considered to be extremely effective in combating acne. In particular, the inclusion of niacin (Vitamin B3), vitamin A, and vitamin E in one’s diet can help in curing acne. These vitamins can be consumed orally in the form of supplements, or better still, in the form of fresh vegetables and fruit.

Fenugreek makes for an ideal overnight face-pack in the fight against pimples. Apply the paste at bedtime and leave it on over night; you can wash it off in the morning with warm water. In particular, fenugreek is extremely useful in the removal of blackheads.

Often thrown away with the garbage, orange peels are one the most effective natural cures for pimples. Apply a paste of the peels mixed with water to the affected areas; wash off after 30 minutes.

Coriander juice mixed with turmeric powder forms another effective face-pack. It can be applied at bedtime, after thoroughly cleansing the face. You can also use mint juice in place of coriander juice.

Garlic is known for its anti-bacterial properties and is used in most home remedies for skin problems and infections. You can either eat three cloves of garlic daily, or apply fresh garlic on the affected area.

Cucumber and lemon are also good for pimple treatment. While cucumber can be applied as a face-pack, lemon juice can be applied as an astringent.

What is Eczema? Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a term that is used to refer to all types of persistent skin inflammations. While there are many types of eczema, the most prevalent type is atopic dermatitis.

What Causes Eczema? While the doctors are still unsure about the cause of eczema, abnormalities in the immune system are regarded as the underlying factor. Invariably, eczema is the result of an allergic reaction caused when certain substances such as cosmetics, soaps, clothing, or jewelry come in contact with the skin. Moreover, allergens in the environment can also result in eczema. Other known factors are temperature or humidity changes and stress.

What are the Symptoms of Eczema? In most cases eczema results in red patchy skin; the skin feels dry and inflamed. Although eczema manifests differently among people, depending on their skin type, it invariably results in itching and burning. At times, the skin can also become sore, resulting in the formation of blisters and lesions. Eczema can affect any part of the body; however, the most susceptible regions are the face, neck, ankles, knee pits, and elbow bits.

Home Remedies: While most cases of eczema are mild and the symptoms last only a few days, in other cases, it can be severe and require medical attention. Below, are some of the common home remedies used to treat mild cases of eczema and soothe the skin.A mixture of basil leaves and garlic cloves, ground together with some olive oil, salt and pepper, makes for an excellent application paste. It can be applied on the affected area to soothe soreness and treat the inflammation. You can also use only the juice of basil leaves to soothe affected areas. Another excellent remedy for eczema is witch hazel. Use a cotton swab to apply it evenly on the affected area. Watermelon peels are also an excellent option for treating eczema; dab the affected area with the peel.

Garlic and honey are also good for eczema. A mixture of the two can be applied to the affected area and left over night. Ensure that you bandage the area with a nylon cloth and wash off in the morning with alcohol. Avoid washing with water altogether.

Drinking half a cup of water mixed with half a spoon of turmeric powder helps to fight infection and flushes out the toxins in the body. Eating pesto sauce has also been known to be effective against eczema.

Walnut leaves work best as a bath soak. Add them to your bath water and simply sit in the tub. If your feet are affected, simply soak them in hot water mixed with vinegar. Do this twice a day for twenty minutes to soothe and restore the skin.

What is Dandruff? There are many myths and fallacies surrounding dandruff, one of the most common conditions of the scalp that affects human beings. Dandruff is caused due to excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. Those irritating, white flaky pieces that are visible on your hair and your clothes are actually dead skin cells. While it is normal for a certain amount of skin cells to die and be renewed, when the loss is excessive, it is referred to as dandruff.

What Causes Dandruff? The most common cause of dandruff is an excess of oil, or sebum, in the scalp. It may also be caused due to the presence of the metabolic byproducts of certain microorganisms that live on the scalp. Excessive dryness of the scalp may also result in dandruff.

What are my Options for Curing Dandruff? There are a number of ways in which you can control dandruff. There are many anti-dandruff shampoos that contain zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid, or coal tar. There are also a number of natural home remedies that can be used to treat dandruff. These are inexpensive, and comparatively safer, as there are reduced chances of side effects.

Home Remedies for Dandruff. Vinegar is an excellent home remedy for dandruff. Mix two tablespoons of vinegar into six tablespoons of hot water. Apply this mixture to your scalp and keep on overnight. You might want to wrap a cloth or wear a sleeping cap as the mixture could end up leaving some nasty stains on your pillow. When you wake up in the morning, rinse your hair thoroughly. Performing this routine twice a week will help to keep dandruff at bay.

Lemon juice is also widely used as a home remedy to treat dandruff. The next time you’re washing your hair, add a teaspoon or two of freshly squeezed lemon juice to your scalp and then wash off. This not only helps in the treatment of dandruff but can also be used to treat head lice.

Curd not only tastes good but can also be used to render your scalp dandruff free. However, you will first need to ferment the curd for two to three days. Apply this fermented curd to your scalp and allow it to dry. Rinse off with water. This may not be the most pleasant smelling herbal remedy, but it works like a charm on dandruff.