Mental health:-

1.Food and mental health are correlated:

We learn early on that eating a healthy diet benefits our appearance and well-being. We don’t often realise how important a healthy diet is for our mental health. A well-balanced, nutritious diet can help us think more clearly and feel more alert. It also increases attention span and concentration.

A poor diet, on the other hand, can lead to fatigue, poor decision-making, and a delayed reaction time. A poor diet can aggravate and even cause stress and depression.

Certain foods can be detrimental to mental health in a variety of ways. Here are a couple of

2. Processed foods:

Processed foods are frequently high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, which can result in blood sugar spikes and crashes, resulting in mood swings and irritability. Furthermore, excessive sugar consumption has been linked to depression and anxiety. Sugar and processed foods can increase inflammation in the body and brain, potentially contributing to mood disorders like anxiety and depression.

When we are anxious or depressed, we frequently turn to processed foods for a quick pick-me-up. In times of stress, a cup of coffee replaces a full breakfast, and healthy fruits and vegetables replace high-fat, high-calorie fast food. When you’re down, a pint of ice cream turns into dinner.

3. Caffeine:

“Consuming too much caffeine can lead to feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and irritability,” says Dr. Rohini Patil, MBBS, Nutritionist, and CEO of Nutracy Lifestyle. It can also interfere with sleep, exacerbating feelings of anxiety and depression. Caffeine, a stimulant, disrupts the sleep cycle and makes you feel energised. Furthermore, it reduces the absorption of important vitamins that regulate mood. You should avoid energy drinks because they have the same amount of caffeine as 10 cans of Coke. The key is moderation, so choose your beverage wisely. Instead, try herbal teas such as peppermint, lavender, or lemon balm. These hot beverages are soothing and revitalising.”

4. Alcohol:Excessive alcohol consumption can cause depression and anxiety, as well as disrupt sleep quality. Alcohol consumption frequently causes sleep disruption and blood sugar spikes, especially when consumed on an empty stomach. Excessive alcohol consumption can result in dehydration and anxiety-inducing hangover symptoms. Hangover symptoms include dehydration, lack of sleep, a lack of B vitamins, and the alcohol detox process, all of which can cause anxiety and tension.

5. High-Fat Foods:

A diet high in saturated and trans fats can increase the risk of depression and anxiety. Saturated fats, such as those found in butter, high-fat dairy, and deli meats, can clog arteries and reduce blood flow to the brain, impairing its ability to perform optimally. The combination of these harmful fats and sugar is even worse

! According to studies, a diet high in added sugars and saturated fats is consistently associated with higher levels of anxiety.

6. Gluten:Gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, causes inflammation in the brain and has been linked to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety in some people. According to a large body of research, people who suffer from anxiety should consider eliminating or reducing their gluten intake to see if their symptoms improve. Gluten is a problem for people who have non-celiac sensitivity as well as celiac disease.

7. The takeaway:

“It’s important to note that while these foods may not cause mental health issues on their own, consuming them in excess or in large amounts can disrupt the balance of chemicals and hormones in our body, which can affect our mental well-being,” Dr. Patil advises. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can promote overall health and well-being while also lowering the risk of mental health problems.”

Increase in norovirus cases in the US and the UK- discover the signs to look for and how to avoid it

What is the norovirus and how can I prevent it?

The norovirus is a common virus that can cause stomach or intestinal irritation. Typically, it causes symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting. While it is not connected to the flu, it is often known as the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug.”

A person generally experiences symptoms 12 to 48 hours after exposure. The majority of folks will feel better after 1-3 days.

Who can get infected?

The number of reports of confirmed norovirus infections has dramatically increased, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). According to data from lab reports, the number of reports of the virus is 66% greater than it is typically at this time of year. Also, persons 65 years of age and older had the greatest rise in norovirus cases that were confirmed in labs. In the US, cases are also increasing. In the US, 17 percent of norovirus tests were positive as of February 4—a higher percentage than at any point in the previous season.

Who can get infected?

Anybody can contract the norovirus and become ill. Norovirus can spread by consumption of contaminated food or water in addition to direct contact with an infected individual. The illness can also develop as a result of touching contaminated surfaces and then putting unclean hands in your mouth.

Symptoms of norovirus

The following are the most typical norovirus symptoms:

Diarrhea \s Vomiting
Constipation and Nausea
The norovirus also causes fever, headaches, and bodily pains. It is crucial to speak with your doctor and not disregard these symptoms.

preventing norovirus

Simple hygiene precautions can help you avoid contracting the norovirus.

Be sure to properly wash your hands with soap and water. After changing a baby’s diaper or using the restroom, you should wash your hands. Before handling, preparing, or consuming food, be careful to wash your hands. Observe this before administering medication to anybody, including yourself.

The US CDC claims that hand sanitizer is ineffective against norovirus. Hence, it is always preferable to wash your hands. In addition, be sure to wash your clothing properly as well as sanitise and disinfect surfaces throughout your home.

Norovirus in India

The norovirus, a gastroenteritis infection, has been linked to two instances of class 1 kids in the Ernakulam district, according to the Kerala Health Department on January 24. When 62 patients experienced diarrhoea, stomach discomfort, vomiting, nausea, a high temperature, headache, and body pains, the samples were analysed.

What are 5 norovirus symptoms?

Common symptoms of noroviraus infection include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Less common symptoms can include low-grade fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms usually begin 1 or 2 days after ingesting the virus, but may appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.

How long does the noravirus bug last?

How long does the norovirus bug last?

Noroavirus, also called the “winter vomiting bug”, is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about 2 days.

How long does vomiting and diarrhea last?

How long diarrhoea and vomiting last. Diarrhoea caused by gastroenteritis usually starts to improve within 3 days but can last up to 7 days. Vomiting usually lasts 1 to 2 days. This is the same for both adults and children.

What causes sudden diarrhea?

The most common causes of acute and persistent diarrhea are infections, travelers’ diarrhea, and side effects of medicines. Viral infections. Many viruses cause diarrhea, including norovirus link and rotavirus link. Viral gastroenteritis is a common cause of acute diarrhea.

What foods are good for diarrhea?

BRAT stands for “bananas, rice, apples, toast.” These foods are bland, so they won’t aggravate the digestive system. They’re also binding, so they help firm up stool.

How do bananas stop diarrhea?

Loose movements frequently result from irregular digestion or are related to a contagious sickness, like a viral fever. Bananas’ potassium content will aid in restoring regular digestion. Because of the resistant starch in bananas, which aids in absorbing water and salt in the colon, your stools will be firmer.

Will Lemon stop loose motion?

One of the most popular and readily available treatments for loose movements is lemon juice. Lemon’s anti-inflammatory qualities help relieve gastrointestinal discomfort. In addition to reducing bloating and weakness, it restores the pH balance of the body that was lost as a result of loose movements.

Why do I feel weak after diarrhea?

Dehydration is the main contributor to weariness after diarrhoea. Important electrolytes and fluids are evacuated from your body during an episode of diarrhoea, which can cause dehydration.

By making the following 6 lifestyle changes, you can manage hypertension at home

Hypertension, another name for high blood pressure, is a frequent medical disorder when the blood pressure in the arteries is greater than it ought to be. It can cause major health issues like heart disease, stroke, and renal failure if left untreated. These are some recommendations for lowering high blood pressure:

The Many Forms Of Hypertension

Primary or essential hypertension and secondary hypertension are the two different forms of hypertension. The most prevalent kind of hypertension, primary hypertension, has no known aetiology. An underlying medical problem, such as renal disease or hormone imbalances, is what causes secondary hypertension.

Periodically check your blood pressure

Regular blood pressure checking is crucial for managing hypertnsion. Using a blood pressure monitor at home or seeing your doctor, you may check your blood pressure.

Hold On To A Healthy Weight

The chance of acquiring high blood pressure might rise if you are overweight or obese. You should follow a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and abstain from bad habits like smoking and binge drinking if you want to keep your weight in check.

Limit your salt intake
High salt intake might cause blood pressure to rise. Avoid processed meals and choose fresh fruits and vegetables to lower your salt consumption. You may flavour your cuisine by using herbs and spices as well.

What should you limit your salt intake?

Adults and teens age 14 and older need to limit their sodium intake to no more than 2,300 mg (milligrams) a day. Children ages 9 to 14 need no more than 1,800 mg of sodium a day. Children ages 4 to 8 need no more than 1,500 mg of sodium a day.

What foods reduce salt?

Fruits and Veggies
any fresh fruit, including bananas, apples, and oranges. any fresh veggies, including broccoli, carrots, and spinach. veggies that have been frozen without butter or sauce. You may rinse low-sodium or salt-free canned veggies to get some of the sodium out of them.

Exercise consistently
Blood pressure can be lowered and general health can be enhanced by regular exercise. On most days of the week, try to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.

Manage Stress

Stress may increase blood pressure, therefore it’s necessary to control it with methods like yoga, deep breathing, or meditation.

Use Prescription Drugs As Directed

Your doctor may recommend medication to assist decrease your blood pressure if lifestyle modifications are insufficient to control hypertenson. It’s crucial to follow your doctor’s instructions while taking medicine and to do so on a regular basis.
You can control high blood pressure and lower your chance of developing significant health issues by implementing these suggestions.

What is the 4 stage of hypertension?

The systolic and diastolic blood pressures must both be at least 160 mm Hg. A person’s hypertension would be considered severe at this point. As a result, a two-drug regimen would probably be suggested to them in an effort to lower their blood pressure.

Can lack of sleep cause high blood pressure?

Heart disease and excessive blood pressure are connected to insomnia. Insufficient sleep over time can also result in bad behaviours that are bad for your heart, such as greater stress levels, less drive to exercise, and unhealthy eating choices.

What position is best for lowering blood pressure?

Results: As compared to sitting, lying flat, and lying flat with the legs crossed, standing had a tendency to lower blood pressure. As compared to other postures, supine had the highest systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

These are 8 wholesome veggies that can help lower your body’s high cholesterol as part of a diet for high cholesterol

High Cholesterol Tips: These might be helpful or harmful. Your body’s fatty molecules are what your cells require to function. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, sometimes known as “bad cholesterol,” carries a lot of cholesterol in the blood, which is generally referred to as having high cholesterol. Your chance of developing atherosclerosis, a disorder in which plaques made of white blood cells, calcium, and deposits of cholesterol accumulate in the walls of the arteries, is increased by high LDL levels. Uncontrolled cholesterol may result in consequences including atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke.

Read Also: High Cholesterol: 5 Simple, Healthful Ways to Reduce Your Levels

Controlling Cholesterol: Does Ginger and Garlic Lower Cholesterol? Expert Responses

Controlling Cholesterol: Can Eating Dark Chocolate Help Lower Cholesterol? Expert’s Opinion

In order to effectively control your cholesterol, eating is crucial. Vegetables or meals derived from plants, on the other hand, are free of cholesterol and low in saturated fat. They are also high in soluble fibre, which can help decrease cholesterol. Eight healthful veggies are recommended by Dr. Suman Bhandari, Consultant – Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Escorts, Okhla, New Delhi, to assist lower the body’s excessive cholesterol levels.

7 Healthy Vegetables to Lower Bad Cholesterol Levels

Avocados: High in monounsaturated fat and a cholesterol-lowering food. Include fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin e in your diet as well.

What is the benefit of avocado?

Avocados are high in fat with 60 per cent of this being monounsaturated fats, which research suggests helps to protect against heart disease and lower blood pressure. They are also an excellent source of potassium, folate and fibre, all of which benefit the heart and cardiovascular system.

Legumes :Beans, peas, and lentils are examples of plant foods known as legumes. Consuming up to 100 grammes of beans per day can reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol by up to 6.6 mg/dl and help with weight loss.

Which foods are legumes?

Legumes like beans, peas, and lentils are some of the healthiest and most adaptable meals out there. Typically, legumes have low fat content and high levels of fibre, folate, potassium, iron, and magnesium. Meat, which has more fat and cholesterol, may be replaced with beans and other legumes and still be nutritious.

Plant sterol:enriched margarine helps lower LDL cholesterol by preventing the absorption of cholesterol.

What foods are high in plant sterols?

Foods with Plant Sterols:

Sesame oil, wheat germ oil, mayonnaise, pistachio nuts, olive oil, sage, oregano, thyme, paprika, cocoa butter oil, almond butter, sesame seeds, macadamia nuts.

What are plant sterols examples?

Plants include vegetables, fruits, wheat germ, whole grains, beans, sunflower seeds, and many vegetable oils contain plant sterols. LDL-C, or “bad” cholesterol, can be decreased with the use of plant sterols. The risk of heart disease might rise if your LDL-C level is high.

Garlic: By preventing the development of LDL, garlic helps decrease chalesterol. Moreover, it contains allicin, which lowers LDL. Raw or minimally cooked consumption is said to be optimal.

Vegetable oils: Canola, sunflower, saffola, and other vegetable oils can be used in place of ghee to decrease cholesterol. Olive oil also has antioxidant qualities and lowers cholesterol. According to a research, 4 tablespoons per day can lower cardiac events by 30%.

Is olive oil considered a vegetable oil?

While some people might mistakenly think of olive oil as a vegetable oil since it comes from plants, it actually comes from the olive fruit! In its most basic form, olive oil is just olive juice. Olive oil is produced using a totally different procedure than vegetable oil.

What can I use instead of vegetable oil?

You can use another neutral high-heat oil in its place if you don’t have any vegetable oil on hand. Great options are canola, safflower, peanut, or grapeseed oils. Versions that have undergone refinement are capable of reaching even greater temperatures. If you’re unclear about what you have, look at the label.

Whole grain, oats, barley, jowar : Oats, barley, and jowar are whole grains whose soluble fibres, which contain beta glucan, reduce the risk of heart disease. Heart disease and stroke risk can be reduced by 20% with 3 servings of whole grains per day.

Soya beans: Consuming tofu, soy milk, and other foods derived from soy beans can reduce LDL cholesterol by 5% to 6%. Isoflavones, compounds derived from plants that decrease cholesterol, are to blame for this.

Is my heart OK if ECG is normal?

You may have a perfectly normal ECG, yet still have a heart condition. If your test is normal but your doctor suspects that you have a heart problem, he may recommend that you have another ECG, or a different type of test to find out for sure

Can ECG detect blockage?

An ECG may be used by a medical professional to identify or detect: Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias); If heart artery disease (coronary artery disease) is the cause of chest discomfort or a heart attack;

What is the best test to check for heart problems?

A coronary angiogram is a type of X-ray used to examine the coronary arteries supplying blood to your heart muscle. It’s considered to be the best method of diagnosing coronary artery disease – conditions that affect the arteries surrounding the heart

Can heart problems be cured?

Although there is no known cure for coronary heart disease, medication can help control the symptoms and lower the risk of complications like heart attacks. Changes in lifestyle, such as regular exercise and quitting smoking, are among the possible treatments. medicines

What decreases heart disease?

Eat more fresh produce and fewer processed meals, and be sure you eat plenty of it. Heart disease may be exacerbated by eating a lot of meals high in saturated and trans fats. Consuming meals low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesteral yet high in fibre can help lower cholesterol.

How can I make my heart strong?

Aerobic Exercise
What it does: Aerobic exercise improves circulation, which results in lowered blood pressure and heart rate, Stewart says.
How much: Ideally, at least 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week.
Examples: Brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis and jumping rope.

How can I check my heart for blockage at home?

Official response. If you have a blood pressure monitor, you may check for heart disease at home by taking your pulse and blood pressure. You may keep an eye out for signs of heart illness such as tightness in the chest, pressure in the chest, or pain in the chest.