ARTICLES ON General Health

A highly sensitive person (HSP) is a term for those who are thought to have increased or deeper central nervous system sensitivity to physical, emotional, or social stimuli Are you a highly sensitive person? or Do you know someone in your personal or professional life who are highly sensitive?  Well, High sensitivity can be defined as acute mental, physical, and emotional responses to external (social, environmental) or internal (intra-personal) stimuli. A highly sensitive person can be an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between. A highly sensitive person (HSP) is a term for those who are thought to have increased or deeper central nervous system sensitivity to physical, emotional, or social stimuli. Some refer to this as having sensory processing sensitivity or SPS as a short form. Though there are many positive aspects of being a sensitive person like a greater ability to listen and having a greater empathy or intuitiveness and better understanding of others but high sensitivity also adversely affects one’s health, happiness, and success, and often complicates relationships.  According to Dr. Sonal Anand who is a Psychiatrist in Wockhardt Hospital at Mira Road, Mumbai, Being highly sensitive can be a combination of your genetics and the environmental factors that play a big role. Like if you have a parent who is quite sensitive, the chances of you getting sensitive increases. It also depends on the kind of person that you have become like the experiences that you get or how you are brought up and the values you have learned can determine the sensitivity in you. By the age of 17 to 18, 95% of your personality is developed.   “Well, being sensitive for few things is fine, like regarding your partner or spouse or relationship and family member as it can make your relationship better but sometimes being overly sensitive can lead to anxiety disorders and depression. This is the most common cause of depression, most of my patients who are in depression often say that they are very sensitive or little things upsets them a lot,” she said. “If feel that you can’t handle a situation or you are having anxiety or you are into depression, then you must visit your therapist for help. However, self-care and building your confidence matters a lot, while taking therapies can help you too. Moreover, self-help can be great for you, like you can identify which things make you more disturbed and you can work on it,” she added. While many people may experience some of these signs from time to time, a highly sensitive person will likely “feel too much” and “feel too deep.” Some individuals may be highly sensitive to just one or two stimuli, while others may be strongly affected by more on the list. Highly sensitive people are most of the times are described as being “too sensitive” and it is considered as a personality trait in people. These terms were first coined by psychologists Elaine Aron and Arthur Aron in the mid-1990s and interest in the concept has continued to grow tremendously since then. Anyone could be an HSP, whether a man or woman, adult or child. A high sensitive person has a more sensitive central nervous system, making them highly attuned to physical, emotional, or social stimuli than others. How Do You Know? High sensitivity is a personality trait that involves increased responsiveness to both positive and negative influence.  But it is important to remember that being an HSP does not mean that you have a diagnosable condition. This applies to a few different categories  There are several traits or characteristics common to HSPs, according to the researchers who identified this personality trait: However, HSPs experience higher levels of stress than others, and research has found they are also more prone to burnouts because they get easily overwhelmed. While, the lack of awareness of the trait can make dealing with hypersensitivity challenging for a lot of HSPs.

From a jadu ki jhappi to intimate cuddling — there’s just something about holding someone closely that’s oh-so-comforting! You might not be someone who loves cuddling, but trust us, the power of touch can’t be undermined at all! Even doctors believe that it not just promotes healing, but there are several other health benefits that you get when you cuddle. According to psychiatrist, Dr Rahul Khemani from Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai, touch is the first sensation we learn about. It develops way before we develop vision, or even learn to speak. Cuddling is also a form of communication. Skin-to-skin contact has been encouraged after child birth to strengthen the mother-child relationship. And the impression of this memory stays with us for the rest of our lives. “Hence, it isn’t surprising that cuddling, or physical contact with someone you love has an impact on your physical and mental well-being,” he says. 1. It releases love hormones When you cuddle, your body releases more oxytocin, or the ‘love hormone’. This doesn’t happen even when you do something that otherwise makes you happy, be it cooking, cleaning or listening to music, etc. 2. Cuddling builds better bonding “More oxytocin in your body means more bonding. And by bonding, I mean being in sync with the other person emotionally,” says Dr Khemani. 3. Cuddling keeps you calm When someone hugs, you instantly feel a sense of calm. That’s because cuddling or hugging lowers stress by releasing oxytocin, which is a natural anti-anxiety medication. “It also gives us a break from our otherwise hectic and busy schedules. Touch soothes us, makes us feel safe and secure. It makes us feel loved and comforted,” he suggests. 4. It reduces stress “When your stress levels are lower, you find it easy to sleep, and cuddling is a great way to do that. Your serotonin levels get a boost too, with cuddling. This in turn makes you feel good about yourself and can be immensely beneficial when you find yourself in a negative headspace,” he recommends. So, if you are having a real stressful day then just cuddle it away. 5. Cuddling build sexual intimacy Snuggling into each other’s arms and touching not just helps you bond with your partner, but it also restores that spark between you two that improves your sexual relationship, and makes you comfortable with intimacy. It’s like the first step towards getting physical. 6. Cuddling regulates heart rate “If you want good heart health, then you must cuddle. Also, when someone is angry or emotionally charged, then their heart rate shoots up. A cuddle can lower it down to an optimum level. “When you are in close contact with your partner, you unconsciously pick on their body rhythms. Cuddling can help you sync your partner’s breathing with yours, even when they start getting anxious or hyperventilating,” he explains. 7. It relieves pain Oxytocin also helps in soothing pain. That’s why touch therapy is recommended when you experience mental or physical discomfort. It makes you feel needed, and shows someone is there during your lows. This brings emotional satisfaction and a sense of comfort, due to which oxytocin is released in the body to ease out pain. The last word “We need to understand that little things like cuddling make a whole lot of difference. Touch is an integral part of the human experience, and will remain so throughout our lives. A lot of what we do is determined by the sensation of touch. With this pandemic and physical distancing, it has become even more important to gather those oxytocin molecules by cuddling with someone you love. And if you don’t have a person to cuddle with, get yourself a pet! Snuggling with a pet brings equal amounts of happiness,” he concludes. So when Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory can approve of cuddling — what’s the deal with you peeps? The moral of the story is: even if you hate being a snuggler, do it for the sake of your well-being! Source: https://www.healthshots.com/mind/happiness-hacks/here-are-the-7-surprising-health-benefits-of-cuddling/

From uplifting your mood to easing out pain, crying once in a blue moon can benefit you in many ways. Hear it from a psychiatrist. Have you ever come across this phrase: “No use crying over spilt milk”? But, the point is why not? What’s the harm in crying? Because we have got proof that if you’re feeling down and out, then crying can actually help you in so many ways! Stunned? Well, who wouldn’t be? But it’s a fact that crying helps you release a range of emotions, and that’s a good thing. According to experts, it is a natural human response to any emotion – that’s why we get happy tears too. According to Dr. Sonal Anand, a psychiatrist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai, it is also an evolution that plays its role. When a child cries, s/he cries for attention or help. Similarly, crying also becomes a non-verbal way to communicate to the other person that you’re seeking support.    How does crying help you relax? Let’s hear it from an expert “When u are stressed, cortisol or ‘stress hormones’ are released in your body. This amps up your emotions, which trigger your tear ducts as well. When you are high on emotion, then along with your tears, protein and stress hormones are also released. This happens especially when you are angry or stressed.” She explained. She continues, “There is a release of leucine enkephalins which are nothing but endorphins. This helps in relieving pain and boosting your mood simultaneously. After that, your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) takes over and signals the body that everything is fine, and makes you feel relaxed.” Crying also helps to restore your emotional balance Dr Anand explains that we don’t cry, when we are just sad. We also cry when we are way too happy or anxious. This majorly happens because we are all high on emotions. At that time, your body responds by crying, so that the tsunami of emotions can be controlled and restored back to normal. “A good crying session can actually make you feel lighter and better. It soothes your mind and that’s why most of us feel like sleeping after crying, because stressors are released from the body and your mind feels much calmer”, she said. She concluded, “But we need to watch out if you or anyone you know cries at the drop of a hat. This is because it can signal mental distress, and sometimes such cases need medical intervention because too much crying is alarming.” So, the next time someone calls you weak or judges you for crying – don’t pay heed to it, because it’s all for the sake of your own mental peace. Source: https://www.healthshots.com/mind/happiness-hacks/heres-why-a-good-cry-is-beneficial-for-you/

Our emotions aren’t futile. They have a huge impact on our overall well-being. One such emotion is grief. Grieving is always counted as a single unit, but it is multifaceted. It comes with pain – both physical and mental. That’s why it becomes all the more important to understand this emotion to tackle it better. One of the biggest reasons for grief is the loss of a near and dear one. Dr. Sonal Anand, a psychiatrist from Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai suggests that grief comes with a purpose i.e. to serve our emotional health, and is essential for us to adapt to our new life circumstances. “Grief is an important emotional and cultural aspect of human evolution. Unfortunately, in some cases, grieving can become prolonged and cause immense distress leading to pathological grief which is an altered mental state requiring treatment”, she says. Here are the five ways recommended by Dr. Anand, which explains how grief affects our body: 1. Grief Increases Stress Hormones Any kind of stress causes the release of cortisol, and the flight or fight response makes react in different ways — whether it is a faster heart beat, increase in blood pressure, dilatation of pupils, increased breathing, or certain endocrine changes. “The body can adapt to all these changes for a short while, but chronic exposure to such situations comes with its own set of problems. Chronic hyperdrive predisposes to the metabolic syndrome conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, mental disorders”, she says. 2. Grief Can Lead to Sleep Disorders, Body Ache, and Nagging Headaches Grieving way too much can numb the body, and give rise to sleeping problems. Stress hormones released in the body keeps it awake. The diurnal variation can become a problem too. “Some people have inverted sleep problems where they sleep in the day and remain awake at night. A few people may have hypersomnia, where they suffer from excess sleeping issues, which can last for a few days. This is a kind of defense mechanism to avoid dealing with the situation”, she explains. Dr Anand suggests that body aches are also seen in people, due to the constant release of cortisol. Muscle is also experienced by some people. “New-onset headaches can be seen or rise in frequency of migraines is also common”, she cautioned. 3. It Can Also Lead to Eating Disorders Grieving can alter your appetite to a large extent. Physical needs are left behind due to the trauma of grief. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and irritable bowels could be the changes seen in the gastrointestinal system. Some people could go through stress eating or binge eating and find comfort in eating. Weight loss or weight gain, nutritional deficiencies are the after-effects. 4. Grieving Can Decrease Immunity We all know how immunity has become a buzzword these days, but grief can make you compromise on that too. “Stress triggered by grief causes inflammation in the body and weakens the immune system. It also causes direct changes in the blood indices, which can lead to a weakened immune system. This predisposes to other infectious or worsens any ongoing inflammation”, she explains. 5. It also Impacts the Functioning of the Brain “Anxiety and panic are physical signs that you experience while grieving. There may be a complete denial of death initially, but as the grieving continues acceptance comes in gradually. Feeling sad comes in waves, and between these spurts, opportunities to be consoled are accepted. Some people feel a strong urge towards alcohol, smoking, or even drugs for relief. However one must realize that these high-risk behaviors are detrimental. Self-harm ideation can also become a coping mechanism”, she says. Not just that but she said that there is a sudden drop in the concentration levels of the person. Too many thoughts run in their head, flashes of old memories or traumatic events are seen over and over again. “Crying is a physical response, and can actually relieve the body of excess pressure. Having a few emotional changes are bound to happen during normal grieving. Help must be sought if grieving is leading to depression or too many physical problems, or the inability to cope”, she concludes. The bottom line is that even though grieving and crying your heart out can make you feel lighter and better if it is prolonged it can mess up with your head and health. So, watch out for all these signs and don’t get trapped.

The practice of yoga needs no introduction. It has been a way of living for generations, largely for its various health benefits. And there’s nothing that yoga can’t do for you. That’s why it is our go-to solution for anything and everything! One of the practices of yoga, anulom vilom, also known as alternate nostril breathing, is one of the most beneficial breathing exercises. Let’s look at some of the benefits of anulom vilom: Boosts the respiratory system: A study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine found that alternative breathing practices can improve the functioning of the lungs. Further, it strengthens the lungs and improves any respiratory issues, such as asthma or chest infection. Improves digestion: Controlled breathing helps in better blood and oxygen flow in the body, which can help you with any stomach-related infections or even constipation. It also helps to improve the functioning of your digestive system. Reduces stress: As we all know, any kind of exercise or physical activity helps to reduce cortisol levels, and this is true in the case of anulom vilom too! Researchers from a study published in the Journal of Indian Medical Association found that participants who performed anulom vilom showed improvement in anxiety levels, as compared to those who practiced suryanamaskar. Minimises snoring: Controlled breathing in anulom vilom helps to remove any kind of blockages present in your nostrils and allows smooth and constant passage of oxygen. This ensures that issues such as snoring are subsequently reduced. Maintains a healthy heart: Anulom vilom helps in purifying blood with better oxygen supply and removing any blockages. This, in turn, helps in regulating high blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of any heart disease. These benefits of anulom vilom make it one of the simplest breathing practices you can add to your daily routine. What is Anulom Vilom Pranayama? One particular kind of pranayama, or regulated breathing in yoga, is called Anulom Vilom. It’s also known as alternate nostril breathing. You breathe in through one of your nostrils and breathe out through the other, switching back and forth. The idea is that this breath control, in a rhythmic fashion, balances the two hemispheres of the brain, improves focus, and makes you overall feel better. Practitioners believe it cleanses the energy channels, or Nadis, promoting optimal life force circulation. Anulom Vilom is well known for promoting respiratory health, lowering tension, and soothing the psyche. Anulom Vilom breathing is safe and risk-free for most individuals to practice. How is Anulom Vilom Pranayama Performed?When you do Anulom Vilom Pranayama, sit in a comfortable position with your spine erect. The following are the steps to take to get the full benefits of Anulom Vilom:  Empty your mind of all thoughts that are not concerned with this moment. Put your outside wrists on your knees first. Fold your index and middle fingers into your hand with your right hand. Place your ring finger on your left nostril and your thumb on your right nostril. Now breathe in through your left nostril slowly until your lungs are filled up completely. Pay attention to your breathing. Remove your thumb from your nostril and block the left nostril with your ring finger. Breathe out slowly through your right nostril. Now do the same thing but in reverse, by breathing in through your right nostril and breathing out through your left nostril. Keep repeating the procedure alternately. Start by doing this for a minute or two. When you do it for the first time, it could feel a little weird, so only do it when you’re comfortable. Who Can Benefit from Anulom Vilom?One of the loveliest things about this practice is how welcoming it is. You don’t need to be flexible, fit, or experienced in yoga to begin. If you can sit down and breathe, you can do Anulom Vilom. That makes it a gentle option for almost anyone looking to feel a little calmer and a little more balanced in their day. People often find it especially helpful during stressful patches of life, such as before an important meeting, after a long day, or on nights when the mind simply won’t switch off. Because it asks nothing of your body but a comfortable seat and a few quiet minutes, it fits just as easily into a busy office break as it does into a slow Sunday morning. It can be a kind companion for: People carrying everyday stress: If your shoulders live somewhere near your ears by evening, a few rounds of slow alternate nostril breathing can help your nervous system shift out of “always on” mode. Those who struggle to focus: Students, working professionals, and anyone whose attention scatters may notice the mind feels a touch steadier afterward. Anyone chasing better sleep: Practised gently in the evening, it can help ease the day’s tension so you settle into rest more comfortably. People easing into a wellness routine: If bigger workouts feel daunting, this is a soft, encouraging place to start caring for yourself. If you live with a heart condition, breathing difficulty, or you’re pregnant, it’s always wise to check with your doctor first. Anulom Vilom is gentle, but your safety and comfort come before everything else. How to Get the Most Out of Your PracticeLike anything worth doing, Anulom Vilom rewards patience far more than force. You don’t need to master it overnight; you just need to show up for it, a little at a time. Here are some warm, practical pointers to help you settle into a practice that actually sticks. Keep your breath soft. It can be tempting to pull in as much air as possible, but this isn’t about big, dramatic breaths. Let each inhale and exhale flow slowly and quietly. If your breathing feels strained or noisy, ease off; gentle is exactly right. Pick a time that suits your life. Early mornings are traditional and lovely, but the best time is honestly whenever you’ll actually do it. A calm five minutes

Healthy snacks like raisins aka kishmish ought to be consumed as it’s a nutritious super-food. Almonds and walnuts are among the many yummy snacks provided to us by mom nature which we are able to devour guilt-free. Raisins are dried grapes that are stuffed with a number of vitamins similar to nutritional vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and plenty of different dietary fibers.  For all those that are well-being acutely aware, raisins are greatest appropriate for his or her food regimen. Following are their well-being advantages: “Raisins provide relief from constipation as well as other gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc,” mentioned Amreen Shaikh, forward nutritionist from Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai. “Raisins also have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties that help to reduce the risk of various infections”, defined Ms. Shaikh. “Antioxidants like vitamin C and polyphenols are anti-inflammatory in nature, which relieves pain and inflammation associated with gout and arthritis”, says head dietician Shaikh. Source: https://breakingnews4all.xyz/2020/10/18/multiple-well-being-advantages-of-consuming-vitamins-similar-to-raisins/

Are you stressed owing to your personal or professional life? Then, start walking every day! Did you know walking can help you set all your worries free? Walking has an insane number of benefits. Yes, you heard it right! Walking is good for your joint health, heart, and can can reduce stress and anxiety. Moreover, it soothes your nerves, enhances your mood, and keeps you active and positive for the rest of the day. Just wear your walking shoes and go for a walk in the nearby park/ ground. You will feel better and stress-free! Walking is an equipment-free activity and one of the best exercises for staying hale and hearty. In the morning, the air is fresh as the pollution levels are at their lowest. Along with other gases, fresh air has a good amount of oxygen. When you inhale oxygen, it is delivered to your cells, which utilise it to carry out all the functions. When your body functions properly, you will be able to keep various health ailments like heart disease at bay. Not only this, but walking also helps you battle the bulge, tones your body, and lead a stress-free life by reducing tensions, depression, and anxiety.  It Can Help You To Relieve Depression Do you know that going for a stroll can help you to de-stress and relieve depression? When one walks, natural pain-killing endorphins flow properly throughout the body. It Can Be Calming For Your Brain Various studies suggest that walking in green spaces can allow your brain to a calm state with little or no signs of anxiety. This is so because walking gives you some me-time when you can just introspect what is happening around you. You will be able to rejuvenate and manage stress. Walking Outdoors Can Help You Stay Stress-Free If done outdoors, walking as added benefits as when you are out in the lap of nature you can be sure that your memory and attention span would improve and so would your ability to fight any stress. Not only this, but it will also help you to beat tiredness. You will feel active the whole day and will be able to improve your productivity. It Helps Reduce Stress Hormones Are you often worried about your job? Or is your financial condition bothersome for you? Stressed owing to inflation? Then, it is the need of the hour to take up some activity that will help you stay calm and composed. Here, walking can be beneficial for you as it can regulate your mood. Just like any other cardiovascular activity, walking tends to boost the production of stress-busting endorphins. This, in turn, helps reduce the stress hormones and alleviate depression. Ta-da, by opting for walking, you can improve your mood and even enhance your self-esteem.

What is the Differential Diagnosis? ” I questioned my team, raising my arm with an MRI film in hand, holding it up against the morning light that brightened up the patient’s room. A differential diagnosis (or DD, as we like to abbreviate it) is where we list out multiple possibilities by weighing the probability of one disease over another, based on the clinical and radiological features of the patient’s symptoms, to work towards an actual final diagnosis. It is a process of clinical reasoning that we exercise to enable appropriate testing, helping us arrive at an answer. Mrs Gandhi was a 55-year-old lady whose right eye appeared more prominent than the other. She felt pain while moving her right eyeball, and the tiny streaks of red we saw over the white of her eye looked angry and congested. The lower eyelid was swollen and appeared like a prosthetically positioned dark circle. An evening fever had been brewing in the background, but she had brushed it aside. She was capriciously told she had a tumour in the orbit and was sent to us. The resident doctor peered at the scan, hoping I would shift focus to someone else or that my arm would tire waiting for an answer. When the diagnosis is uncertain, junior doctors don’t like to speak up for fear of saying the outrageous. “At Least Describe What you See,” I Said, Trying to Instil Some Confidence. “There is a fleshy-looking soft tissue lesion around the right orbit pushing onto the eyeball. It seems to have eroded the lateral wall of the orbit and a bit of the base of the skull, infiltrating the temporalis muscle as well,” he muttered, albeit correctly. “So, What Could it Be?” Once again, a couple of blank looks were exchanged, all in the presence of the patient who was nauseous with anticipation, eager to know what was going on inside her.“Looks like a tumor to me,” he concluded sanguinely. Another doctor suggested that it could be a deposit from a lymphoma. The others ricocheted that it could be something inflammatory. “Anyone for infection bacterial, fungal, tuberculosis?” I asked. They all nodded some meekly, others mindfully. Tuberculosis or TB should always be considered in atypical-looking lesions of the brain; the correct diagnosis comes from recognizing patterns and keeping an encyclopaedia of possibilities open. Most people associate TB as being a problem of the lungs, but TB can affect any organ that has a blood supply: the brain, spine, skin, muscle, bone, intestine, liver, kidney, spleen and even the heart; everything except the nails, hair and teeth. Given the endemic nature of this disease in our country, it always makes the list of differentials. There was a time when TB or one of its manifestations or complications could pass off as an answer to any question asked in an exam. Data suggests that nearly 3,000 people die of TB daily in India, because the bacterium is becoming resistant to the first line of drugs available to treat it. There was also a time when many of the uncertain or unexplained lesions in the brain and spine were empirically treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs and a vast majority would heal; that’s how we differentiated many ghoulish cancers from a certainly curable diagnosis of TB. But in today’s practice of medicine, almost every suspicion of the diagnosis of TB needs a biopsy to prove the same and document drug sensitivity. I explained to Mrs Gandhi the possibilities of this being a tumour or infection, mostly TB. We would have to do an intraoperative histopathological analysis or a “frozen section” of the tissue to decide on a further course of action. If the pathology of the mass during surgery suggested the presence of a tumour, we would attempt to remove it extensively. If it suggested TB, we would remove only enough to relieve the pressure on the eye without risking damage to neurological function, as post-operative anti-TB medication taken for a year would wipe out the residue effectually. The next day, we did a craniotomy and removed most of the tissue as we waited for an answer from the pathologist, who was scrutinising the cells under a microscope in a lab nearby. Sometimes, even pathologists may have a portentous time differentiating one condition from the other, depending on the tissue they receive. I once remember operating on a brain tumour in a HIV-positive patient. The scan looked like a lymphoma, a tumour that melts with a single dose of steroids and then some chemotherapy. We had decided, owing to the precarious location of the tumour deep inside the brain, that if the frozen section showed a lymphoma, we would not remove it completely, but that if it were any other tumour, we would go after it. The pathologist decreed it to be a lymphoma and so we stopped. The next day, despite high doses of steroids, the patient had malignant brain swelling and died. A few days later, while carrying out assiduous testing, the pathologist entertained the possibility that the cells showed a high-grade brain cancer also known as glioblastoma. He was apoplectic that some of those cells had mimicked a lymphoma. Iwas devastated. While we waited for the report to come in on Mrs Gandhi, we casually bet a coffee as we removed more abnormal tissue from her head. “This looks like tumour to me,” I said, giving my final remarks. My assistant disagreed. “It’s TB,” he announced, and he was right. We finished the job and a few days later gave her the positive news that her TB was sensitive to the first line of drugs. She was back to work in a week, the scar perfectly covered behind her hairline; no one in the office could tell she had just had brain surgery. A year later, she was cured, a scan showing no trace of the lesions. Medicine focuses on discerning the original and discarding the mimic. The word “diagnosis” arises from the Greek “to

Our dadis, nanis, and mums have been cooking with mustard oil or sarson ka tel since forever. But we millennials have our heart set on olive oil, which is often propositioned as the best when it comes to weight loss. The debate over which oil is better has been going on for quite some time. And it looks like this tug of war between olive and mustard oil will never end. Is olive oil healthier than good-ol’ sarson ka tel? This is what a nutritionist has to say – Winning BrainBUSINESS, Accounting, Affiliate, Auto Insurance, B2B Ecommerce, B2B, Biotechnology, Business, Business Management, Business Travel, Construction, Credit Card, Debt, Entertainment, Finance, Human Resources, Insurance Business, Internet Security, Management, Office Supplies, Online Payment Solutions, Software, Startup, Web Hosting, CONSUMER, Art, Automotive, Casino, Cell Phone, Computer, Dating, Ecommerce, Electronics, Email, Fashion, Golf, Hotel, Internet, Jobs, Law, Mortgage, Music, Online Stores, Pest Control, Photography, Plumbing, Real Estate, Restaurants, Shoes, Travel, Wedding, FINANCE, Financial Services, HEALTH & WELLNESS, Acne, Diet, Energy, Fitness, Gardening, Health Care, Health Fitness, Nutrition, Vacations Travel, Weight Loss, MISCELLANEOUS, Aerospace, Agriculture, Best Travel, Coffee, Dog Training Education Environmental Food & Beverage, Forex, Gifts, Home Based Business, Home Improvements, Internet Games, iPhone, Jewelry, Landscaping, Legal, Luggage, Pharmaceutical, Poker, Retail, School Education, Solar Energy, Transporation, Women Fashion, Work From Home, SALES & MARKETING, Advertising, Marketing, Marketing Email, Media, Online Marketing, Sales, SEO, Shopping Cart Solutions, Social Media, Technology, Twitter, Web Design, Web Development, But today we are here to put an end to this olive oil versus mustard oil battle, so that you can make an informed descision. And to help us out, we’ve got Amreen Shaikh, head dietician and nutritionist at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai. So, let’s see what she recommends.  How you cook matters a whole lot when it comes to choosing an oil We’re sure when buying cooking oil, you study the content label looking for things like trans fat. But before you get to this stage, you should first be clear on how you are going to cook with this oil. Are you going to fry, saute, or grill with this oil? Explains Ms Shaikh: Is olive oil healthier than good-ol’ sarson ka tel? This is what a nutritionist has to say – Winning BrainBUSINESS, Accounting, Affiliate, Auto Insurance, B2B Ecommerce, B2B, Biotechnology, Business, Business Management, Business Travel, Construction, Credit Card, Debt, Entertainment, Finance, Human Resources, Insurance Business, Internet Security, Management, Office Supplies, Online Payment Solutions, Software, Startup, Web Hosting, CONSUMER, Art, Automotive, Casino, Cell Phone, Computer, Dating, Ecommerce, Electronics, Email, Fashion, Golf, Hotel, Internet, Jobs, Law, Mortgage, Music, Online Stores, Pest Control, Photography, Plumbing, Real Estate, Restaurants, Shoes, Travel, Wedding, FINANCE, Financial Services, HEALTH & WELLNESS, Acne, Diet, Energy, Fitness, Gardening, Health Care, Health Fitness, Nutrition, Vacations Travel, Weight Loss, MISCELLANEOUS, Aerospace, Agriculture, Best Travel, Coffee, Dog Training Education Environmental Food & Beverage, Forex, Gifts, Home Based Business, Home Improvements, Internet Games, iPhone, Jewelry, Landscaping, Legal, Luggage, Pharmaceutical, Poker, Retail, School Education, Solar Energy, Transporation, Women Fashion, Work From Home, SALES & MARKETING, Advertising, Marketing, Marketing Email, Media, Online Marketing, Sales, SEO, Shopping Cart Solutions, Social Media, Technology, Twitter, Web Design, Web Development, Indian cooking requires a lot of sautéing and frying for which olive oil is not the right choice. According to Shaikh, the smoking point of olive oil is very low and it immediately converts into trans fats or unsaturated fats that are very bad for your overall health. Cooking with olive oil in this way can lead to weight gain. In such cases, mustard oil is what you should prefer as it has a higher smoking point than olive oil. “But if you want to use an oil for dressing or for dips, then you can surely go for olive oil. In case you are grilling your food then extra-virgin olive oil can be used as mustard oil is not great for salad dressings as it has a pungent smell,” she suggests. Are there any nutritional differences between olive oil and mustard oil? MUFA, check. PUFA, check. In fact, you’ll be glad to know that both these oils have almost similar nutrient levels which help in keeping your cholesterol in check.  “Both oils are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help in keeping many health issues at bay,” she explains.MUFA and PUFA are needed for better heart health. Image courtesy: Shutterstock That said, mustard oil has an upper hand when it comes to nutrition. This is because it has the ideal ratio of 1:2 of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, as recommended by the WHO.  Olive oil on the other has a ratio of 12:1 according to Shaikh, which is not good for your heart health.  The verdict? “When it comes to olive oil many people don’t really know how to use it and at times use it as a replacement for regular refined oil which is very, very harmful. So, keeping in mind the Indian scenario i.e. the way we cook and the type of food we eat, mustard oil is the right and a much healthier choice to make. It is inexpensive and is readily available and we all know how to use it,” she concludes. So ladies, the next time you hit the supermarket, you might want to move towards mustard oil leaving that big jar of olive oil behind.

Apple cider vinegar made by fermenting the sugar from apples. This turns them into acetic acid, which is a main active ingredient in vinegar and may be responsible for its health benefits Apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy. People have used it for centuries in cooking and medicine. Some popular benefits include antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. Other benefits, such as aiding weight loss, reducing cholesterol, lowering blood sugar levels, and improving the symptoms of diabetes. Health benefits of apple cider vinegar like increased weight loss, better blood sugar control and a stronger immune system. Preliminary research that suggests ACV might enhance the work of certain immune-system cells, including bacteria-engulfing cells helping the system fight disease Along with a reduced-calorie diet Apple cider vinegar can lower triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and led to improvements in healthy HDL-cholesterol levels. ACV can prevent blood sugar spikes and improve insulin sensitivity, which means that the body may be more sensitive to the way insulin is transporting glucose from the bloodstream into your cells where it can be used for energy. ACV contains gut-friendly probiotic bacteria which can benefit your stomach and improve digestion. The main substance in vinegar — acetic acid — can kill harmful bacteria or prevent them from multiplying. It has a history of use as a disinfectant and natural preservative. It can help in weight loss  by  increasing the feelings of fullness and help you eat fewer calories, which may lead to weight loss.