Insights on Healthcare in India

Which cooking oil?

In our society riddled with myths and all and sundry giving health related advise, COOKING OILS are one hot topic of discussion. Most people NOT knowing which one to use, still keep advising. 

Today I will make you understand which oil is the appropriate one to use and why?

All the best to choose your right oil!

GERD - trick may cure

A recent study concluded that HEARTBURN is shadowing modern day India!

Anatcids & Ranitidine tablets are second only to tranquilizers not only in self medication but in prescription drugs as well. Commonly used term HYPERACIDITY is GERD in most cases and lately we are finding it in kids as well.

Jaundice - What to eat?

Another area riddled with myths is JAUNDICE. The poor patient is put on a bland diet for 4-6 weeks just because he/ she vomitted for a few days at the onset of disease. Till the eyes are yellow, nothing fried or spicy is given. This ONLY delays recovery. Surprised? Well that is the truth! In my practice I advise the following regime and believe me my patients are both happy and recover faster than when I would punish them with boiled food for 4-6 weeks

Obesity in children

TOI Editorial on 27th April 07, touched upon potential health problems of the GenNext - future of India.
Taking cognizance of the fact that 'Schoolchildren are increasingly leading sedentary lives, spending their recreational time watching television, playing video games or surfing the Internet. In addition, their food habits have deteriorated.', the editorial goes on to recommend that school should provide dietary advise.

Over 30 yr in practice, we have been seeing rapidly increasing instances of obesity in children.

Jaundice: Not again!

Once again Hepatitis (Jaundice) has raised its ugly head and is infecting lakhs of health conscious Mumbai citizens!

This happening when most people consume filtered water/ bottled drinking water and take care of what they drink, is truly astonishing.

A BPO that gets ALL its drinking water in sealed 20 litre jars - 18 staff members get jaundiice within a span of 1 week! How??

Obesity & Diabetes

Diabetes — a major health risk for the younger generation!

Times of India, Friday 19th October carried an article that should be read by ALL mothers who keep force feeding their children always thinking that he/ she is gone too thin.

I have already commented on Obesity in children, but the seriousness of the issue, bombardment of junk food ads and a 'I-don't-care' attitude of parents has forced me to write again.

Free Radicals & Antioxidants

Free radicals are being recognised to be responsible for ailmets like Cancers and Ischemic Heart Disease. Antioxidants have become the mainstay of preventive therapy and next decade will see increasing recognition of the role antioxidants play in Health maintainance.

Organic food rocks: Really??

Sunday 25th July 2004, TIMES Wellness pullout had 'Nutritionist Naini Setalvad extols the virtues of going organic'

ORGANIC food has gained repute more as a food fad than one just related to health. It’s considered expensive, and an inconvenient option in terms of availability. So why should one even opt for it?
Organic food comes with the guarantee that the entire process from growing the food to preserving and storing it is absolutely and completely free off chemicals, pesticides and preservatives (none of which are natural).This also means that the land on which the fruits, vegetables and grains are grown, and the grass on which the cows feed are free of chemicals, pesticides, DDT sprays, steroids and hormones (in case of the animals).

Which is all true, but ...

Weight reduction Myths

While preparing content for my portal www.justeves.com we gave special attention to prevalent myths among our patients.

One of the areas where myths prevail is WEIGHT REDUCTION. Obese individuals generally do NOT suceed in losing weight and always come up with a justification to show that whatever is happening is beyond their control.

A compilation of common myths CLICK.

Feel free to add if you have some good ones!

Obesity & Diabetes in Children

My niece's son, Sid, age 13, weighs 66 kgs and has put on 10 kgs in last 12 months. Sid could eat one giant pizza alone and still be hungry after 2 hours. This weight gain with the abnormal appetite, despite playing football for 3-4 hrs per day, was enough for me to ask for Thyroid profile and Fasting Blood Sugar. His Thyroid functions were normal, but fasting blood sugar was 107 mg%.
By latest guidelines he is a Diabetic (anything above 100 in a child is DIABETIC and NOT borderline)

Sid is JUST one of the thousands of children being diagnosed Diabetics in India!

Obesity and diabetes are increasing in children in the United States. screams an instant poll on one of the most visited medical portals.