Heredity Heredity is one of the main risk factors for developing varicose veins, responsible for 80% of varicose vein disease. In fact, the risk of developing varicose veins doubles if both parents have the condition. Obesity Excess weight places undue pressure on your legs. This weakens the walls of your veins, causing them to lose their elasticity. Eventually the veins widen, separating the valves responsible for preventing the backflow of blood. The more blood that enters your veins, the more enlarged they become, twisting as they attempt to fit into their normal space. Lack of exercise Lack of exercise causes poor circulation, which can lead to varicose veins. Jobs requiring prolonged sitting or standing People who stand for long periods of time are at risk, since gravity builds pressure within the veins, causing them to dilate. Low-fiber diet Low-fiber diets produce straining during defecation, increasing pressure in the abdomen, causing a weakening and dilation of the superficial veins in the legs, leading to varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Age over 40 The walls of the veins lose elasticity with age and normal wear and tear.

Many people these days are wary of the word ‘cholesterol’. However, contrary to the bad reputation it has received lately, cholesterol is essential for several important body functions including nerve heath and cell strength. Cholesterol friendly foods A fat-free diet may not be the best way to control cholesterol because not all fats are bad; what’s important is that you eat the right type of fat. Cholesterol is produced by our liver and is also found in the foods we eat. Foods high in calories and saturated fats raise the LDL (bad cholesterol) levels while lowering the HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Conversely, unsaturated fats (MUFA) such as those found in mustard oil, rice bran oil, olive oil increase HDL levels and lower LDL levels. High levels of LDL could precipitate serious health conditions including heart disease. Apart from eating a well balanced diet, the following recommendations could help you maintain healthy cholesterol levels. What to include Include some carbohydrates from whole grain in your meal. Many people cut down on carbohydrates assuming that they increase weight. However, carbohydrates offer a range of health benefits that you cannot afford to ignore. Dietary fiber The dietary fiber found in cereals, fruits, vegetable … Continue reading Understanding Cholesterol →

Every girl dreams of having smooth, flawless skin and tries different beauty products available in the market. These products may give quick results but contain harsh chemicals that are not good for your skin. There are several natural home remedies for getting glowing skin. It is better to choose natural solutions, which Mother Nature has blessed us with and there are many tips for getting healthy skin. Lemon and honey Lemon and honey are two natural skin lightening agents with great antibacterial properties. Lemon absorbs the excess oil from your skin whereas honey locks in the moisture. Lemon and honey packs are one of the best home remedies for achieving glowing skin. Mix equal portions of lemon and honey and apply this mixture to your wet face. Leave it on for twenty minutes and wash with cold water. Rice flour Rice flour is one of the most effective home remedies for attaining glowing skin. It is an excellent exfoliating agent that removes dead cells from the skin. Add three tablespoons of finely powdered rice flour to one tablespoon of turmeric powder. Make a smooth paste of this mixture by adding some milk. Clean your face and apply this pack. Leave … Continue reading Healthy tips for glowing skin →

Acidity is catabolic (breaks down) in nature. It is for this reason that it brings about chronic fatigue, low immunity, irritability, and mood swings.  Therefore, it is important to restore the pH levels in the body as continuing to have an acidic state would precipitate disease sooner or later.  The human body has self-healing powers. All we have to do is to support its activity with the right nutrients.  A basic rule to achieve and maintain PH balance is to eat 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.  If your pH test suggests that your body is acidic switch over to alkaline forming food. Here is a list of alkaline forming foods. Watermelon Mangoes Apples Guava Pears Potatoes Dudhi Turi Honey Dates Corn Millets Mushrooms Raisins Curd At the same time, you must avoid acid forming substances such as: Alcohol Coffee Legumes Lentils Cornstarch White flour Non-vegetarian foods Fried food Dried coconut Cheese Cakes Pastries Pasta Soft drinks Sugar Vinegar Pickles Pappads Apart from food, both physical and mental stress tends to elevate the acidity of the blood. The effect of stress on acidosis is more profound than that caused by wrong eating.  When stress levels are very … Continue reading Restoring pH levels →

Following are some of the most common causes of flatulence: Wipe-out of good bacteria Excessive flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, and other digestive problems can happen due to lack of good bacteria in the guts. This could be due to years of taking anti biotic, eating excessive amount of sugar and refined flour, eating cakes and pastries, and non-vegetarian food, which could wipe-out colonic flora. Allergy and Intolerance Lactose intolerance and allergic reactions to milk also increase gas output. Foods containing high fructose corn syrup and yeast when poorly tolerated by individuals are fermented by intestinal bacteria and cause a lot of stomach cramps and gas formation. Beans A complex carbohydrate called oligosaccharide present in beans is hard to digest. Generally, beans of smaller size like moong cause less flatulence as compared to larger beans like rajma. Soaking the beans overnight, discarding the soaked water and cooking beans well can reduce the flatulence. Hi-fiber and carbohydrate diet Usually a diet with lots of starchy foods like potato, wheat and pasta can cause flatulence. A sudden switch to high fiber diet, especially when a person is not used to it. Flatulence can cause lot of discomfort and belching. Few vegetables Onions, turnips, cabbage, … Continue reading Common causes of flatulence →