PCOD/PCOS is a health disorder characterized by hormonal imbalance and unreasonable weight gain. Women who get diagnosed with PCOD have insulin resistance, that leads to a lack of ovulation and their inability to get pregnant. In such cases, it is important to keep a track of your lifestyle, as well as include essential nutrients and vitamins into your diet. However, the vitamin requirements of each woman suffering from PCOD may vary. It depends on one’s body type, medical background, genetic factors, and lifestyle. Based on these, our health experts at Health Total will give you a personalized food plan and treatment that not only works on your health disorder but also restores a balance in your body. If you suffer from PCOD, then here are 4 vitamins that our health experts recommend for you. Vitamin D Since it is often seen that vitamin D deficiency also affects women with PCOD, a regular supply of this vitamin helps decrease insulin resistance and symptoms of PCOD. Inositol Also known as vitamin B8, inositol improves the symptoms of PCOD and improves your ovulatory functions. Folic Acid Also known as Vitamin B9, folic acid is usually given with inositol to cure PCOD. When combined together, both … Continue reading 4 vitamins that help you fight PCOD →

Strangely, just like weight loss, people do struggle to gain a few pounds as well. It has been medically proven that being underweight too can cause severe health problems. Usually, people tend to think that following a weight gain food plan will work. However, it requires the same amount of control and will power as one would need while following a weight loss food plan through following recommended intake of high-calorie foods. The idea of a weight gain foods is to put on healthy weight and steer clear of saturated fats. Whole milk Milk is an important beverage for the most of us. From a creamy cup of coffee to a healthy bowl of oatmeal/cereals soaked in milk, there are several ways of enjoying this essential source of nourishment. Although a weight gain food plan would not require you to give up on milk, you will have to switch from fat-free or skim milk to whole milk. It is high in essential nutrients, vitamins, and contains healthy calories. One glass of whole fat milk contains 3.25% fat and 150 calories. It nourishes your body and helps you gain weight faster. Cheese for weight gain If you love cheese, then stick to … Continue reading Weight gain foods for men →

Perimenopause or pre-menopause is a relatively new term coined in the last twenty years by the medical community to describe symptoms caused by normal hormonal fluctuations that occur as a woman moves closer to her menopause. These symptoms can be broad-ranging and diffuse and differ for every woman, causing a lot of confusion and anxiety. And the younger you are, the more confused and worried you may be. The most common include irregular and/or heavy bleeding, insomnia, night sweats and/or hot flashes, worsening PMS, migraine, vaginal dryness and abdominal weight gain on the physical front. On the emotional front, changing hormones are linked to increased bouts of anxiety, depression, irritability and intense mood swings. Many women have experienced chest pain or palpitations from their hormonal imbalance. It’s also true that not every woman experiences symptoms (about 40%). A woman may go in and out of a perimenopausal state for as many as 10-13 years before she arrives at true menopause (the average age of which is 52 in the US).  This means that it is perfectly normal, in fact natural, for a woman as young as 40 to begin feeling foreign and seemingly inexplicable changes in her body and emotions. … Continue reading What is perimenopause? →

The most common cause of type 2 diabetes is eating too much of the wrong kind of carbohydrates. This is a path to self-destruction, eventually leading to high Blood pressure, high triglyceride, and low HDL (good cholesterol). Other reasons include a genetic predisposition to the disease, stress, and decrease in physical activity. Effective tips to manage type 2 diabetes  Eat low glycemic foods such as oats, barley, bran, jowar, whole pulses, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Avoid sugar and foods containing sugar such as chocolates, desserts, sweets, soft drinks, white flour, cakes, biscuits, pizzas, rice, high sugar foods. Don’t drink fruit juices as they contain too much sugar (more than what a type 2 diabetic can handle). Reduce intake of saturated fats and hydrogenated fats as it increases insulin resistance. Fish oils have shown to improve insulin resistance. So eat fish 3 times a week or take fish oils supplements. Increase fiber in your diet by increasing your intake of green vegetables and whole grains. Walk for 30-40 minutes every day. We are not alone in our concern that type II diabetes is a growing national crisis. There are too many lives at stake and you have nothing to lose by … Continue reading Managing type 2 diabetes →

Obesity is often associated with an increased risk of more than 20 chronic illness and health conditions that can have a devastating effect on a person’s health. It is a risk factor for a variety of chronic diseases including diabetics, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart and related ailments, some cancers, and arthritis. According to a study published in 2014, India is the third most obese country in the world. Hence, obesity and obesity-related health complications are driving up the health care costs in India. This article highlights risk factors associated with obesity and how you can fight them. What is Obesity? Obesity means having too much fat in the body which can have a negative effect on your overall health. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is between 25 and 29.9 you are considered overweight. And if it is 30 or above, you are considered obese. Related: Check Your Health with our BMI Calculator Factors Leading to Obesity Different factors lead to obesity, some of them are: Eating too many calories Sedentary lifestyle Lack of sleep Smoking Certain medications Obesity or FTO gene Obesity-Related Chronic Illness Obesity and diet-related chronic diseases are largely preventable, but the complex systemic factors causing them make it … Continue reading Obesity: An Open Invitation To Chronic Diseases →