Tuesday, 25 August 2015

GUIDELINES FOR PEPTIC ULCER PATIENTS


The major goal of diet is to avoid extreme elevations of gastric acid secretion and the direct irritation of gastric mucosa. In view of this, only slight modifications in the patient's usual diet are recommended such as.

  1. Transient buffering effect and significant gastric acid secretion effect of milk. The fat content of milk has no influence on these effects.
  2. Spices in particular black pepper, red pepper, and chili powder, may produce dyspepsia.
  3. Peptic ulcer patients should avoid any spice that causes discomfort, especially during exacerbation of peptic disease.
  4. Avoid frequent consumption of alcohol.
  5. Avoid smoking as it is one of the major cause of ulcer occurrence..
  6. Coffee should be avoided on the basis of its strong acid secretagogue property. Coffee can induce dyspepsia.
  7. Recommended small frequent feedings have been shown to be more effective than three meals per day in the treatment of chronic peptic ulcer disease.
  8. Citric acid juices may induce reflux and cause discomfort in selective patients.
  9. Stomach distention with large quantities of food should be discouraged.
  10. High fiber in diet should be avoided.

Friday, 21 August 2015

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME


Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder which affects the large intestine or colon. Considering its growing occurrence, it is important to know some important aspects of the diet.

Dietary management in IBS

IBS management is possible by introducing dietary changes like eliminating or reducing certain carbohydrates (collectively called FODMAPs), gluten, some vegetables (like broccoli and cabbage), carbonated beverages, dairy products and fats. Fiber and water intake must be increased.

1.  Avoid eating spicy foods: Spicy foods are likely to irritate sensitive bowel and worsen the case for people suffering from diarrhea as a symptom of IBS.

2. Reduce the intake of tea, coffee: Caffeinated beverages like tea and coffee can trigger IBS attack. As per NICE guidelines, a person suffering from IBS should restrict caffeinated beverages to 3 cups per day.

3. Avoid eating fatty foods: Processed foods like peanut butter, fries, margarine, salad dressing and doughnuts contain hydrogenated fats which are bad for you if suffer from diarrhea. They not only worsen IBS symptoms but are also bad for your overall health.
  
4. Adjust fibre intake: According to the National Institute of Health and Excellence (NICE) clinical guidelines, fibre intake for people with IBS should be adjusted according to the symptoms and its effects. Reduce fibre intake if you suffer from bloating and flatulence as it may worsen your condition. If you have constipation and wish to increase your fibre intake you should do it gradually as sudden drastic change in dietary habits may make symptoms worse.

5. Control portion size: Instead of having larger meals at one time, divide it into smaller meals over the day

6. Consider having probiotics: Recent research suggests that IBS IS linked to alterations in the microbial population present in the intestine. Most people develop IBS after suffering from an infection that disrupts the balance of healthy microbes present in the intestine. Therefore, probiotics like fermented milk products, yogurt or even probiotic supplements are likely to help people suffering from IBS…. 


The following foods have been identified as being high in FODMAPs (fermentable oligo di mono and poly saccharides)

Wednesday, 19 August 2015

SOME HOME REMEDIES THAT WORKS BETTER FOR CONSTIPATION




1. Olive Oil
Pure olive oil is more than just a healthy and tasty fat; it can also help relieve constipation.

You will need…
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)

Directions
In the morning consume one tablespoon of olive oil. It works best on an empty stomach, so have it before you eat anything else.

2. Lemon Juice
Mixing the juice with water not only lessens the intensity of the lemon flavor, but helps get you the fluids you need to get everything moving normally again.

You will need…
-1 fresh lemon
-1 cup of warm water

Directions
Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into 1 cup of warm water. Drink or sip until finished completely.

3. Fibre
Fiber is material that cannot be digested, and it acts like a sponge. It draws water from its surroundings, making it swell, which softens stool and adds bulk to it, which in turn helps it pass. Like coffee, some kinds of fiber (like beans) can contribute to constipation, so always drink plenty of water. Some good fiber-filled foods include-
-Beans
-Apricots
-Whole grain bread
-Berries
-Broccoli
-Plums, pears, and apples
-nuts
-Potatoes (skip the fries though)

4. Flaxative
Flaxseed oil is a pretty simple home remedy for constipation,since oranges have a good amount of fiber in them (make sure to get orange juice with pulp, which is what has most of the fiber.)

You will need…
-1 glass of orange juice with pulp (8 oz.)
-1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil

Directions
Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil with 1 glass of orange juice. Drink as needed, but give it time (up to 5 hours) to start working so you don’t overdo it.

5. Aloe Vera Juice
It’s best to use pure aloe Vera gel from the plant. The gel straight from the plant is more concentrated than commercial aloe juice so don’t use more than 2 tablespoons. If you don’t have an aloe plant, than drinking aloe juice can accomplish similar results.

You will need…
-2 tablespoons of pure aloe gel or 1 cup of aloe Vera juice

Directions
Mix two tablespoons of pure gel with fruit juice and drink in the morning, OR drink one cup of aloe Vera juice as needed.

6. Prunes
Perhaps one of the most classic cures for constipation is prunes or prunes juice. The fruit works as a natural laxative because it has high amounts of fiber.

You will need…
-2 glasses of prune juice (8oz)

Directions
Drink one glass of prune juice in the morning and one at night to relieve constipation. It should start working within a few hours, so it’s important to let one glass pass through your intestines before attempting to drink another-or else you risk diarrhea. You can also eat several prunes instead of drinking the juice if you prefer.

7. Dandelion
Dandelions are a terribly annoying weed, The constituents of dandelions make it a gentle laxative as well as an effective detoxifier, and a cup of dandelion tea will be enormously beneficial to those who are suffering from constipation due to inactiveness or the consumption of a lot of processed foods (although drinking it does not mean you don’t need to exercise or eat healthy!)

You will need…
-1-2 teaspoons of dried dandelion leaves
-1 cup of hot water

Directions
Put 1-2 teaspoons of dried dandelion leaves into a mug, and pour hot water over them. Cover and let steep for 6-10 minutes. Drink up to 3 times a day.

Saturday, 1 August 2015

DIETARY MANAGEMENT IN URIC ACID


Prunes (specific chemical compounds found in some foods) are broken down into uric acid. Diet rich in prunes from certain sources can raise uric acid levels in the body, which sometimes leads to gout. Meat and seafood may increase your risk of gout. Dairy products may lower your risk.

Restrict food high in prunes
  • Organ meat such as liver
  • Selected fish and selfish
  • Meat and yeast extract
  • Asparagus
  • Cauliflower
  • Chicken
  • Chicken Soup
  • Kidney Beans
  • Lima beans
  • Mushroom
  • Oat Meal
  • Peas
  • Spinach 

Recommended foods to eat
  • Fresh cherries, strawberries, blueberries,
  • Bananas
  • Avocados
  • Celery
  • Tomatoes
  • Pineapple
  • Lemon
  • Corn
  • Rice
  • White Beans
  • Dark green leafy vegetables
  • Yogurt
  • Fish (Salmon)
  • Vegetables including cabbage and parsley
  • Foods high in vitamin c (red cabbage, red bell peppers)
  • Low fat dairy products
  • Complex carbohydrates
  • Tea, coffee
  • Nuts and seeds (Pumpkin, Watermelon Seeds, Almonds and peanuts)

Wednesday, 29 July 2015

HEALTH BENEFITS OF FENUGREEK SEEDS

FENUGREEK SEEDS INCREASE THE BREAST MILK SUPPLY:
Lactating mothers are always suggested to incorporate fenugreek seeds in their diet.
Apart from this, the vitamins and magnesium present in fenugreek seeds enhances the quality of the breast milk thus improving the health of the infants.

FENUGREEK SEEDS CONTROL DIABETES:
Another important advantage of having fenugreek seeds are it helps to control type II diabetes
Anti-diabetic properties are observed in one of the amino acids called 4 – hydroxy isoleucine present in fenugreek. This amino acid increases the production of insulin and improves insulin sensitivity.
FENUGREEK SEEdS REDUCE THE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS:
Consumption of fenugreek seeds reduces the level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol, thus controlling the occurrences of various conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks and stroke.
The fibre content present in the fenugreek helps to remove the excess cholesterol from the arteries and blood vessels in the body, reducing the chance of clot formation.
FENUGREEK SEEDS PREVENT COLON CANCER:
The anticarcinogenic properties of fenugreek seeds helps to prevent colon cancer.

Apart from this, the non-starch polysaccharides like tannin, mucilage, pectin, hemicellulose and saponin bind with the toxin, thus protecting the mucus membrane of the colon and decreasing the chances of colorectal cancer.

Monday, 20 July 2015

HEALTHY LIVER TONICS

Achieving optimum physical well-being is simply not possible without a healthy liver. Along with the kidneys, it is one of the main filters of toxins and unwanted substances in the body.
To support healthy liver function, a regular schedule of detoxification, along with avoiding excess alcohol and other irritants is necessary.
It is also good to consider adding any or all of the 5 following herbs to the diet, as they have all been shown to support and nourish proper liver function.
Indian Gooseberry (Amalaki)
 It is rich in vitamin C, which is necessary for a strong immune system.
It also an excellent source of anti-oxidants that can promote and nourish healthy liver function.
Indian Tinospora (Guduchi)
It has long been known for its ability to help reduce toxic build-up in the liver, thus promoting optimal hepatic function.
It helps to reduce stress, which can do long-term damage to the liver and immune system in general and in addition to this, it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Caper Bush (kabra)
Caper bush is remarkable in its ability to help guard against the harm caused by free radicals when this occurs.
It, too, can boost immunity and reduce overall inflammation.
Chicory (Kasani)
Chicory is rich in compounds called polyphenols, which are plant-based, naturally-occurring chemicals that have been shown to fight the damaging action of free radicals.
At the same time, they help the liver tissues to restore and rejuvenate and prevent the build-up of adipose deposits that can lead to fatty liver disease.
Eclipta Alba (Bringaraj)

The herb contains a wealth of phytochemicals, botanical compounds which have been shown to fight the viruses which cause hepatitis and also reduce the risk of liver inflammation.

Friday, 17 July 2015

GOOD FOOD FOR CHOLESTEROL


Do you crave for parathas, butter chicken and shahi paneer with dollops of butter, ghee and oil on it?

Is the voice in your head saying “Go ahead and relish your dishes. Why resist the temptation when good life is about savouring your favourite foods to your heart’s content?”

When you take large portions of food containing saturated and trans fats and sugar, your bad cholesterol levels are bound to go up.

This accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries places you at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. What will this lead to?
Blockage of arteries, lesser blood circulation to the heart and higher chances of heart attack, shorter lifespan and increased chances of suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

Nuts
Power-packed nuts such as almonds (with their skin on), walnuts, heart-healthy fats that are excellent in reducing bad cholesterol.

Almond skins have substances that help prevent LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol from getting oxidized, which can damage the lining of blood vessels and increase cardiovascular risk.

Avocados
The monounsaturated fats such as oleic acid present in avocados have lower ‘bad’ LDLs and raise ‘good’ HDLs. This is especially good for people with mildly high cholesterol.
The best way to enjoy avocados is by slicing and packing them into sandwiches and salads.

Barley
Beta-glucan which is a type of soluble fibre present in barley reduces cholesterol levels.

Beans and Lentils
Beans such as Bengal gram (chana), Kidney beans (rajma) and Chickpeas (Kabuli chana) are cholesterol-free, low fat, and rich in dietary fibre, which helps lower cholesterol levels.

Blueberries
Blueberries are packed with pterostilbene, a powerful antioxidant that helps in lowering bad LDL cholesterol.

Oats
This makes a healthy breakfast that is nutritious and filling.

Brown Rice
Being unpolished, brown rice is packed with nutrients such as vitamin B, magnesium, selenium, and phytonutrients.

This high fibre content helps in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol.