Perhaps busier than the busiest executive is the heart.
Contracting 100,000 times a day and pumping 5 to 6 litres of blood each minute,
It is undoubtedly the most important organ in the body. What is more, it pumps 20 times the normal volume when you exercise.

The heart is a muscular organ located in the chest, or thoracic cavity, diagonally behind the chest or breastbone. Shaped and sized similar to that of a clenched fist, this small organ performs tremendous work to maintain life process.

Why exercise?
You could ask, why work the heart when it’s already working so hard?
The heart like any other muscle works better and more efficiently when it is in shape. And there’s no better way to keep it in shape than regular exercise.

As you exercise, your heart ra.... Click to Read More

Diabetes is disorder that disrupts glucose, protein and fat metabolism. It is typically characterized by high sugar levels. This is due to reduced insulin (a hormone) secretion by the pancreatic beta cells or reduced sensitivity to insulin.

Diabetics are at a greater risk for numerous health problems, including kidney failure, nerve disorders, eye problems and heart disease.

The two primary classes of diabetes are - Type 1 (insulin dependant diabetes mellitus) and Type 2 (non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus). Both types have distinct causes and different strategies for disease management.

You can take care of your diabetes by:
• Exercising regularly and leading and active lifestyle
• Following regular meal timings and planning healthy meals
• Taking medicines, if prescribed by your doctor.... Click to Read More

The word “arthritis” literally means joint inflammation. This condition may cause pain, stiffness and swelling in joints and other supporting structures. Some types of arthritis are a result of connective tissue degeneration while others are described as autoimmune diseases. There are many types of arthritis - such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout.

Should People With Arthritis Exercise?
Yes. Exercise reduces joint pain, increases flexibility and bone strength and improves cardiovascular fitness. It also helps with weight reduction and contributes to an improved sense of well-being.

Don’t get into a vicious cycle of inactivit.... Click to Read More

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. About 20% of women, 50% of pregnant women and 3% of men are iron-deficient.

What is iron-deficiency anemia?

Iron is present in all cells of the body and plays a key role in improving the quality of blood; it assists in the formation of hemoglobin and increases resistance to stress and disease. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when there is less iron in the body and can result in symptoms such as fatigue, headache, weakness, pale skin, dizziness, irritability and lack of concentration.

What are the causes?
Common causes are inadequate consumption of iron or inability to absorb iron from the diet, blood loss, either from disease or injury.

• Low consumption of iron-rich foods
• Excessive die.... Click to Read More

“Ouch – my back hurts!” is a common complaint.
Back pain is not usually due to a single cause, but the result of a build-up of factors accumulating over time.

The back should be strong and supple, as it sustains the weight of the entire upper body and has to absorb the force and shock of movements.

Back basics

The spine is the central axis of the body and combines with the joints and muscles to make a supportive frame for the trunk to maintain an upright posture. It is made up of 33 small bones called vertebrae with discs that act as shock absorbers in-between. Wear and tear of the back’s supportive structures cause back pain, strain and injury.

• Back problems often result from an imbalance between tissues (muscles, ligaments and tendons) surrounding the spine or incorrect spin.... Click to Read More

Obesity is associated with several health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, hypertension, gallbladder problems, certain types of cancer and osteoarthritis.

Take charge, now!

The more overweight you are, the more likely you are to have health problems. Studies show if you are overweight or obese, even losing 5–10% of your body weight can improve your health. The safest and most effective way to lose weight is to follow a calorie restricted diet and increase physical activity.

How many calories to consume?

Calorie needs are very individual; they depend on your weight, age, sex, activity level, metabolic rate and lifestyle habits. On an average, women require around 2000 calories a day and men 2500 a day.

What do you do if you need to .... Click to Read More