ESSENTIAL FOODS THAT CUT DOWN FAT

To cut down fat you need not change your food pattern or introduce new things you may not feel like having. Instead look around your kitchen , there are few ingredients in the racks that ensure weight loss by cutting down fat.

Ayurveda recommends to include all tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, salty, astringent, pungent in at least one meal each day  This will help balance unnatural cravings. My earlier article The importance of six tastes in Ayurveda describes this.

Turmeric

Curcumin, the active component of turmeric turn off certain genes that cause scarring and enlargement of the heart. Regular intake of turmeric may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, increase blood circulation and prevent blood clotting, helping to prevent heart attack.

Garlic

It is considered that a garlic a day keeps sickness away. An effective fat-burning food, garlic contains the sulphur compound allicin which has anti-bacterial effects and helps reduce cholesterol and unhealthy fats.

Cardamom

Cardamom is a thermogenic herb that increases metabolism and helps burn body fat. Cardamom is considered one of the best digestive aids and is believed to soothe the digestive system and help the body process other foods more efficiently. Added in spicy dishes , desserts and in many recipes to maximize benefits.

Chillies

Foods containing chillies are said to be as foods that burn fat. Chillies contain capsaicin that helps in increasing the metabolism. Capsaicin is a thermogenic food, so it causes the body to burn calories for 20 minutes after you eat the chillies. Minimize quantity intake to avoid spoiling the day.

Honey

Honey is a home remedy for obesity. Honey mobilizes the extra fat deposits in the body allowing it to be utilized as energy for normal functions. One should start with about 10 grams or a tablespoon, taken with water early in the morning. It boost immune system and contains anti bacterial properties. Be careful to pick the natural variety when you purchase.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk contains just 2.2 grams of fat and about 99 calories, as compared to whole milk that contains 8.9 grams fat and 157 calories. Regular intake provides the body with all essential nutrients and does not add fats and calories to the body. It is thus helpful in weight loss. You can consume this with a little of salt and curry leaves. Relieves tiredness of the scorch heat.

Curry leaves

Incorporating curry leaves into your daily diet can help you lose weight. Curry leaves flush out fat and toxins, reducing fat deposits that are stored in the body, as well as reducing bad cholesterol levels. If you are overweight, incorporate eight to 10 curry leaves into your diet daily. Chop them finely and mix them into a drink, or sprinkle them over a meal.

Moong dhal

The bean sprouts are rich in Vitamin A, B, C and E and many minerals, such as calcium, iron and potassium. Moong dhal is recommended as a food replacement in many slimming programs, as it has a very low fat content. It is a rich source of protein and fiber, which helps lower blood cholesterol level. The high fiber content yields complex carbohydrates, which aid digestion, are effective in stabilizing blood sugar and prevent its rapid rise after meal consumption.

Oatsmeal

Oatmeal is high in soluble fiber and that will reduce cholesterol significantly. It will also help flush many acids and fats out of your body. It is important to eat oatmeal without putting sugar and butter on it to make it more palatable. If you have to sweeten it, do it with fresh fruits or natural honey.

Cabbage

Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction. Include it as salads or steamed side dish.

Beans

Cooked beans are very good to cut down fat. You can consume cooked beans like kidney beans, white beans. Include them with breakfast. Makes a good diet for the day. The proteins in the beans will help to burn fats. Beans are high in both fiber and protein and can help in burning down fat while delivering great energy and nutrition. Furthermore, beans are low in calories and saturated fats, though you should avoid consuming refried beans which are actually high in saturated fats.

Eggs

Eggs have a perfect balance of amino acids. These are the protein building blocks your body uses to develop muscle fibers. Eating an egg daily can assist with cutting fat. If you have high cholesterol, you can opt for egg white only.

Be cautious of the food you take . Exercise and maintain good health. You can further follow Simple ways to include Ayurveda in everyday life.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR PSORIASIS

Psoriasis  is a non infectious, inflammatory disease of the skin . Psoriasis is associated with dryness, itching, silvery scales on the skin and flakes on the scalp. Psoriasis can begin at an age of 20 or between 5 and 60 years too. It affects both the genders and the exact reason for Psoriasis is not known.

There is no treatment for psoriasis that can guarantee 100% result. Psoriasis is an auto immune disorder of the skin resulting in hyper proliferation of the skin especially at the elbows, knees, scalp. A natural psoriasis treatment that may help one person may have no effect on another person. Psoriasis treatment requires strict dietary restrictions and life style practices.

Ayurveda believes that impurities in the blood associated with emotional factors are the cause of the disease. Psoriasis known as Sidhma Kushtam  is believed to occur due to vitiation of vata and kapha according to the ayurvedic concept. Irregular food habits, consumption of food items that cannot be eaten together for eg: diary products with fish, excessive intake of yogurt, black gram, seafood, jaggery ,sour and salted items etc can activate skin ailment. Alcohol and tobacco consumption will act as a catalyst here. Ayurveda emphasizes on the effect of stress which worsens the person affected by psoriasis.

Panchakarma treatment for psoriasis

Panchakarma, the basic body purification method is used in the treatment of psoriasis. Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis goes through several stages .

• Lepanam (application of ointments),
• Abhayangam (oil massage),
• snehapanam (taking medicated ghee),
• pizhichil (full body massage),
• avisnanam (medicated steam bath),
• sirovasti (keeping oil on head) and
• bastis (medicated enema).

Both systemic and topical treatments are used and can include drinking medicated ghee, purging and vomiting to detoxify.

• Detoxifying, by inducing vomiting (Vamana) and purgation (Virechana).
• Using medicated buttermilk dripping overhead (Dahara)
• Followed by pasting the entire body topically with a paste of medicines and mud,
• Finally medicated enemas (Basthi’s) are given for a week.

Internal medications in the form of herbal concoctions and medicated ghee has to be consumed for atleast three months.

Herbs used in Ayurvedic treatment for psoriasis

• Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and will help relive pain, reduce inflammation. Due to the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, it relieves the pain, swelling and inflammation associated with psoriasis, arthritis etc.
• Garlic (Allium sativum) – helps purify the blood and get rid of toxins
• Neem – purifies and detoxifies, helps the immune system and has antis, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It enhances immune system and neem oil is an antiseptic in itself. Will help with the redness and itching of psoriasis.
• Guggul a resin from a tree that grows in India it is anti-inflammatory and helps remove excess fats and fluids from the body. Kaishore guggul is useful remedy for psoriasis.
• Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)- Kakmachi – The juice of the leaves of the black nightshade can be applied locally on the affected regions. It helps in reducing the inflammation of the skin, and also has beneficial properties in minimizing discomfort and itching.
• Aloe vera:  The gel extracted from the medicinal herb may be affected directly on the affected parts. The anti burn property is helpful to minimize itch and gives a cooling effect on the skin. Moisturizes skin and extremely helpful for plaque psoriasis.
• Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)–The flowers of the jasmine reduces pain, inflammation and soothes itching.

HOW TO REMOVE STRETCH MARKS NATURALLY

Stretch marks are caused by various reasons like sudden weight gain, losing weight, hormonal changes, puberty , pregnancy and when an individual strives for muscle building. This is experienced by few individuals only. It is very embarrassing as you need to change your dress styles, you are very conscious about stretch marks in different patterns and dark colors. Such marks tend to affect regions around abdomen, breasts, thighs, and upper arms.

Stretch marks occur due to stretching, pulling and tearing of the dermis – skins middle layer . During pregnancy itching of skin especially on the tummy is very common. It is believed that the baby within is having thick hair. Avoid scratching skin, situation will worsen with more marks. After pregnancy when skin shrinks the stretch marks become predominant. The absence of collagen fiber also results in stretch marks for few. Initially it will be in reddish or purple color and gradually fade away with time after delivery.

Stretch marks affects the skin only , there is no other health issues. Since everyone desires to look their best here are a few home remedies to follow.

• Start paying attention to your skin at the early stages only. You need to apply a good moisturizer containing Vitamin E. Almond oil can be applied as Vitamin E adds to the development of elastin and collagen content of the skin, thereby serving to ease the stretch marks.
• Lavender oil  and cocoa butter are also effective for minimizing stretch marks caused during pregnancy and lactation too.
• Try herbal alternatives, massage the affected areas regularly with oil extracts from wheat gram and olive , very effective for speedy easing out of stretch marks.
• Folic acid prescribed by most gynecologists during pregnancy and lactation also contributes majorly towards healing stretch marks.
• Regular moisturizing the skin during pregnancy will benefit to keep stretch marks far away.
• Oats is a natural scrub which minimizes stretch marks. Soak Oats for an hour and scrub over the areas
• Aloevera is rich in salicylic acid .A combination of olive oil and aloe vera in equal quantities is a good scrub and helps in removal of stretch marks.
• Remember stretch marks will totally fade away for a lucky few and will appear less significant for the people affected .
• To avoid itchy feeling of your skin take warm water bath and gently massage with oil. This will create a cover and you will get relief.
• Avoid usage of chemical creams and tubes to minimize stretch marks. The skin may react to these products and you will have irreparable damage of skin.
• Food rich in zinc, Vitamin C, protein and Vitamin K , serve to repair stretch marks. Thus citrus fruits, nuts, fish, milk, large helpings of green salad should be consumed abundantly to help ease stretch marks.
• Drink good quantity of water to keep body hydrated. It helps keep skin moisturized and minimize stretch marks.
• A home remedy for stretch marks goes as follows. Mix a pinch of turmeric in 10 ml of pure coconut oil. Apply this on stretch marks. The same remedy is recommended by ayurveda acharyas.
• Application of kumkumadi lepa or kumkumadi taila also helps to reduce the stretch marks.