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Obesity epidemic of India

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Obesity in India is on the rise. It has reached enormous proportions. As I sit and count at airports, the number of women who look obviously overweight and obese, the figures I get is 8 out of 10. And this is around same in children of all sexes and around 6 in 10 men show clearcut overweight and obesity that is obvious even to naked eye. Anthropometric measurements might reveal more of them.  What are the likely causes? I have a theory that starts analysing these cases right from the 2000s or previous century. Junk food eating and sedantry lifestyle had already given an upward push to obesity in last century. And this also gave rise to diabetes mellitus in both men and women. Hence, such mothers also had diabetes in pregnancy. Some who did not have diabetes otherwise had gestational diabetes. From 2000 to 2026 prevalence of gestational diabetes has risen in india. It has even spread to rural areas and recent national data gives a figure of 22.4% which is almost 1 in 4 pregnant mot...

If you don't like beet root, you MUST READ THIS!

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Beet root is a nutritious root vegetable with a lot of phytonutrients and consequent health benefits.  Beet root is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It has nitrates that improves blood flow and circulation and lessens blood pressure.  100 g of beet root has 43 calories. Protein is 1.6 g, carbohydrates 9.6 g and fats 0.2 g. The fiber content is 2.8 g in 100 g. Sugar is just 6.8 g.  It has plenty of micronutrients. It is rich in iron, vitamin C and B6. Additionally, it has folate, potassium, manganese, magnesium and copper. 87% of beet root is water.  Moreover, it has inorganic nitrates, betanin, and vulgaxanthin.  Beet root lowers blood pressure and risk of heart diseases. It improves stamina and exercise performance. It increases iron content and hemoglobin formation.  Thus, beet root is a healthy food option. You can have it raw or cooked or as a smoothie or juice.  But there are many who do not like the taste of beet root. Please read on to kno...

Do carbonated drinks trigger hiccups? Why?

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Carbonated drinks are soft drinks that have pressurized carbon dioxide oxide in them. Examples include coca cola, pepsi, merinda, sida, 7 up, limca etc.  When we talk a gulp of and swallow the drink, the carbon dioxide in it is released and distends the stomach. Moreover, with hurried gulping down of the drink, we also swallow air in the process. This adds to the distension.  This gastric distension causes irritation of the diaphragm muscles and nerves that cause hiccups.  Causes of stomach pain in giardiasis   The hiccups are temporary and subside soon after. 

Giardiasis: reason for stomach ache

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Giardiasis is an infectious gut condition caused by Giardia lamblia. This parasite reaches the gut via infected food and water. It attaches to the gut lining and proliferates to produce disease in the patient.  Symptoms   Giardiasis causes nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas, bloating, loose motions, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite. It interferes with nutrients absorption and if untreated can gradually cause weight loss.  Stools are pale in color, greasy and foul smelling. Loose motions are either recurrent or persistent. Heartburns are common.  Read here: Obesity in children in India  Reason for stomach ache in giardiasis  1. The pathogens invade the gut lining and cause inflammation .  2. There are muscle cramps due to the inflammatory response  3. Gas formation leads to stomach ache 4. There is absorptive disorder. Bile salts are not absorbed and there is imbalance of acid formation. Hyperacidity is common and this too causes tummy pain....