Potassium is one of the seven essential macrominerals found in a variety of foods, including legumes, fish, and leafy vegetables. The mineral plays a vital role in various body functions, such as regulating water balance, heart functioning, and muscle contractions.

Potassium deficiency can lead to weakness, ;fatigue, and constipation. It is therefore important that you include potassium-rich foods in your daily ;diet.

However, keep in mind that taking in more than the required amount of potassium can do more harm than good to your body.

How much should you take in and why?

As per the world health organization, the recommended daily intake of potassium for adults is between 3500mg and 4700mg, as it is safe to consume. When taken in recommended measures, a potassium-rich diet can have some impressive benefits on your overall health. It may reduce or prevent a host of health problems.


	
	Lower high blood pressure
	
	
	Helps eliminate salt insensitivity
	
	
	Reduces your chances of getting a ;stroke by 7%
	
	
	Helps prevent osteoporosis and minimizes the risk of bone fractures
	
	
	Alleviates the risk of ;kidney stones
	


Natural foods are the best source of this mineral. However, you may also turn to supplements, as per your healthcare provider s recommendation.

How much is too much?

Despite its health benefits, potassium should be consumed within the prescribed limit. Going overboard can cause excess potassium to be stored in your blood, and your kidneys may not be able to filter the excess amount   this condition could possibly lead to hyperkalemia. If your potassium levels are between 5.1mmol/l and 6.0mmol/l, you might be at risk of hyperkalemia. Higher than 6.0mmol/l level is considered dangerous   you will need to monitor and manage the condition in order to avoid the risk.

Potassium is essential for bodily functions. A healthy diet and overall eating patterns are important for maintaining good health and keeping illnesses at bay. Be sure to meet your recommended daily intake and avoid exceeding 4700mg of potassium daily. If you are looking to include supplements, talk to your doctor and make sure you stick to the prescribed dosage.

How Safe Is Potassium For Your Health?

Your body needs some cholesterol to produce hormones and vitamins that help in digestion. Two types of lipoproteins   ldl cholesterol and hdl cholesterol   are responsible for carrying cholesterol to and from the cells in your body.

Hdl or high-density cholesterol is good cholesterol. It carries bad cholesterol away from the arteries and other body parts back to the liver to be processed by the liver.

Ldl or low-density cholesterol, also known as the bad cholesterol, contributes to fatty build-ups within the arteries. This results in narrowing of the arteries and increases your risk of cardiovascular diseases like pad, heart attack, or even stroke.

Although there are medications to bring down ldl cholesterol levels, your doctor may recommend using therapeutic lifestyle changes to see how well your cholesterol levels can be managed without medications.

How to reduce  bad  cholesterol naturally

You can lower ldl cholesterol levels naturally with the following measures  

Diet and weight loss

Being obese or overweight not only increases the odds of developing high ldl levels but also contributes to cardiac diseases and chronic conditions. Studies suggest that losing even a little weight may help reduce ldl levels.

Your diet plays an important role in losing excess fat and maintaining ideal body weight. Eating the right kind of food   such as those that contain a good amount of monosaturated fats, phytosterols and soluble fibre   can help lower harmful ldl cholesterol and increase the levels of hdl cholesterol in the blood. Focus on eating whole grains, fruits and leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and fatty fish.

Exercise more often

Exercising regularly, in moderate amounts, can bring down your cholesterol levels and promote weight loss. Any form of cardiovascular activity, such as cycling, running, swimming and jogging benefits your heart health. You may also turn to other forms of exercise   weight training or yoga   as they also work to decrease the levels of bad cholesterol.

Quit smoking

Smoking causes a number of chemical changes in your body. Cigarette smoke increases bad cholesterol (ldl) and triglycerides levels. This leads to the accumulation of waxy plaque, which clogs the arteries. At the same time, smoking reduces the level of good cholesterol   the one that prevents the formation of plaque in your blood. Quit smoking and turn to a healthier lifestyle to see a difference in the levels of your ldl cholesterol.

Limit alcohol consumption

According to studies, heavy alcohol consumption or drinking more than what is considered moderate significantly increases bad cholesterol, which again raises triglyceride levels and ldl cholesterol.

Lifestyle changes are the natural and first line of treatment for people with high cholesterol levels. However, if your doctor suspects these levels could put you at risk of other medical conditions, he/she might recommend medications to manage bad cholesterol.

Reduce LDL Cholesterol With These Easy Steps

Hepatitis is a condition that affects the liver by causing inflammation which is a common outcome resulting from a viral infection. While different types of hepatitis diseases are caused by different causes, there are some reasons like medications, toxins, alcohol, and drugs that are typically known.

 

Types

The five common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis a, b, c, d, and e.

 ;


	
	Hepatitis a
	


Hepatitis a is the result of an infection caused by the hepatitis a virus. This type of hepatitis is an acute disease.

 


	
	Hepatitis b
	


The hepatitis b virus causes hepatitis b. This is often a chronic disease that lasts longer.

 ;


	
	Hepatitis c
	


Hepatitis c comes from the hepatitis c virus. It is one of the most common bloodborne infections in the world. It is a long-lasting condition.

 


	
	Hepatitis d
	


This is a not so commonly found form of hepatitis that only occurs in hepatitis b infected people. This virus not only causes liver inflammation but also cannot be contracted without an existing hbv infection.

 ;


	
	Hepatitis e
	


Hepatitis e is waterborne. Hepatitis e virus infection is responsible for it. It is generally acute but can be severely chronic for pregnant women.


 

Causes of viral hepatitis

It is true that different types of viral hepatitis infections are caused by distinct modes of transmission. Here are the causes of a hepatitis infection:

 ;


	
	Hepatitis a- when a person is exposed to the hepatitis a virus through food or water.
	


 


	
	Hepatitis b- when an individual comes in contact with hepatitis b virus through the transmission of bodily fluids like blood, semen, etc.
	


 ;


	
	Hepatitis c- when someone gets infected with the hepatitis c virus through the contamination of bodily fluids.
	


 


	
	Hepatitis d- when a person is exposed to hepatitis d virus-infected blood, it causes this disease.
	


 ;


	
	Hepatitis e- when a person comes in contact with the hepatitis e virus through water or food.
	


 

Causes of non-viral hepatitis

Although hepatitis is commonly caused due to an infection, other factors can also be reasons to cause hepatitis.

 ;

Alcohol

Excessive alcohol can lead to liver damage, causing inflammation. It can also be called alcoholic hepatitis. The alcohol impacts the liver cells directly. Moreover, it can also cause cirrhosis or even permanent liver failure.

 

Autoimmune system response

In rare cases, the immune system of a person attacks the liver itself. It leads to inflammation that can be mild to severe according to the infection. Moreover, it s more common in females than in males.

How Is Hepatitis Caused And Some Common Types?

Headaches are extremely common   we all are familiar with mild or persistent throbbing ;pain. A number of conditions can result in headaches. Some of these include  


	
	Fatigue
	
	
	Lack of sleep
	
	
	Stress/tension
	
	
	An underlying condition, like migraine ;or sinusitis
	


Recent studies have revealed a lesser-known cause for headaches   ;hypertension, or what is commonly referred to as high blood pressure.

The connection between hypertension and headaches

Hypertension occurs when the force of the blood circulation in the arteries is elevated   this particular condition can lead to steady pain throughout the head, particularly at the back of the head or in forehead.

Hypertension-induced headaches usually affect both sides of the head, particularly the temple regions. However, a person may not even realize that the headaches he/she is experiencing are induced by high blood pressure.

Since hypertension is an asymptotic condition, it is often referred to as  the silent killer . When blood pressure rises above 180/110, the condition is known as  hypertensive emergency .

Different types of hypertension leading to headaches

There are three types of hypertension conditions that are followed by mild to severe headaches:


	
	Malignant hypertension- this refers to a sudden, rapid increase in blood pressure that calls for medical attention. This is more common among young adults and women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.
	
	
	Idiopathic ;intracranial hypertension- it is characterized by elevated blood pressure around the brain. Symptoms include vision problems, nausea, ;shoulder pain, thumping noise in the ears, and severe headaches.
	
	
	Hypertensive encephalopathy- this is an extreme condition of high blood pressure, which leads to swelling in the brain. A person with this condition experiences severe headache that becomes worse.
	


Uncontrolled hypertension can be dangerous   headaches induced by such a condition could also become frequent or worsen over time. However, with proper medications and certain lifestyle changes, high blood pressure can be kept under the normal measure. Once your blood pressure normalizes, the headaches will disappear in no time.

How Are Hypertension And Headaches Related?

Thyroid cancer refers to the type of ;cancer that originates in the thyroid gland. Cancer develops when the cells in your thyroid gland begin multiplying uncontrollably to form malignant tumours.

What leads to the development of cancer in the thyroid glands is not clearly known. However, a combination of environmental factors and genetics could be a leading cause of cancer.

Thyroid cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women, and usually affects those in their 20s and early 30s.

Types of thyroid cancer

Four types of thyroid cancer are prevalent, which are  


	
	Papillary thyroid cancer   ;this is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Cancer typically develops in one of the two lobes in the thyroid gland, and gradually spreads to the lymph nodes in your neck.
	
	
	Follicular thyroid cancer   ;the second most common type is the follicular thyroid cancer. Here the disease spreads to other body parts and organs, like the bones or lungs rather than the lymph nodes.
	
	
	Medullary cancer   cancer starts from the c-cells of the thyroid gland, which usually produce a hormone called ;calcitonin. The disease can spread to the lungs, liver, or lymph nodes even before a nodule is discovered.
	
	
	Anaplastic thyroid cancer   this form of cancer is rare but aggressive. It develops from an existing follicular or papillary cancer and spreads to other parts of the body faster than any other type of thyroid cancer.
	


Symptoms to watch out for

The symptoms of thyroid cancer depend on its type. Although there are no observable symptoms in the initial stage, you might be able to spot some changes in your body as cancer progresses. These symptoms include:


	
	A lump or mass in the neck that can be felt through the skin
	
	
	Change in voice   ;hoarseness
	
	
	Pain in the throat and neck
	
	
	Difficulty in swallowing
	
	
	Swelling of the lymph nodes in your neck
	


Diagnosis and treatment

The following tests/procedures can help detect thyroid cancer early  


	
	Blood test
	
	
	Ultrasound
	
	
	Biopsy
	
	
	Imaging tests
	
	
	Genetic testing
	
	
	Pet scan
	


Once cancer is diagnosed, appropriate treatment will be prescribed depending on the stage. Primary treatment options include  


	
	Chemotherapy ;  medications are infused through veins to kill cancer cells
	
	
	Radiation therapy   high-energy radio beams are directed to destroy cancer cells
	
	
	Radioactive ;iodine   large doses of radioactive iodine are given orally
	
	
	Targeted therapy   medications are given to attack certain vulnerabilities in the cancer cells
	
	
	Surgery ;  complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland or the lymph nodes
	


Prior to the treatment, your doctor will discuss the treatment plan specific to your diagnosis. Thyroid cancer is curable if detected at the right time. Therefore, do not lose hope and consult a specialist as early as possible.

Thyroid Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

While yoga is mainly considered to be a physical process that unites our spiritual conscience, there's more to it. Meditation, prayer, breathwork, and rituals are some self-disciplinary practices that make up the entirety of yoga.

 

Benefits

Apart from physical well-being, yoga also ensures that your overall health gets a boost and you feel rejuvenated. Some scientific benefits of yoga are-

 ;


	
	Increases flexibility
	


Yoga offers many asanas and styles to choose from and almost all of them contribute to improving flexibility. Yoga acts as a catalyst to increase mobility in older people.


	
	Relieves stress
	


Studies suggest that the second most cited reason for people to practice yoga is that it releases stress. Science proves that yoga helps lower the stress and tension levels in individuals.


	
	Boosts mental health
	


Some studies have observed that yoga is an excellent practice to treat major depressive disorder (mdd). Both movement-based and breathing-based yoga therapies are helpful to improve mental health.


	
	Reduces inflammation
	


Reports suggest that yoga reduces inflammation in the body. As a result, it prevents any chronic disease.


	
	Increases strength
	


Some styles and asanas of yoga can also be strength building. Yoga s effectiveness at improving physical strength has been suggested by many reports.


	
	Reduces anxiety
	


There are numerous anxiety disorders that need care such as anxiety disorders, social anxiety, and phobias. Yoga in the form of meditation helps in reducing the symptoms of the same.


	
	Boosts immunity
	


Excessive stress affects your immune system directly. One is more susceptible to diseases if the immunity is weak. As yoga is a proven way to relieve stress and reduce inflammation, it helps the body develop stronger immunity with time.


	
	Improves balance
	


Balance is important for performing daily movements. Yoga has shown considerable progress in improving bodily balance. Being consistent with yoga makes sure that you get long-lasting benefits as well.


	
	Cardiovascular functioning
	


Pranayama or yogic breathing greatly helps numerous systems in the body. Controlled breathing lowers the chances of change in heart rate, stroke, and more.


	
	Improves quality of sleep
	


Yoga improves the quality of sleep. It is also because of the aftereffects of the exercise. However, yoga has some qualities like mental calming and stress relief that allow a sound sleep.


	
	Boosts bone health
	


Isometric contractions in yoga provide a holistic engagement of bones. They also reverse the bone loss related to osteoporosis and osteopenia.


	
	Improves brain functioning
	


Yoga stimulates the functioning of the brain and boosts energy levels. Studies suggest that it can improve executive functioning, mental flexibility, task switching capabilities, and memory.







 

Scientific Benefits Of Yoga

Don't wait any longer, manage your AYUSH Practitioner online with a Lybrate doctor today

Consult for AYUSH Practitioner - Online and Easy!

FilterClear All

COMMON SPECIALITIES

COMMON ISSUES