Dr. Shivani Sabharwal

When we talk about cooking, the first thing that comes to our mind is oil. A lot of oil goes into preparing various lip smacking Indian cuisines, especially the different types of fried dishes. But what happens to the leftover oil? Many times, the used oil find its way back into the pan, being reused for the preparation of another delicacy, while the approach may be economical, trying to save a few bucks at the cost of your family’s health is not a very wise decision. Reusing the same oil for cooking may have deleterious consequences on the health. In this article, we will discuss why you should refrain from using the same oil for cooking.

1. Research suggests that using the same oil repeatedly leads to the generation of free radicals. The oxidative damage triggered by the free radicals can wreak havoc, giving rise to inflammatory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and in some cases, even cancer.
2. The free radicals can speed up the skin aging process.
3. In the long run, the free radicals may give rise to Parkinson’s Disease or even Alzheimer’s Disease.
4. Every cooking oil comes with a smoke point (a temperature that indicates the breakpoint of an oil). As compared to refined oil, vegetable oil has a relatively higher smoke point. However, when the oil is reused, there is a significant drop in the smoke point. Heating the oil beyond the smoke point can be harmful. The oil undergoes oxidation and releases free radicals along with toxic compounds such as HNE (4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal).

Things to remember, if as a last resort you have to reuse the same oil for cooking

1. Oil should be cooled before storing. When you're finished frying, turn off the heat as soon as possible and allow the oil to cool down completely before straining. Pour the used oil through a fine-meshed sieve lined with a couple layers of cheese cloth and then finally store it. Not every oil can be refrigeraed. Refrigeration makes oil cloudy but it doesn't affect the texture. Before using the refrigeraed oil,  it should be kept in room temperature.
2. Many times, the used oil is not strained properly before storing. As a result, some of the food particles remain in the oil. If the same is not refrigerated, the oil may facilitate the growth of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. The toxins produced by this bacteria can give rise to a critical and life-threatening food poisoning condition known as Botulism. 
3. Thus, strain the oil with care. Never store (use an airtight container for the storage) hot oil in the fridge. Allow the oil cool first before transferring it into a container.
4. Do not reuse the oil if it has changed its color or texture. An oil that appears greasy, dark and foul-smelling can harm the body immensely if reused.
5. Oils with a high smoke point such as mustard oil, rice bran oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil can be reused. However, to play it safe, avoid reusing the oil more than twice.
6. Olive oil (especially the virgin and extra virgin oil) comes with a low smoke point and should not be reused.
7. Refrain from reusing refined oil and animal fats as they also have a low smoke point.

Though with precaution the oil can be reused in cooking, do not make this an everyday practice. Better to be safe now than to be sorry later.

Leucorrhea or excessive discharge per vagina can be a troublesome problem for many women. At certain times in the menstrual cycle the vaginal discharge is normally increased as in mid-cycle and just before the periods. This is normal . However if the discharge is smelly or excessive warranting use of sanitary towels or panty liners or associated with vulval/ vaginal itching it needs to be investigated.

Abnormal vaginal discharge associated with the above symptoms may be due to local infection. It may also be related to poor health, mal-nutrition, constipation, worm infestation , anaemia, local trauma and allergy to local soaps and deodrants.

If the discharge is persistent it is very important to consult a Gynaecologist who may prescribe antibiotics, creams, pessaries and sometimes get swabs done.

It is important to keep the area clean using plain water and dry One should avoid any form of soap/ dettol/ detergent and powders and perfumes in that area as it is very sensitive. Also general health should be improved and anaemia and mal-nutrion should be corrected. Deworming may be required. A local wash like V-wash can be applied once in a while locally that helps maintaining local pH. Drinking adequate water daily is also very important.

As the mercury levels soar higher, it is time to get creative to keep yourself cool this summer. To keep yourself hydrated and active, you can include fresh seasonal fruits in your daily diet.
Here are some nutritious and refreshing fruits that help you in fighting the effects of the hot summer and health problems that accompany them:
1. Melons - Watermelon has high water content that helps you to stay hydrated and refreshed during summer. Melons contain lycopene that helps in protecting the skin against sun damage. Muskmelon is another healthy summer fruit that helps to improve the body's immunity as it is rich in potassium, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C.
2. Oranges - A juicy orange is a perfect thirst quencher in the summer season. Orange is rich in all varieties of vitamins except vitamin K. Oranges contain a large amount of vitamin C, folate, and thiamin that provide natural protection against the harmful UV rays, help in increasing the production of red blood cells in your body and also reduce stress level. They also help in curing muscle pains and cramps. Beta-carotene, lutein, and cryptoxanthin are present in oranges that help to keep away infections and cancer and also protect the eye from macular degeneration.

3. Mango - Rightly called the king of fruits, mango is loaded with high amounts of selenium, iron, and fiber. It is also an outstanding source of vitamins C, vitamin A and minerals like phosphorus, calcium, and potassium. The cholesterol levels in the body are lowered by high levels of vitamin C, fiber, and pectin. The potassium content of the fruit helps in controlling high blood pressure and heart rate. The fruit also has properties that help in boosting your immunity.
4. Papaya - Papaya is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and phytochemicals. These have anti-cancerous, anti-bacterial and anti-stress properties. Papain is an enzyme found in this fruit, which helps in curing ingestion and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The antioxidants present in papaya help in slowing down the ageing process in women, provide a fresh glow to the skin and help in weight loss.
5. Grapes - Grapes help in losing weight by reducing the capacity of the cells to store more fat. Grapes also help in protecting the body against the damaging effects of radiation, cleansing your blood, preventing degenerative nerve disease and boosting cardiovascular health.

There are many health benefits of donating blood which include good health, reducing the risk of cancer along with hemochromatosis. Moreover, blood donation is good for the normal functioning of pancreas and liver. With the blood donation, an individual can improve the cardiovascular health as well as reduce the risk of obesity.

Every day blood transfusions take place saving millions of life on earth. And the best part is that blood donation is good for the donor. It is crucial for the blood donation to take place in a medical facility under the supervision of experts. The donors must ensure that they are in optimum health conditions for avoiding any health issues after the transfusion is completed.

Benefits of donating blood:
There are numerous benefits of blood donation, and some of them include-

1. Hemochromatosis: The health benefits of blood donation reduce the risk of developing hemochromatosis. It is a disorder which arises owing to excessive absorption of iron in the human body. This condition can be inherited through the genes or may also be triggered by uncontrolled alcoholism, chronic anaemia and other health problems. One should take part in blood donation on a regular basis for the reduction of iron overload.
2. Anti cancer health benefits: Donating blood at regular intervals can also lower the risk of cancer. After donating blood, the iron stored in the body is maintained at healthy levels. The reduction in the iron concentrations in the body is also connected with reduced risk of cancer and thus helps keep cancer at bay.
3. Good for liver and heart: Blood donation is useful for reducing the risk of heart and liver disorders which are triggered by the iron overload in the body. Only a limited amount of iron can be absorbed by the body, and the rest starts accumulating in the heart, pancreas and lungs. This can pave the way for liver failure and cirrhosis, damage to the pancreas and complications in the heart such as irregular heart rhythms. The blood donation helps in maintaining the optimum iron levels as well as reduces the risk of different ailments.
4. Helps in weight loss: Regular blood donation also helps in weight of the donors. This is great for those who are overweight and obese. It is advantageous for those who are suffering from cardiovascular and other health disorders.
5. Production of new cells: After the donation of blood, the body starts working for replenishing the loss of blood. This helps in stimulating the production of new blood cells and in turn aids in the maintenance of good health.

It is imperative to note here that to enjoy the benefits of blood donation, an individual has to wait for eight weeks after a session of whole blood donation. Also, it is crucial to wait for 16 weeks in between the power red blood donation. One should always consult with the doctor to be sure that he or she is fit for donating blood and should avoid it while suffering from any disorders or infections.