Norepinephrine

When it comes to cold and the flu, Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is hailed as the best remedy and preventive agent. But did you know that this could also help fight against cancer? Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is not produced by our bodies and needs to be sourced through food. It is needed for the synthesis of collagen, norepinephrine, and carnitine. Collagen is required to develop bones, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.

Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter while carnitine is a protein required for transportation of fat to the mitochondria. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that protects the body against damage caused by free radicals. In addition, it boosts the immune system and increases the body’s ability to fight infections. Ideally, an adult man should have 90mg per day while an adult woman should consume 75mg vitamin C per day.

When it comes to cancer treatment, vitamin C can act as an immune-modulator. It enhances the body’s resistance to pathogens and suppresses production of IL-18. This is a key regulator in melanomas, carcinomas and other kinds of malignant skin tumours. In the case of gastric cancers, the production of IL-18 is boosted by the vascular endothelial growth factor. In the case of breast cancer, IL-18 induces the production of transferrin. Thus, by regulating and reducing the production of IL-18, vitamin C can help reduce the risk of skin cancers, stomach cancers, and breast cancer. Dosage is key to the efficacy of Vitamin C in preventing cancer as an immune modulator.

In its reduced form, vitamin C is known as ascorbate. This has the ability to act as a prooxidant. Ascorbate in high dosages induces apoptosis in some melanomas through mitochondrial dysfunction. Similarly, a low dose of ascorbate induces cell cycle arrest of some types of cancer cells. Thus, by acting as a prooxidant, vitamin C inhibits the growth of cancer cells. This includes growth by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress, suppressing growth factors and inhibiting angiogenic factor production. It also produces hydrogen peroxide-dependent cytotoxicity in cancerous cells without affecting other healthy cells.

The efficacy of vitamin C in dealing with various types of cancer has been found to be most effective when administered intravenously. In addition, it may also be given orally. Since vitamin C is cytotoxic and does not affect other cells, the side effects of this type of cancer therapy are usually negligible.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

India is popular for its spicy food. The sheer number of whole and ground spices used in indian foods is sometimes intimidating. Each dish has its own combination of spices and its own unique flavor. The spices not just add flavor to your food but they also have many health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, many spices are good for your health. Some of the spices also improve your metabolic rate and help in losing weight. Here is a list of indian spices that help your body to burn more fat. So, spice up your dishes!
Cinnamon

According to a recent study, cinnamon may boost your metabolism. This sweet, fragrant spice also regulates your blood pressure. It lowers level of total cholesterol, bad cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients. Cinnamon increases the metabolism of glucose by around 20 times. This spice will help you lose weight faster.

How to use?

You can prepare cinnamon, honey and lemon drink- boil a pinch of cinnamon in a cup of water. Sieve and add a tablespoon of honey and squeeze some lemon into it. 

1. Turmeric

The pungent, yellow spice is known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic and anti-fungal properties. It also helps you lose excess weight. The spice ups your body heat and this can result in improved metabolism.

How to use?

Use it in your curries, chicken and in milk to gain the health benefits of turmeric.

2. Ginger

The spicy ginger regulates your blood sugar levels and helps prevent an increase in the level of glucose. Like turmeric, ginger has thermogenic or fat-burning properties. You can add it to your stir-fried vegetables or tea or chicken. It improves the taste and helps you in weight loss.

How to use?

Prepare a jeera ginger drink.

Boil a tsp of jeera and some crushed ginger in a glass of water. Boil till it starts reducing, sieve it and drink after 30mins of lunch and dinner to ease digestion.

3. Black pepper

Black pepper has a pungent flavor, thanks to the presence of the substance known as piperine and this substance also prevent new fat cell formation. The bioavailability of other foods is also increased by black pepper. It makes the food not only tasty but also healthy.

If you eat fresh pepper, and begins to perspire, that’s the pepper helping your body to get rid of excess water and toxins, but you need to control consumption, a pinch with your food (one meal) is enough.

How to use?

4. Black pepper tea.

Easy to prepare and the best way to consume black pepper for weight loss.

You can use ginger, lemon, honey, tulsi, cinnamon, or green tea bags to prepare the tea. Use 1/2-1 tsp freshly ground black pepper and drink it before breakfast.

Regular consumption will not only help you in losing weight but also improve your skin and prevent gut problems.

Caution

Do not consume too much as it may cause gastrointestinal problems, burning sensation in eyes, stomach irritation. If you feel uneasy, stop use of black pepper immediately.

5. Garlic

Adding garlic to your diet will help you burn more fat and lose weight faster. Try to use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder or granules.

Here’s how it works

• Garlic stimulates the satiety hormone which reduces binge eating, sugar cravings, junk food, and oily stuff.
• It releases the norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter which boosts metabolism.
• The allicin present in it lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and insulin levels.
• Garlic inhibits the process breaking down stored fats.
• It is a powerful detoxifier and effective diuretic.
• It contains trace minerals (sulfur, selenium, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron), amino acids and vitamins a, c, and e.
• It helps to dissolve blood clots that lead to heart stroke.
• It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
• It helps to remove excess mucus from the body.

How to use?

• Squeeze juice of 1 lemon in a cup of water.
• Chew 3 garlic cloves followed by the lemon water.
• Or add crush the garlic cloves, stir in the lemon water and drink.
• Repeat the process every morning.

These spices will help you to shed those extra kilos but you also need to change your lifestyle to a healthier one and should have a healthy diet.

Life is constant game of changes and people who can adapt to it and move on generally tend to find their pockets of happiness. From bad finances to lack of love to a near ones loss, each of us constantly face struggles that can leave us drained and depressed. People often work on these external factors to find their happiness. Those who suffer from depression as an illness though find it taking over multiple spheres of their lives disabling them from doing routine tasks with ease. Depression, like other diseases, can also have a biological origin. 

Several theories concerning the biologically based cause of depression have been suggested over the years. Simply put, chemical imbalance in the brain can be a trigger to depression. As the 'command center' of our body, the brain uses a number of chemicals as messengers to communicate with other parts of itself and with the nervous system. These chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters are released and received by the brain's nerve cells called neurons. Neurons are constantly communicating with each other by way of exchanging neurotransmitters. This communication system is essential to all of the brain's functions.

Among the biological causes of depression, the most prominent and widely researched is the monoamine hypothesis. The three main monomine triggers of imbalances that trigger depression are neurotransmitters called serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Serotonin regulates functions like sleep, aggression, eating, sexual behavior, and mood. Similarly, the catecholamine hypothesis suggests that a deficiency of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (also known as noradrenaline) in certain areas of the brain was responsible for creating depressed mood. Norepinephrine helps our bodies to recognize and respond to stressful situations. 

Dopamine plays in important role in helping each of us seek out our 'high' or 'pleasure' from rewards. Low dopamine levels may in part explain why depressed people don't derive the same sense of pleasure out of activities or people that they did before becoming depressed.

Another leading cause of clinical depression is focused on the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for making hormones and releasing them into the blood to regulate processes like reaction to stress and sexual development. Hormonal irregularities may lead to depressive symptoms like loss of appetite and sleep. It is further observed that those who have particular endocrine disorders sometimes develop depression, and some individuals who are depressed develop endocrine problems despite having healthy glands. 

In a research done among depressed individuals, over half had a hormone called cortisol in excess in their body and abnormal times of secretion. 

Depression can have many triggers and origins and it is important to see the right doctor who can treat the cause, triggers and symptoms in addition to the disease. Depression has a genetic predisposition. Also, the faulty thought pattern alters the physiology by upsetting the hormonal balance. Psychological professional help should be a priority in depression and its role should not be under emphasized.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Love ’em or hate ’em, oysters are a staple of cuisines all over the world. Some people shudder at the thought of slurping down the slimy inside. Others can’t get enough of the briny flavor. 

Sexual Health:

The zinc found in oysters is why they are considered an age-old aphrodisiac! Zinc helps the body produce testosterone, a hormone critical in regulating women’s and men’s libido and sexual function. In men, research suggests that this mineral improves sperm count and swimming ability. In women, zinc may help ovaries, and therefore help in balancing and regulating the combination of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Immune Boosting:

These mollusks pack a solid dose of both vitamin E and C. They also contain various other minerals that help our immune system. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of oysters also protect against free radicals, which are released during cellular metabolism.

Heart Health: 

Oysters positively influence heart health. They reduce the plaque that accumulates on arteries by inhibiting it from binding to the artery walls and blood vessels. Moreover, the high magnesium and potassium content in oysters helps lower blood pressure and relaxes the blood vessels. The vitamin E increases the flexibility and strength of cellular membranes.

Good for Eyes:

Oysters top the list of natural sources of zinc, the mineral that ensures that the eye’s pigment is adequately produced in the retina. The more zinc, the stronger your eyesight, because reduced pigmentation is often related to a reduction in the central visual field of vision.

Improves Brain Function:

Oysters are a rich source of B12, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and iron, benefiting both brain function. Studies have shown that low iron in the brain reduces the ability of a person to concentrate while zinc deficiency can affect the memory.

Good for the Skin:

The powerful mineral zinc plays a big role in skin repair by helping create and boost collagen. Collagen is crucial for the structural support in skin and reduces sagging. It also helps maintain stronger nails, and keeps scalp and hair healthy.

Healthy vascular system and blood vessels:

A serving of oysters contains 16-18% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C  helps fight cardiovascular disease by activating the coenzymes the body needs to make norepinephrine- a chemical essential for nerve function. They are also high in omega–3 fatty acids, potassium, and magnesium which are known to reduce the  risk of heart attack, stroke, and also effective at lowering blood pressure.

Energy Boosting:

Oysters contain a good amount of B12 vitamins, which boost energy and turn the food we eat into energy. Recent studies suggest anywhere from 15-40% of Americans don’t have adequate levels of B12 for optimal health. Oysters also contain iron, which helps the body transport oxygen to individual cells giving an energy boost.

Depression is more than just feeling low or down. It is a serious illness that is caused by various changes in the brain chemistry. There are a lot of factors that cause depression, which range from genetics to change in hormone level, stress, grief, medical conditions and other life circumstances. All these can lead to depression and that is something which does not go away on its own. However, there are a few efficient ways through which patients can deal with depression. These are as follows:

1. Exercise: Taking a brisk walk for fifteen to twenty minutes every day can be very healthy, not only for your body,  but also for your mental health as well. Dancing, jogging, cycling and yoga are alternatives as well. Although, people who are depressed might not feel like doing any of those things, but one should try to do them anyway. Once a person gets into the exercising routine, they will start noticing the change in their mood. Deep breathing, yoga exercises and meditation can also help people feel better and less depressed.
2. Anti-depressants: Three brain chemicals that are responsible for handling your mood are norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. During depression, the brain circuits that make use of these chemicals stop working properly. In this case, antidepressants can be very useful. These tweak the chemicals that run through the brain and help improve your overall mood.
3. Psychotherapy: It is a method through which therapists find out a person’s everyday stressors. This therapy is a powerful treatment for depression. Combining psychotherapy with medications can be even better and more effective. This also makes the symptoms easier to take. When a person talks about his feelings and problems with a stranger, it can help him or her release certain amount of stress.
4. Social support: Talking to a friend or attending group therapies has proven to be beneficial. However, it is important that the person you talk to is someone who you will feel comfortable around. Therefore, it could be someone you know or someone who empathises with you. This is possible either with your close ones or group therapies where the people you talk with, have been going through the same problem you have.
5. Meditation: Calmness and meditation can help you channelize your positive energy and thoughts over the negative ones. It can help a person see new perspective, develop forgiveness and compassion. Much like exercise, meditating briefly can help you gain immediate effects. It helps a person get over depression. This happens over time. One might not be successful in releasing their stress at once. It is a process that takes time.

The treatment that you get for your depression will depend on the kind of depression that you have. Some might get psychotherapy while others might get antidepressants or for some, exercise could be enough.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!