Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

Many health conditions are worsened by excess weight, and the stress of extra weight on joints can lead to painful conditions, particularly of the knees and feet. It makes sense, then, that losing weight often helps to relieve some kinds of pain.

Finding an eating plan that is healthful and enjoyable will help you stick with your weight loss goals for the long term and maintain any weight loss you manage to achieve.

To manage your weight, follow these simple rules to cut back on calories:

As for physical activity, you'll find that many forms of exercise are more difficult for people with hip or knee pain. Exercises that are easy on the joints include swimming and water aerobics. Talk with your doctor or physical therapist, who can recommend other ways to incorporate physical activity without making your joint pain worse.

There is no magic answer as to how much weight you need to lose in order to make a difference. As few as 10 pounds or 10% of your overall weight might help, but this can vary from one individual to another.

For more tips on relieving pain naturally, check out Pain Relief Without Drugs or Surgery, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.

Image: Natnan Srisuwan/Getty Images

Disclaimer:As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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Losing weight can help you lose the pain, too - Harvard Health

There are plenty of people who pick up a food product at the store and immediately turn the container around to see what the nutritional label looks like. Per serving, how many calories does it have? What about carbohydrates and fiber? What kind of numbers do the fats have?

Its all relative, depending on what kind of food plan you might be on, or if youre trying to cater to a specific type of workout routine.

One study recently found that instead of just listing the details that we see now, we should also be able to see the physical activity calorie equivalent, or the PACE.

PACE labels show consumers how many calories are in a food item, but they also list what kind of and how long an exercise someone would need to engage in to burn that food off.

For example, a figure provided by a study in the United States Library of Medicine shows that after eating a regular burger, one would need to walk 2.6 miles to burn off said burger.

[Click here to see an example of a PACE label.]

The values on PACE labels were pulled from an activity table for an average 160-pound adult with a guesstimated walking pace of 30 minutes per mile.

In the study, a few things worth mentioning about those who participated. The people were:

The participants were randomly assigned to one of four generic fast-food menus: No label; calories only; calories and minutes; or calories and miles necessary to walk to burn off the calories.

The results were, those who ordered from:

[Read the full study by clicking here.]

During the study, participants said PACE labeling would not only influence their food choices, but the likelihood of them engaging in physical activity.

In conclusion, researchers found that PACE labels could certainly be helpful in reducing the number of calories ordered in meals, as well as adding the benefit of encouraging exercise.

Do you have more opinions on PACE labels? Wed love to hear them in the comment section below.

Link:
Could different labeling on nutritional menu be key to weight loss? - KPRC Click2Houston

Everyone knows that losing weight can be tough. Well, imagine setting a weight-loss goal, achieving it, and then going on vacation. How do you maintain that weight loss and withstand the temptations inherent in an open bar on a cruise or an all-you-can-eat-buffet of Italian pastas?

It ain't easy, friends, but that's exactly the scenario Jackie Lanteri Ionno encountered recently. As a member of the Cooking Light Diet Community on Facebook, she revealed that she'd lost 12 pounds preparing for a cruise. She wanted to know if anyone had helpful tips for maintaining that weight loss as she floated serenely in the Caribbean. Luckily for her, Cooking Light Diet members knew exactly how to help. They provided her with countless helpful tips, and we've compiled the 9 best below.

The next time you go on vacation and want to maintain weight loss, follow this advice for success.

Firstly, let's not lose sight of the fact that you're trying to maintain your weight loss on vacation. That means you've lost weight. Whether you've hit your goal or you've just made strides, pat yourself on the back! It's not easy to do, but you did it. Appreciate how hard you worked to get here, and don't stress maintaining so much that you don't enjoy where you areon vacation. If you've lost weight already, you know you'll be able to do it again. As Cooking Light Diet member Tammy Trindel Gillespie told Jackie, "You earned the right to NOT even think about what you eat for a week. Enjoy!!!"

Just because you're trying to maintain a weight loss doesn't mean you need to turn into Jillian Michaels while you're on vacation. Remember tip #1: You're on vacation. That doesn't mean you have to say no to every single opportunity to eat dessert, or that you need to wake up at dawn and run a 5k. You know yourself better than anyone, so don't assume that vacation is the perfect opportunity for you to set unrealistic expectations just to maintain weight loss.

Siam Pukkato / EyeEm/Getty Images

Whether vacation takes you on a cruise ship, to a sun-kissed beach or a remote mountain getaway, you don't have to revert into an invertebrate and slug around everywhere. Take the stairs! Tell escalators and elevators you're not interested in convenience; you need movement! This was resoundingly the #1 piece of advice Cooking Light Diet Community members gave to Jackie about her pending vacation. Wake up early, get some steps in to get the blood flowing, and start your day off already feeling great about maintaining.

Pardon the turn of phrase, but if you're like the author, you may find it difficult to not completely go nuts at every vacation mealtime (and it's not the end of the world if you do!). But if you're hellbent on maintaining your weight loss, be selective on how you choose to indulge on vacation. Alicia Shapiro Miller recommends choosing one meal a day to splurge on. Maybe it means forgoing breakfast pastries because you plan on doing dessert with every dinner, or you know you'll be sipping lots of Miami Vices when you're poolside so you're going to skip desserts altogether. Choose your vacation vices wisely and make it that much easier to maintain a healthy balance.

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This tip adds another layer to #4. In lieu of picking splurges, you could also choose to go for a heavy, nutritious breakfast in the morning and opt out of lunch in favor of some light afternoon snacks instead. Cooking Light Diet member Sandi Chiu says a protein-packed omelet in the mornings can power you through hours of sightseeing. So you can front-load your meals for early in the day, or you can choose to do some intermittent fasting. Block out a time of day you know you'll be most susceptible to calorie-heavy temptations, and intermittently fast during that time. Not only will this help you maintain during vacation, but if you've never tried it before, it could be a great trial run for when you get back to the real world. But do NOT do this if it means you're going against tip #2.

Is there a buffet available on your vacation? If it's a cruise, the answer is yes. If the answer is yes, read these wise words from Cooking Light Diet member and Director of Product Management Saska Albright and take them to heart. "Take the small salad plate at the buffet. It really does make a difference!" If you're not on a cruise, eat what you want, but limit yourself to what looks like a proper portion size for one. If you're loading your plate down with enough food to feed the offensive line of an NFL team, you're, uh, not going to maintain that weight loss.

Carsten Schanter / EyeEm/Getty Images

This tip is as straightforward as it sounds and comes courtesy of Cooking Light Diet member Linda Sines Owens. Eat lots of fresh fruit on your vacation. Veggies, too, but on vacation fruit is a viable alternative to, say, ice cream and cheesecake when you're looking for a sweet-tooth fix.

Tom Werner/Getty Images

Say what you will about 1980s fashion, but that decade did give us the Care Bears, who taught us this most valuable of lessons: Sharing is caring. Make it easier to maintain your weight loss by indulging and sharing that indulgence with a loved one or friend. Example: Order that Baked Alaska, eat half, and then pass the plate so that someone else can enjoy it, too. This creates shared experiences ("Do you remember that divine cheesecake we had in Albuquerque?") and ensures that you don't lose momentum while you're on vacation.

Before going on vacation, please recite this aloud at least 5 times:"I'm going on vacation. I will not stress the small stuff. I will enjoy myself, because I AM GOING ON VACATION."Felt good, didn't it? Seriously, take this piece of advice from Andrea R. Saunders to heart: Don't expend mental energy constantly harping over maintaining your weight loss. Focus instead on relaxing, enjoying yourself, and taking advantage of being unplugged from your day-to-day. Even if you come back weighing more than you did when you left, so what? Life's too short to not enjoy a vacation. It'll be over before you know it, too (applies to both life and vacations), so don't focus on things that will cause you undue stress and anxiety.

Thanks to these tips and more, Jackie informed us she didn't gain a single pound on her cruise! To see some of the other tips she was given, join our Cooking Light Diet Community on Facebook.

Let us help you lose weight and then maintain that weight loss no matter where you go on vacation! Subscribe to the Cooking Light Diet today and start receiving your customizable meal plans.

Originally posted here:
9 Ways You Can Maintain Weight Loss on Vacation and Still Enjoy Yourself - Yahoo Lifestyle

Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight is no easy task, as most people who have tried to lose weight know.

Of course, the healthy way of losing weight tends to last, which is why its essential to avoid fads or extremes.

Here are a few tips for getting to and maintaining a healthy weight.

Make gradual changes

When your focus is on a number, its easy to get frustrated, so instead focus on your health. Doing so has proven successful for patients at the Weight Loss & Wellness Center at Oklahoma Heart Institute.

We take a comprehensive approach to first empower our participants to take control of their environment while adding physical activity, record keeping, and planning behaviors, center supervisor Tom Guhr says.

For example, participants eat meal replacements and attend classes that help them change behaviors during the weight loss phase of the program. In phase two, they learn how to keep weight off by transitioning to making more traditional healthy food choices, while continuing to practice the learned healthy behaviors, Guhr says.

The easy-to-follow plan includes replacing meals with snacks, approved shakes and entrees, and unlimited fruits and vegetables.

Because the foods on the plan dont have a lot of calories, you can eat as much as you want to stay full, yet still lose weight, Guhr says.

Ask for help

Health coaching is an essential part of sticking to new habits. The Weight Loss & Wellness Center offers expert support, with a medical staff that includes a cardiologist, along with a nurse practitioner and a physicians assistant who specialize in endocrinology.

This medical oversight is important if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or other weight-related conditions that may need monitoring during weight loss, Guhr says.

The center uses the Health Management Resources program that focuses on lifestyle changes.

The HMR program is research drivenwith over 25 years of studied metrics, Guhr says. Our program gets results, which is why for the fifth consecutive year U.S. News and World Report has recognized HMR with prestigious recognition, including the No. 1 Best Fast Weight-Loss Diet for 2020.

Learn from success stories

Learning from people who have been on similar journeys can help.

Take David, a 65-year-old retiree who has lost more than 100 pounds three times, and 40-60 pounds countless times, only to gain it all back. After being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea, his cardiologist referred him to the HMR program.

What I liked about the program after checking it out was the rapid weight loss without surgery, drugs, etc. he said. Also, the fact that it is medically supervised, which was important to me because of my health issues.

David lost more than 120 pounds in six months, improving his sleep and lessening his dependence on medications.

I can now do things that last summer I thought I would never be able to do again, he says. My life has changed, and I am very happy and thankful.

Dont wait

No matter how long youve struggled nor how much weight you need to lose, the Weight Loss & Wellness Center welcomes you.

While this program specializes in combating obesity, we have helped people lose anywhere from 20 to over 200 pounds, Guhr says.

You can participate in-clinic or with a remote do-it-yourself option. Either way, youll find support.

Many current participants create new friendships as part of a group of people striving to achieve the same results, Guhr says.

For more information, visit oklahomaheart.com/wlwc.

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How to Permanently Lose Weight the Healthy Way - Tulsa World

Less than a year after starting Super Bowl LIII, former Los Angeles Rams center John Sullivan looks nothing like an NFL lineman.

A NFL safety, maybe.

Sullivan said he has lost about 70 pounds in less than a year. He posted a picture to his Instagram account of his new physique this week, and its pretty astonishing.

Sullivan posted a post-workout picture and said hes down to 240 pounds. It seems like he might be even lighter than that. Sullivan was listed on NFL.com at 312 pounds. Hes on the left:

Heres Sullivan before Super Bowl LIII and during the 2017 season:

Los Angeles Rams center John Sullivan (65) answers questions before Super Bowl LIII. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Los Angeles Rams center John Sullivan (65), during the 2017 season, was listed at 312 pounds when he played. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Former teammates might not even recognize him.

Other offensive linemen have dropped a ton of weight immediately upon leaving the game. The most prominent example is former Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas, who is on NFL Network now and is much thinner. Former Carolina Panthers tackle Jordan Gross and San Diego Chargers center Nick Hardwick also had a shocking amount of weight loss right after leaving the game.

Linemen have to maintain a high weight to survive in the NFL, and that often includes unhealthy eating habits. Some of the players who have lost weight after leaving the game cite concerns about their long-term health as a reason for slimming way down.

Sullivan played nine seasons with the Vikings and Rams, starting 125 games. The Rams declined his 2019 option and like many players, the 34-year-old Sullivan faded out of our consciousness. He didnt hold a retirement press conference or anything, but its clear from the current picture above that he is retired.

Playing in the NFL isnt good for anyones health, and especially linemen who are 300-plus pounds. Sullivan wont play again, but he probably feels a bit better.

More from Yahoo Sports:

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Former Rams C John Sullivan, who started Super Bowl last year, is latest lineman to lose massive amount of weight - Yahoo Sports

Some of the common food items that you can have to break your fast are as follows:

1. Smoothies: Spinach, beetroot, vegetable smoothies are packed with nutrients and fiber, which is good for an easy bowel movement after fasting for a fixed period.

2. Nuts: Dates, apricots, walnuts are considered excellent when trying to lose weight. You can have a handful of nuts and glass of warm water to break your fast.

3. Soups: Soups are loaded with proteins, minerals and easy-digestible carbs. Tomato, vegetable, cauliflower and chicken soups are some of the healthy options.

4. Fruits: Seasonal fruits are also excellent options. Fruits are loaded with fiber and nutrients and control your craving for sweet stuff.

5. Fermented foods: Yogurt or kefir are considered excellent when trying to lose weight.

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Weight loss: This is the right way to break your intermittent fast - Times of India

Source: Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET / Getty

Weve talked previously aboutLove and Hip Hop Atlantastar Tokyo Vanitys attempts to lose weight on the show, and her co-stars well-meaning but misguided attempts to motivate her to take the process seriously. Being somewhat shamed by a friend to get moving more in the gym and to eat clean obviously didnt help, but it seems that the 23-year-old has found a regimen and eating plan that works for her. She recently showed off her weight loss to fans on Instagram after starting the year off with healthy habits:

The beauty has actually been sharing videos of herself getting moving in the gym lately. Shes been doing two-a-day workouts here and there, choosing healthier foods (like grapefruits as a snack) and already lost more than 30 pounds.

Yall said yall was gonna meet me at the gym today why yall keep lying !!!! she captioned a recent video. @bodybyted I gotta life 30 more pounds b4 my trip at the end of February.

Her trainer, @bodybyted, who is presently working with hairstylist andLHHATL star Shekinah Jo too, publicly lauded Tokyo on his own Instagram page for her discipline and dedication to her goals.

@tokyoxvanity aint been playing lately, following her meal plan and staying consistent with her workouts, sometimes doing 2 workouts per day.

Me and shawty @tokyoxvanity came in 2020 playing no games, he shared as the caption to a photo of Tokyos results. Dropping 16-25 pounds per month is the goal for the next 6 months.

While Tokyo hasnt shared her actual goals in terms of how many pounds she wants to drop, she has jokingly, in her straightforward way, inspired her more than two million followers to get active with her. She captioned a sweaty video of herself, The fat is crying again today byeeeeeee you gotta get the fk ASAP, she wrote. Im trying to look good sucking dk naked.

Again, this gym sh-t is ghetto as fk, she joked in the video clip. But if I did not go today, aint gon make it tomorrow. Its a new day. Get in the gym.

Check out more clips of Tokyo training vigorously and get inspired.

Continued here:
Get In The Gym: LHHATL's Tokyo Vanity Shows Off Her Impressive Weight Loss - MadameNoire

Mama Junes weight loss journey started great but ended up being a pious effort.

In 2020 the reality star from Here Comes Honey Boo Boo ran off with her troubled boyfriend Geno Doak amid their crack cocaine arrest. This might explain why in February 2019 she gained all the weight back ( revealed in the From Not To Hot trailer). Mama Junerose to fame on the back of her daughter Alana Honey Boo Boo Thompson, who was the star of a reality show that was hugely popular on both sides of the Atlantic.

In November 2015, Mama June told Daily Mail that walking helped with her weight loss. Her thoughts on walking three to five miles per day were: Once you get started with the kids you dont think about it, she said. Youre walking and youre like Ive already walked three miles!'

The former Here Comes Honey Boo Boostar underwent gastric sleeve surgery in 2016, dropping down to a size 4 from 460 pounds!

Mama June underwent bariatric surgery, having part of her stomach removed as part of a sleeve gastrectomy, in 2016 and reportedly lost more than 300 pounds thanks to the surgery. Dieting and her personal trainer, Kenya Crooks also influenced the weight loss.

But her struggle didnt stop magically in 2016. The months that followed her gastric sleeve fitting, June was still prone to bingeing on rich, calorific foods which made her vomit in agony.

During an episode of Mama June: From Not To Hot (March 2017), she confessed that:

Im joining a small weight-loss support group. Although I got rid of out all my junk food, it would be great to get some help to keep the weight off long-term. I mean, Im really nervous about walking into a room of people I dont know and talking about my overeating. Im scared, but Ive got to do something.

In addition to her significant weight loss, she underwent cosmetic surgery, spending a reported $75,000 towards getting a boob job and skin removal surgery to nip and tuck 9lb worth of excess skin on her stomach, arms and neck to look slimmer all over.

The Mama June weight loss news became a huge deal and she even bagged a reality TV show, Mama June: From Not to Hot. This aired on We TV on February 24, 2017. The second season premiered on January 5, 2018.

In 2018, Mama June sadly put on weight. She tried to break into the glamorous world of adult beauty pageants, and turned to a keto diet to help her shift the extra pounds.

Keto, which champions a diet low in carbohydrates and high in good fats and protein, is good for weight-loss as it forces the body to burn its own stores of fat rather than quick and easy glucose in the form of carbs and sugar.

Ive tried the keto diet Its like, cheese, eggs, protein, meat. And you honestly lose weight with that so its not that bad. June said in a BUILD Series interview in the summer of 2018.

However, in May 2018, a trailer for the second series of From Not To Hot showed that Mama June was back struggling with her weight after piling on 25lb from her previous lowest weight.

Her rumoured spiralling drug addiction is a stark contrast to her healthy looking appearance in her most recent selfie.

The TV personalitys raw and emotional post comes after she faced a turbulent year which appeared to be a downward spiral as she got caught up in drugs, gambling and faced issues with the law.

Junes trouble began when she was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Along with her boyfriend Eugene Edward Doak, the couple were arrested for allegedly having crack cocaine and a crack pipe on them.

Geno was also charged for domestic violence/harassment.

See below a before and after of the coveted Mama June weight loss image:

In 2018 Mama June went on the Keto Diet.

Adding that she had never been a big fan of bread or pasta, Mama June went on: Im not here to tell people how to diet, because everyones different, but I know what has worked for me. I think people just dont need to give up, and I think thats what happens with a lot of diets nowadays. Ive done that.

She added that her focus now had to be on regaining the vision shed lost in both eyes, explaining: I can lose the weight, I know that. And I know I dont want to go back over 200lb. Im paying more attention to it.

Mama June reportedly gets cravings when the kids go to bed, but thankfully Pumpkin is nocturnal enough to keep her in check. Im up late at night most of the time, but I tell her like, Momma, you cant do that,' Pumpkin, her daughter told Entertainment Tonight.

I have to show her [previous] pictures of herself sometimes, and shes like, I cant even believe thats me. Im like, If you dont stop eating that junk, youre going to go right back!'

As an adult, June struggled with being morbidly obese, weighing 460 pounds at her heaviest. So it doesnt come as a surprise that with all that reality tv money, Mama June decided to undergo weight loss surgery after regular dieting caused her to faint and put her at risk for some other health problems.

Mama June shed 90 pounds, and reportedly wanted to lose another 80 pounds in order to reach her goal weight.

Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding, who has not specifically treated Mama June, told the paper that the reality stars gastric sleeve surgery is a bit different from traditional gastric bypass surgery. It sounds horrible that youre amputating 80 percent of the stomach, but your digestive tract stays completely intact, unlike gastric bypass, which attaches the small intestine directly to the top of the stomach. The gastric sleeve is sort of like changing from a shirt to a spanx.

Dr. Christine also adds that just because the surgery is done, it doesnt mean that the work is over. Shell go on a liquid diet for months following the procedure, After that, its still up to [Mama June] to maintain a healthy lifestyle. People still have to eat healthy and exercise, or the weight will creep back. But think of how much easier it is to exercise after youve shed that first 80 pounds.

Mama June also got a little help losing weight from one particular area: she underwent a procedure called cool sculpting to remove her double chin after losing a whopping 150

During the summer of 2016, she went on Botchedbut didnt get the news she wanted: she was still a little too obese to undergo surgery to remove excess skin.

Her daughter Pumpkin told Entertainment Tonight, Her stomach started looking gross [after losing a lot of weight]. It was hanging from where she lost so much weight, and her arms and her chin, so she got [the skin on] her stomach removed.

Her daughter Pumpkin also revealed that Mama June had cosmetic surgery on her breasts. She got her boobies done, the daughter said. She went from a 44 long to a 36 up.

Mama June gained her spotlight as the proud plus-size mum of child beauty queen Honey Boo Boo. Clearly, her weight loss has been a love-hate journey (relatable except for the drugs). As easy as it is to get into media headlines, its a 1000 times harder to do the hard work and discipline it takes to lose weight.

See more here:
Mama June Weight Loss History and Transformation - Daily Hawker

Stephen Brashear/Getty Images SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 07: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 7, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)Less than a year after starting Super Bowl LIII, former Los Angeles Rams center John Sullivan looks nothing like an NFL lineman.

A NFL safety, maybe.

Sullivan said he has lost about 70 pounds in less than a year. He posted a picture to his Instagram account of his new physique this week, and its pretty astonishing.

Sullivan posted a post-workout picture and said hes down to 240 pounds. It seems like he might be even lighter than that. Sullivan was listed on NFL.com at 312 pounds. Hes on the left:

Heres Sullivan before Super Bowl LIII and during the 2017 season:

Former teammates might not even recognize him.

Other offensive linemen have dropped a ton of weight immediately upon leaving the game. The most prominent example is former Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas, who is on NFL Network now and is much thinner. Former Carolina Panthers tackle Jordan Gross and San Diego Chargers center Nick Hardwick also had a shocking amount of weight loss right after leaving the game.

Linemen have to maintain a high weight to survive in the NFL, and that often includes unhealthy eating habits. Some of the players who have lost weight after leaving the game cite concerns about their long-term health as a reason for slimming way down.

Sullivan played nine seasons with the Vikings and Rams, starting 125 games. The Rams declined his 2019 option and like many players, the 34-year-old Sullivan faded out of our consciousness. He didnt hold a retirement press conference or anything, but its clear from the current picture above that he is retired.

Playing in the NFL isnt good for anyones health, and especially linemen who are 300-plus pounds. Sullivan wont play again, but he probably feels a bit better.

More from Yahoo Sports:

Related slideshow: Best of conference championship games (provided by imagn)

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Sullivan, who started Super Bowl last year, is latest lineman to lose massive amount of weight - msnNOW

By Diksha Munjal

A list of home remedies for the most common health problems that even experts swear by

Dont want to run to the medicine box every time you get a sudden bout of cold, or try another new treatment for excessive hair fall? In this day and age, when youre bombarded with information in the form of DIY (Do It Yourself) treatments for every health condition imaginable; it gets difficult to decide whether to get a doctors appointment or play a game of trial and error. Despite the long-standing debate of home remedies versus modern medicine, a huge proportion of medical practitioners believe that some of our age-old, indigenous remedies are effective. Doctors believe that some of these have natural medicinal properties, and can be safely used in the preliminary stages of a wide range of medical conditions.

Heres a list of home remedies for the most common health problems that even doctors swear by.

Dr Vaishali S Khodade

According to Dr Khodade, it is indisputable that applying oil is magical for good scalp health. Using neem with good old coconut oil is the most effective and quick solution to get rid of dandruffs. Add a few drops of pure neem oil to your required quantity of coconut oil and apply the lukewarm mixture on your scalp and through the length of your hair. It is advised to keep it for at least an hour or two or apply it overnight. Wash hair with a mild shampoo the next morning.

Why does it work?Neem (biological name Azadirachta indica) is one of the most versatile medicinal plants found in the Indian subcontinent. Neem activates antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activities in the body and is one of the strongest blood purifier and detoxifier, says Dr Khodade. Neem leaves are considered safe to be taken internally or applied externally regularly.

Drumsticks for joint pain relief

Dr Arun Baviskar Orthopaedic

The natural chemical properties in some herbs have helped a great deal in development of the modern drugs, says Dr Baviskar.

Consuming them in their natural forms gives the best results, he says. Adding drumsticks to curries, stews, sambhar, dals or even pulao can help people of any age group get relief from joint pain and bone deficiencies. It can also be consumed as a juice or with milk.

Why does it work?Drumsticks (biological name Moringa oleifera), are loaded with calcium, iron and other vitamins, and help in strengthening bones. It contains the valuable compound Moringa, from where it gets its other name the magic tree. According to studies, in comparison with spinach, drumstick leaves have 30 times more iron than spinach and 100 times more calcium than milk.

Ghee balm for chapped lips

Dr Mithila Virnak Cosmetologist and trichologist

Even the subtle Mumbai winters give way to chapped lips, and using lip balms are not always effective. According to Dr Virnak, ghee the golden elixir is a great, natural moisturiser. Applying pure ghee to lips in the morning and before bedtime can help get smooth and soft skin.

Why does it work?Ghee contains essential fatty acids that activate hydration in skin cells, thus moisturising the skin. It is a kind of bonding agent that can pair with other nutrients to get to the deepest layers of the skin. Ghee in the purest form is safe even for a babys sensitive skin.

Clove to beat cough and cold

Dr Nitin Amale General Physician and surgeon

There is a natural ingredient in your kitchens spice cabinet for every seasonal health condition from the common cold to summertime dehydration, says Dr Amale. Natural ingredients can be utilised based on the cooling or heating effect that they have on the body.

Whether in the form of bud or grounded, clove works like a radiator for the body.

Roasting clove buds on a pan and inhaling the vapours, or simply putting finely ground clove buds in your tea, can do wonders for the seasonal bouts of cough and cold.

Why does it work?Clove has natural anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and warming properties. The heating effect helps clear the mucous tracts leading to decongestion and relief.

Cumin (Jeera) for weight loss

Dr Vijaya R Mhatre Surgeon

According to Dr Mhatre, the key to losing weight is to improve metabolism. An optimal metabolic rate leads to proper digestion and distribution of the food consumed, which in turn leads to proper fat breakdown. Having jeera goli (candy) or jeera soda post-dinner is an age-old Indian habit. However, Dr Mane suggests start the mornings with a spoonful of jeera seeds or powder with a tablespoon of water, or followed by half a glass of lukewarm water, to activate metabolism effectively.

Why does it work?Cumin increases the activity of digestive enzymes, potentially speeding up digestion. It also increases the release of bile from the liver, and helps digest fats and certain nutrients in the gut.

Instant acidity relief with cold milk

Dr Sachin P Khodade Surgeon

Why does it work?Milk absorbs acid formation in the stomach and neutralises the effect of the reflux. This instantly stops the burning sensation and gradually combats the acidity. The natural cooling property of milk can also help to ease the discomfort caused by peptic ulcers. However, milk will not work for lactose-intolerant persons.

While most of these remedies can safely be used by everyone and dont have any harmful side effects, personal medical history has to be kept in mind while trying these. Doctors advise giving a trial to measure the effectiveness. However, making lifestyle changes, eating healthy and throwing in a little bit of regular exercise enhances the effect of these remedies multiple folds and gives the body time to recover.

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What the doctor ordered - Mumbai Mirror