Foods That Battle The Risk Of Diabetes Amongst Children

The alarming rate at which Type II or lifestyle diabetes amongst kids is fast catching up across the world has become a cause of concern. The Type II diabetes prevalence amongst children is attributed to the worldwide growing trends of sedentary lifestyle and junk foods forming a crucial part of diet.

India has the highest number of adult diabetes cases with over 20 million population affected by it and the case of children is fast catching on with over 70,000 reported with Type I below the age of 15 and 40,000 with Type II below the age of 15 years with an increase of 5 per cent each year. The sedentary lifestyle with regular munching on junk foods has increased the risk of obesity in children, making them more vulnerable to diabetes.  This scenario calls for a greater awareness amongst both the children and their guardians about the future health risks from the disease.

Type II diabetes can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle regime, food habits and regular physical activity.  We attempt to list a few do’s and don’ts that will help your children keep diabetes at bay and lead a healthier lifestyle.

Include Spices

It’s not the food alone but also the spices that can put us to diabetic risk as they also play a crucial role in lowering blood sugar level. They also are excellent antioxidants that prevent tissue damage and inflammation caused due to high blood sugar. Children with diabetes are also found to be at higher risk of blood pressure which could lead to cardiac problems in the long run. The most beneficial spices to go along with in this case are cinnamon and cloves.

Brown Rice Instead of White Rice

Whole grains are more advisable over processed carbohydrates as they are rich in fiber, minerals and vitamins intact in them than processed foods. It is found that replacing the daily serving of white rice with brown rice lowers the risk of diabetes by 16% also brown rice is effective in controlling blood sugar levels.

Vinegar Before Meals

After several researches in the field it was proven that if ordinary vinegar if taken before a meal, it helps control the blood sugar as the blood sugar level substantially reduces and also prevents the risk of diabetes right at its onset.

Dark Chocolates 

Researchers delving into the subject have shown that dark chocolates improve insulin sensitivities and prevent Type II diabetes. Significantly they also reduce bad cholesterol and regulate the blood pressure to normal leading to improved blood functioning.

Since children love chocolates, it would be a good idea to give them this often and get them to stay healthy!

Citrus Fruits 

Children ailing from diabetes are known to have lower levels of Vitamin C in their bodies, which is essential, as they are great antioxidants too. It is low fat, filling, fibrous with ample nutrients in them, required for the body.

All these little efforts will go a long way in checking the risk of diabetes in your children at a tender age and let them live a healthy holistic life.

Reference:- http://organicinsights.in/foods-battle-risk-diabetes-amongst-children/

5 Celebrity Secrets to Wonderful Hair-Care

Ever wondered what is common between Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Shilpa Shetty? Apart from being Bollywood divas, they all share a common asset and that is their long, lustrous hair.

Yes, they all are gifted with natural, beautiful long hair but how do they maintain them?

Revealing their beauty secrets, they attribute it to a healthy lifestyle  comprising of drinking 10- 12 glasses of water daily, indulging in fruits and veggies, regular oil massage and use of herbal, chemical-free products for their hair.

‘Ah! If only I could get that long and beautiful hair, I could have shared the ramp with my favourite diva’, that is an oft-repeated wish.

There is no need to get discouraged as Nature has provided the best products that you can include in your regimen towards having hair as of these Bollywood divas.

Shikakai Hair Cleanser

Shikakai has long been known for its hair care benefits. It is especially suitable for dry scalp as it keeps the scalp’s natural oils intact. Shikakai makes the hair softer, add lustre to them, removes dandruff and also provides relief to dry, itchy scalp.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Are you worn out by trying different products in the market to control dandruff? Then this one’s for you. Apple Cider Vinegar is basically a by-product of apple fermentation and is loaded with all the beneficial nutrients of apple in much higher amounts.

Its anti-microbial properties make it a suitable fit for dry and inflammatory conditions of the scalp like dandruff. It also adds shine to your hair and makes them less prone to tangling.

Drumstick and Lavender Hair Conditioner

Drumstick is commonly known as Moringa or “The Miracle Tree” is loaded with all vitamins and minerals essential for hair growth. It moisturises the scalp, delivers all essential nutrients like zinc, silica, vitamin A and B to hair follicles, cures split ends and maintains hair strength.

Lavender has a soft, sweet fragrance that helps to treat dandruff, improve blood circulation of the scalp, moisturise and nourish the hair and prevent hair fall. It also aids in reducing stress and anxiety, the potential causes of hair loss.

The combination of the two will be an “Icing on the cake” for your hair.

Neem Herbal Jojoba Hair Conditioner

Neem has a high level of antioxidants and stimulates the growth of hair follicle. It nourishes and conditions the scalp and hair. Its moisturising properties restore smooth, silky texture to rough and dry hair, thus making them shiny, healthy and more manageable.

Azadirachtin, an insecticidal agent in neem helps to keep head lice at bay. All the more, it cures and prevents eczema and other inflammatory conditions of the scalp.

Jojoba controls hair loss by helping the follicles grow new hair. The vitamins and minerals present in it nourish the skin and improve the overall health of the scalp.

This jojoba provides the right amount of moisture to your scalp, making hair more manageable and tangle free.  It is naturally rich in minerals like zinc and selenium, thus contributing to its effectiveness in controlling dandruff.

Do you still need any more evidence to use herbal and chemical free products for your hair?

Products derived from the Mother Nature have stood the test of time as most safe products to get healthy, beautiful, lustrous hair.

Reference:- http://organicinsights.in/5-celebrity-secrets-wonderful-hair-care/

What Makes Organic Fabrics Eco- Friendly?

The latest trends in the fashion industry are all about sustainable clothing and their demand growing substantially in the global market. Organic clothing besides environment friendly can also be stylish and are most sought after choice for people now-a-days in clothing.

The global awareness about health and hygiene are on the rise as there are number of cases of people experiencing health infections and problems like allergies, rashes, chemical sensitivities, respiratory disorders among others. The increasing cases of health risks for both adults and children have been growing at an alarming rate which makes them vulnerable to fight these health problems and thereby a growing demand for alternate options like organic food, clothing and furnishing has been on the rise.

There are several convincing reasons to make a switch over to Organic or Green lifestyle and bring about a healthier lifestyle change-

• Organic fibers do not require use of any pesticides or chemicals to grow, they are naturally disease- resistant, keeping the environment safe from chemical hazards and helping the soil retain its fertility for longer.
• Organic fibers biodegrade naturally over time whereas conventionally made fibers when they degrade they leave out large amount of toxins.
• Organic fibers protect against allergies being safe for the skin and the fabrics are breathable and soft on the skin. They also allow the fabric to retain moisture.
• Organic fibers have been a revolution to protect the environment by conserving water, the chemicals that are usually found in the cultivation of conventional fabrics do not reach the groundwater or contaminate the natural resources which eventually are consumed by humans and animals.
• Organic farming has been instrumental in not only generating employment opportunities for the farmers who cultivate organic goods but has been a healthy development for their family as well who work in the fields.
• Genetically Modified seeds are not a part of organic cultivation.

The market for ethical organic clothing is on the rise across USA, Europe, Oceania and other potential markets which are gradually on a rise as people are becoming more aware of their health and trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Reference:- http://organicinsights.in/makes-organic-fabrics-eco-friendly/