Health Updates

24/07/2025

22/07/2025

Your body is constantly regenerating.

In fact, you get a new body every 7–10 years. Most of your organs and tissues are entirely replaced over that time.

Organ Regeneration Timelines:
🧫 Stomach lining: Replaces itself every 4 days

🕐 Digestive stomach cells: Renewed every 5 minutes

🧪 Liver: Completely regenerated every 150 days

🩸 Red blood cells: Replaced every 4 months

🧠 Taste buds: Refreshed every 10 days

🩺 Pancreas: Renewed every 50 days

🧖 Epidermis (outer skin layer): Replaced every 4 weeks

🦴 Bones: Take up to 10 years to fully regenerate

But Not Everything Changes:
👁️ Lens cells in your eyes — never replaced

🧠 Neurons in your cerebral cortex — also irreplaceable

🍔 Fat cells — can accumulate and stick around if not managed by diet and activity

The only constant? You.
💭 Your memories, consciousness, and self-awareness are the thread that continues.

22/07/2025

Vitamin D may be called a “vitamin,” but your body treats it like a powerful steroid hormone one that regulates everything from immunity to gene expression.

Despite the name, Vitamin D isn’t technically a vitamin at all. In scientific terms, it’s now recognized as a steroid hormone, placing it in the same biochemical category as heavy-hitters like testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol. Its origin? Just like those hormones, it’s derived from cholesterol. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it kickstarts the production of Vitamin D, which then undergoes a two-step conversion process in the liver and kidneys to become calcitriol, its active hormonal form.

Here’s where it gets interesting: once in that active form, calcitriol binds to vitamin D receptors (VDRs) inside cells and influences gene expression literally turning certain genes on or off. This means Vitamin D doesn’t just help with bones and calcium absorption; it also plays a key role in regulating immune response, inflammation, phosphate balance, and even cellular growth and repair.

So while you’ve always thought of it as something you get from sunlight and supplements, Vitamin D is much more than a simple nutrient. It’s a full-fledged hormonal player, orchestrating critical biological processes at the cellular level. Your daily sunshine might just be fueling one of the most underrated hormone systems in your body.

22/07/2025

The human brain is one of the most complex and fascinating organs in the body.

It contains approximately 86 billion neurons, each forming thousands of connections with others, resulting in a vast network responsible for everything from basic motor functions to abstract thought and consciousness. Despite its complexity and sensitivity, the brain itself is curiously devoid of one thing: pain receptors.

Pain, or nociception, is the body's warning system. It's how we know when something is wrong—whether it's a sharp cut, a burn, or internal inflammation. Pain receptors, known as nociceptors, are found throughout the body: in the skin, muscles, bones, and even some internal organs. But within the brain tissue itself—the gray and white matter—these receptors are absent. This means that the brain cannot feel pain in the way other parts of the body can.

This is why patients can undergo brain surgery while awake. Neurosurgeons often perform procedures like tumor removals or epilepsy treatments with the patient conscious, talking, or responding to prompts. The scalp and skull are numbed, and once the brain is exposed, the tissue can be manipulated without the patient feeling pain.

However, while the brain doesn't feel pain, the structures around it do. The meninges (the protective membranes surrounding the brain), blood vessels, and the scalp are rich in pain receptors. When you experience a headache or migraine, the discomfort doesn't come from the brain tissue itself but from these surrounding structures being stretched, inflamed, or otherwise affected.

This paradox—an organ that processes every twinge of pain in the body yet feels none itself—reminds us how uniquely specialized the brain is.

REFERENCE:
Dr. Nish Manek, "If the brain has no pain receptors, why do I get headaches?", BBC Science Focus Magazine.

21/07/2025

Reclaiming Mobility: Natural Approaches for Rheumatoid Arthritis Relief

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the joints, leading to inflammation, pain, stiffness, and progressive disability. Affecting over 18 million people globally, especially women, RA is more than joint pain—it's a systemic condition tied to oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and gut dysfunction.

Root Drivers of RA Pathogenesis

Autoimmune misfiring & chronic inflammation
Overexpression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2
T-cell/B-cell hyperactivation and cartilage erosion
Gut permeability & microbiome imbalance

Top Natural Compounds with Proven Multi-Target Activity:

Boswellic acids (Boswellia serrata) – 5-LOX inhibition, joint pain reduction
Withaferin A (Ashwagandha) – TNF-α suppression, antioxidant
Curcumin (Turmeric) – COX-2/IL-6 inhibition, cartilage protection
Baicalin & Baicalein (Scutellaria baicalensis) – immune modulation
Guggulsterone (Commiphora mukul) – lipid & inflammation regulator
Berberine – gut microbiome restoration, NLRP3 inhibition
Resveratrol – cytokine inhibition, mitochondrial support
Catechins (Green Tea) – immune regulation, anti-fibrotic
Glycyrrhizin (Licorice) – HPA axis balancer, immunomodulation
Quercetin & Luteolin – mast cell stabilization, ROS scavenging

Traditional Ayurvedic & Siddha Herbal Formulations:

Simhanada Guggulu – purifies joints, removes ama
Mahayogaraj Guggulu – strengthens joints, reduces stiffness
Amavata Nashini Kashayam – classic anti-RA blend
Nandhi Mezhugu (Siddha) – Rasayana for joint inflammation
Trikatu + Triphala + Eranda Taila – gut detox + pain relief synergy

Holistic TCM Botanicals:
Fang Feng, Dang Gui, Qing Feng Teng, Wu Jia Pi – blood & wind balancing
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang – nourishes liver-kidney axis for mobility
RA Herbal Infusion (Daily Anti-Inflammatory Tea):
Ashwagandha + Dry Ginger + Licorice + Guduchi + Fennel + Triphala – gut-healing, inflammation-suppressing, Vata-pacifying blend.

Synergy Across Systems:

The integration of antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and gut-restorative compounds offers long-term support, pain relief, and joint regeneration—without the adverse effects of NSAIDs and steroids.

21/07/2025

VITAMIN DETAILS

🟠 Vitamin A – For Vision
• Function: Essential for maintaining healthy vision, especially night vision.
• Benefits: Supports immune system, skin health, and cell growth.
• Sources: Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, liver, dairy products.
• Deficiency: Night blindness, dry eyes, weakened immunity.
🟡 Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) For Energy
• Function: Helps convert nutrients into energy, essential for brain and nerve function.
• Benefits: Supports heart, muscles, and nervous system.
• Sources: Whole grains, pork, legumes, nuts, seeds.
• Deficiency: Fatigue, nerve damage, Beriberi disease.
🟡 Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) For Growth
• Function: Important for growth, red blood cell production, and metabolism.
• Benefits: Helps break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
• Sources: Milk, eggs, green leafy vegetables, almonds.
• Deficiency: Cracks on lips, sore throat, skin disorders.

🟡 Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) For Immunity
• Function: Supports immune system and brain development.
• Benefits: Helps make serotonin, red blood cells, and neurotransmitters.
• Sources: Bananas, chicken, fish, potatoes, fortified cereals.
• Deficiency: Weakened immunity, confusion, depression.
🟡 Vitamin B7 (Biotin) For Hair and Skin
• Function: Important for healthy hair, skin, and nails.
• Benefits: Aids in metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbs.
• Sources: Eggs, nuts, seeds, salmon, whole grains.
• Deficiency: Hair loss, brittle nails, skin rash.

🟡 Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid / Folate) – For Cells
• Function: Crucial for DNA synthesis and cell division.
• Benefits: Essential during pregnancy to prevent birth defects.
• Sources: Leafy greens, legumes, citrus fruits, fortified grains.
• Deficiency: Anemia, neural tube defects in newborns.

🟡 Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) – For Nerves
• Function: Supports nervous system and red blood cell formation.
• Benefits: Improves mood, memory, and energy levels.
• Sources: Meat, dairy, eggs, fortified cereals.
• Deficiency: Fatigue, nerve damage, memory loss.

🟢 Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) – For Healing
• Function: Powerful antioxidant, helps in wound healing.
• Benefits: Boosts immunity, helps iron absorption.
• Sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers.
• Deficiency: Scurvy (bleeding gums, weakness).

🔵 Vitamin D – For Bones
• Function: Helps body absorb calcium and maintain bone health.
• Benefits: Strengthens bones, supports immune function.
• Sources: Sunlight, fortified milk, fish, egg yolks.
• Deficiency: Rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults.

🟢 Vitamin K – For Blood
• Function: Vital for blood clotting and bone metabolism.
• Benefits: Prevents excessive bleeding, supports heart health.
• Sources: Leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, dairy.
• Deficiency: Easy bruising, bleeding, poor bone health.

21/07/2025

Protein is the new sugar.

And I don’t mean that nutritionally.
I mean in how we sell it. fear it. worship it.
…and completely misunderstand it.

Walk into any gym today and you’ll find 3 types of people:
1. The guy sipping a ₹6,000 imported whey with 0.2g carbs
2. The one munching on a “guilt-free” bar with more sugar than a Parle-G
3. And the confused one wondering if dal-chawal even counts

Truth is that all three are victims of the same thing: “Marketing dressed up as science.”

A few months ago, a survey showed us that 91% of Indians don’t get enough protein.
The country panicked.

Now we’ve overcorrected into a protein-fuelled frenzy:

Protein upma
Protein bread
Protein cookies
Protein buttermilk (yes, that’s a thing)

But here’s the part we’re not talking about:

Protein is not a health halo.
It’s a nutrient which is context-dependent, dose-dependent, source-dependent.

20g of protein doesn’t cancel out 14g of sugar
“High protein” snacks are still junk food with better PR
Whey, soy, casein, isolate, concentrate, all work differently in the body
Excess protein = fat storage, acid overload, kidney stress, not six-pack abs

The problem isn’t protein.
It’s how we’ve packaged it.
And how quickly we’ve turned it into a shortcut for health instead of a part of it.

You don’t need a ₹5,000 scoop to stay fit.
You need literacy, not panic.
Food, not fear.

So next time you see “HIGH PROTEIN” on a pack, pause.

Ask:
– Who made it?
– What else is in it?
– And why do they want you to feel deficient?

Because this isn’t a health movement.
It’s a market trend.

And someone’s always selling the cure to a problem they helped create.

What’s the weirdest “protein-rich” thing you’ve seen recently?
I saw protein pani puri last week. Not kidding.

21/07/2025

Are You Absorbing Vitamin B12 Correctly?

Most people know B12 is essential but few understand how complex its absorption process really is.

Step 1: Ingestion
Vitamin B12 (Cbl) enters the body through animal-based foods (meat, eggs, dairy, etc.).
In the mouth and stomach, it is bound to food proteins (Cbl.P).

Step 2: Release in the Stomach
The acidic environment and enzymes (pepsin) in the stomach release B12 from proteins.
Free B12 (Cbl) then binds to Haptocorrin (HC), a carrier protein from saliva and gastric juice → forming HC.Cbl.

Step 3: Transfer to Intrinsic Factor
In the duodenum, pancreatic enzymes break down HC.
B12 is released and binds to Intrinsic Factor (IF) → forming IF.Cbl (a stable complex for absorption).

Step 4: Absorption in the Ileum
IF.Cbl travels to the ileum, where it binds to specific receptors on enterocytes (intestinal cells).
The complex is taken into the cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Step 5: Transport in the Blood
Inside the enterocyte, B12 is released and binds to Transcobalamin II (TC) → forming TC.Cbl.
This complex is released into the bloodstream.

Step 6: Cellular Uptake
TC.Cbl is recognized by CD320 receptors on cells.
It is taken into cells where B12 is used for:
DNA synthesis
Methylation
Energy metabolism

Step 7: Liver Storage
Excess B12 is stored in the liver, which acts as a long-term reservoir.

Step 8: Enterohepatic Circulation
Some B12 may be secreted in bile and reabsorbed in the intestine — this is known as enterohepatic recycling, which helps conserve B12.

🧠 Notes:
80% of circulating B12 is still bound to HC (inactive form), while only 20% as TC.Cbl is biologically active and delivered to cells.

Any disruption in this process (e.g., low stomach acid, pancreatic insufficiency, IF deficiency, ileal disease) can impair absorption.

19/07/2025

ECG

The ECG is one of the most powerful tools in medicine and it’s non-invasive, quick, and full of clues about the heart’s health.

An ECG helps detect:
• Your heart’s rate and rhythm
• Electrical conduction issues
• Silent or active heart attacks
• Electrolyte imbalances and effects of certain medications
• Even if a chamber is enlarged!

What do the waves mean?
• P wave = atrial depolarization
• QRS complex = ventricular depolarization
• T wave = ventricular repolarization
• PR/QT intervals = timing that meds can impact!

1. ✅ Normal Sinus Rhythm — 60–100 bpm, steady beats, each with a P-QRS-T.
→ A healthy heart’s normal beat.

2. 🔺 Tachycardia — Fast, regular beats >100 bpm.
→ Think stress, fever, or stimulants.

3. 🔻 Bradycardia — Slow, regular beats

19/07/2025

The dangerous part about neglecting health?

Nothing happens… at first.

You eat unhealthy.
You skip workouts.
You stay up too late.

And for days—weeks—even years…
Nothing changes.

You still function. You still look “fine.”
So you think: “It’s okay. I’ll fix it later.”

That’s the trap.

Because health doesn’t scream when ignored.
It whispers.
And when it finally does scream—
it’s often too late.

Science agrees:

Most chronic illnesses (diabetes, hypertension, obesity) build silently over years before symptoms show up.
A 2022 WHO report revealed that 70% of adult health decline is preventable—if caught early through routine, not rescue.

Here’s the hard truth:

You don’t break down from skipping health today.
You break down because you kept thinking it was okay to skip.

It’s not about motivation.
It’s about consistency when nothing feels urgent.

One missed day may feel like nothing.
But one day becomes a week.
Then a pattern.
And then? Regret.

Choose your discomfort:
The small discomfort of daily discipline,
or the heavy cost of repair later.

19/07/2025