7 reasons to start eating spirulina from today

Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is known for its unique and delicious taste. Loaded with a myriad range of healthy nutrients like manganese, iron, B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, essential fatty acid and proteins, spirulina helps to successfully teat and prevent various health complications. Here are 7 reasons why you should start eating spirulina –

It protects from cancer

Spirulina is packed with many healthy nutrients which play a key role in prevention againstcancer as well as in treatment of precancerous mouth lesions. It acts as a powerful antioxidant agent eliminating the harmful free radicals from the body which increases your risk of cancer. Also phenolic compounds are present in this food which exerts inhibitory action on carcinogenesis and mutagenesis. Read about Top 10 food habits to prevent cancer

It improves liver function

The presence of various nutrients as well as high amounts of fibre and proteins in spirulina makes it a potential food source to keep your liver healthy. In addition to enhancing normal functioning of the liver, it protects the liver from damage and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis. Read about tips to prevent liver disease.

It is used as protein supplement

Being a rich source of proteins (amino acids constitute around 62%) and other healthy nutrients, spirulina is undoubtedly one of the best nutritional supplements available naturally. It forms a healthy food for people undergoing fitness training, gymming and those planning to increase their muscle weight.

It relieves from allergic rhinitis

Many clinical studies have proved that spirulina exhibits protective action against allergic rhinitis which is due to its anti-inflammatory property. This blue-green algae help in combating allergy symptoms by inhibiting the release of histamines, substances that are responsible for allergic reactions. Read about preventive measures for allergic rhinitis.

It boosts immunity

Most people are unaware of the immune-boosting powers of spirulina. Several studies have suggested that consumption of this food increases the production of immune cells which in turn aid in fighting against infections. Read about tips to boost immunity

It helps in treating viral infection

Spirulina is packed with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents which act as a supportive therapeutic approach in treatment of viral infection. It eases the inflammation caused during viral attack by lowering oxidative stress and eliminating harmful free radicals from the body.

Infertility in men — diagnostic tests to identify the problem

Couples who face difficulty conceiving even after a year of having unprotected intercourse have higher chances of infertility issues. And, infertility isn’t just women’s problem. ‘Men can have problems with fertility, too. When a couple is having a hard time getting pregnant, it is just as likely to be caused by a problem with a man’s fertility as it is with a woman’s fertility,’ says Dr Abha Shroff, chief pathologist and director at Disha Pathology Labs, Mumbai.

‘1 out of 3 times, infertility is due to a problem with the man. That’s why it is essential that both the man and the woman should get tested for fertility problems,’ she says.

If you’re one of those men who have been ignoring this issue for a long time, you should get yourself tested. Here’s an account on infertility profiling for men with inputs from Dr Shroff.

The basic tests for infertility are common for men and women.

1. These basic tests include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
• Blood Sugar – Fasting and PP
• Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3
• Syphilis (VDRL)
• Hepatitis HbsAg

You can read about these tests in detail in this post: Infertility profiling: 8 tests to check why you’re not getting pregnant.

Infertility problems in men mainly arise due to low sperm count, poor sperm quality and hormonal problems. To check the quality of sperm, you’ll need to get your semen tested. Semen is the sperm containing fluid that is released when you ejaculate. 

2. Semen Analysis: This is basically done to check the sperm count and quality. For the test, typically 1.5 and 5.5 milliliters (mL) of semen is required.

• Sperm count: It is measured in ‘sperm per milliliter of semen.’ A count of 20 million sperms or greater is considered to be normal. Lower range may indicate infertility.

• Sperm quality: Sperm quality is measured based on two parameters: the shape and the mobility of sperms. Sperm mobility is the percentage of sperms that move actively in the sample. They are also graded based on the speed with which they travel and their direction of movement. If 50% or more sperms are found to be motile after one hour of obtaining the sample, the results are considered to be normal. Also, they should be moving with a good speed forward in a straight line. If 50% or less number of sperms are found to be non-motile, then a sperm viability test is done, where a coloured dye or stain is used to identify the dead sperms.

• Sperm morphology: The structure, size, shape and appearance of sperms is also observed. Abnormal sperms may have defective heads, midsections and immature forms. Ideally, over 14% of sperms should have normal heads. The semen should have pH between 7.2 and 7.8. 

Below is a table summarizing the sperm analysis test:

Test Parameters	Results: Normal	Results: Abnormal
Sperm count	20 million sperms or more per mL of semen	<20 million sperms/mL
Sperm mobility	Over  50 percent of sperms moving normally, with good speed and in a straight line	Less than 50% of normal sperms
Sperm morphology	Normal size and shape	Defective head, midsections and immature sperms
Semen pH	7.2 and 7.8	Beyond the range

 3. Semen Culture: A semen culture is done to check for contamination of the fluid with harmful pathogens. If the semen is infected with bacteria, it may affect semen quality and the sperms. A positive result may indicate urinary tract infection.

4. Testosterone: It is a male reproductive hormone that plays a key role in development of tissues in testis and prostate gland. It is a strong determinant of male sexual features. The hormone is regulated by the pituitary gland in the brain. So, if the level of testosterone is low it could also indicate problem with the pituitary gland and not just the testicles. 

Tips to track the days you are ovulating or are at your most ‘fertile’

If you are trying to conceive it makes sense if you track your ovulation period meticulously. This could help you know when you are most fertile to conceive and help you plan your pregnancy better. A typical egg can live 12 to 24 hours after ovulation, while sperm can survive up to 5 days in a hospitable vaginal environment. Your fertile days are the 5 days preceding ovulation and up to 2 days after ovulation. Here’s how you can track your fertile days for better conception:

Keep track of your menstrual cycle: If you are planning your pregnancy, make sure you note the start date of your menstrual period. This is the first day of your menstrual cycle. Count each day of the cycle till you get your periods the next time. Then start all over again. In this way you will get to know the length of your menstrual cycle. Keep track of the cycles for three or four months to get an accurate assessment. This will also help you know if you are having regular or irregular menstrual cycles.

Make a rough assessment of your fertile days: For most women a regular menstrual cycle would be up to 26 to 32 days. Women with regular cycles may have cycles that vary in length a few days from month to month, but will not experience large variations in the duration of their cycles. To know your fertile period note the number of days in your shortest and longest cycles carefully. Now follow the steps:

• Subtract 18 from the number of days of your shortest cycle. For e.g. if your shortest cycle is 26 it would be 8.
• Subtract 11 from the number of days of your longest cycle. For e.g. if your longest cycle is 32 it would be 21.
• Circle the dates on your calendar that fall between the first and second cycle days you calculated. For e.g. in this case it would be the days from 7 and 22 i.e. 7th day after your periods to the 22ndday of the cycle. Now these are the days when you should try for conception.

Keep track of your basal body temperature: Your basal body temperature changes throughout your menstrual cycle due to the fluctuations in the hormones. The hormone progesterone increases the basal body temperature as it readies the uterus to implant a fertilized egg on its walls. The bottom line is your basal body temperature would be the highest during the time of ovulation. Keep track of this for a few months to get an accurate idea of the same. To do this record your temperature in the morning even before you get out of the bed.

Check cervial changes: Ovulation isn’t a silent process, it gives enough signals. As the hormone shift happens it readies itself and also gives the egg the best position to get fertilized. In this process a lot happens to the cervix too. It looks different, cervical mucus or discharge increases in quantity and is thicker in consistency. Its more noble purpose is to carry the sperm to the ovum deep inside you.

Take help of an ovulation kit: To make things easy and simple get hold of an ovulation kit. Just like the home pregnancy test these strips can change colour and tell you if you are ovulating or not without much mess.

Look for other signs: Remember your body would give you enough signals subtly to know your ovulation periods. One sided pain in the lower abdomen during the middle of the cycle, spotting or tenderness in the breast all these could point that you are ovulating.  

The 8 best sex positions for getting pregnant

Having sex is fun, but trying to have a baby is probably one of the most stressful times in the life of a couple. While some are able to conceive easily, for others it is a waiting game that tests one’s patience like no other. So what can you do to make the process of ‘baby making’ more fun and successful? Here are some tips that work!

Tips to help you conceive:

While there are a number of myths about baby making – you must’ve heard many from your friendly neighborhood aunty to that nosy relative of yours who seem to know what you should do between the sheets – there are some basics that are the GMP (good manufacturing practices) of baby making. So, here goes:

Deep penetration: You must ensure that there is maximum penetration. This is because the tip of the penis should ideally be as close to the cervix as possible, helping shorten the distance sperms have to travel.

Let gravity do its job: Ideally you should aim to reduce the amount of work sperm has to do to get to the egg. Try not going against gravity, and give your pelvis a little tilt to make their journey a little easier.

Be stress free:  This is one the most important factors in conception.  Stress makes your body release a number of hormones that are counterproductive to conception, not to mention causing your body to tense up and making the vagina more rigid; taking away all the fun from having sex.  Before you scoff at the idea, consider this – a study conducted by the University of Oxford found that the enzymes and hormones  released while a woman is stressed reduces the chances of her getting pregnant by up to 12%, even during her most fertile period. So relax with some deep breathing, yoga or simply by pampering yourself.

Have fun and orgasm: This one is for the men.  A number of scientists say that it is not imperative for a woman to orgasm in order to have a baby. They are right, reproduction does take its course (after all those ‘almost pregnant’ moments when you least wanted it, you know it’s true) but making your woman have an orgasm has its own benefits. For starters, it makes her happy, opens up and dilates her cervix, lubricates her vagina and makes the uterus and vagina contract. All these factors put together are the perfect recipe for baby making.  Not to mention the fact that the tiny contractions along the vaginal wall and uterus help the sperm move along towards the uterus.

Sex positions for conception:

Missionary: The most common position, the missionary style of sex does have its benefits. In this position the woman lies on her back, with the man is on top. The fact that her pelvis is not tilted to face downwards helps the sperm move closer to the cervix helping in conception and the man has a great leeway to achieve better penetration. It also helps the couple feel closer, and most importantly makes the woman feel more connected to her man. Guys can slip in a little bit of naughtiness into this position for that added pleasure by talking dirty or by simply looking into the lady’s eyes while making love.Read how to master the missionary position properly

Glowing triangle: This pose is an offshoot of the missionary position. Here the man is on top with the woman below, the difference being that the man is on all fours with his legs extended out. The woman’s pelvis is raised (you can use a pillow for that added lift) and wrapped around the man. This position helps in increasing the depth of the penetration and helps tilt the woman’s pelvis upwards. The best part about this position is that the man need not move. The woman can do all the work.

The rock and roller or anvil: Something like the missionary, this position ensures that you penetrate deep, hit your woman’s G spot and help in conception while having a ‘rocking’ good time. In this position the woman is on her back and the man is on top. The woman then raises her legs such that they are above her head and the man penetrates. (Read: The Anvil: Hit the G-spot with this advanced sex position)

Doggy style: A great position – and most men will agree they love it – the doggy style is great for baby making. Apart from all the fun you can have with it, doggy style helps increase the amount of penetration and opens up the cervix just a little bit more than other positions.  This position checks all the boxes in our sex for conception check list. 

Magic mountain: This pose is just like the doggy style, but has the man bending over the woman, such that her back is against his chest. You can make the sex even more pleasurable by hugging as you have sex. Here, the woman is bent over at the waist, and can use pillows beneath her  to stabilise her upper body. You can reduce the number of pillows to increase the bend in the woman’s waist helping her pelvis tilt even more. This pose allows for deep penetration, hits the G spot, stimulates the clitoris and is perfect for baby making.

Spooning:  Another common position with great benefits. With the man behind the woman as they lie down, this pose ensures that the sperms reach the cervix as the woman’s pelvis is tilted at the right position. You can try variants of this pose where the woman’s legs are spread open and rest on the outer surface of the man’s thighs.  This not only adds to the spice of this position it helps you hold her really close. (Read: Top sex positions: Spooning)

Positions for the adventurous kind:

So you have been together for a long time and that spark has long since been extinguished. There is no reason to make having sex and conception another chore that you have to check off your list of to-dos. Here are some poses you could try to help things along:

Plough: In this position the woman is literally standing on her hands, with her legs in the air. The man gets between her legs, holding her legs with his hands – just like you would a wheel barrow. This position is hot in a very risqué way but it will definitely ensure you both have a lot of fun while at it. As an added bonus it helps in greater G-spot stimulation and better penetration.

Butterfly: This position ensures you get out of the bedroom and try having sex in other parts of the house (just make sure your shades are drawn). In this position the woman lies on her back on a table. The man steps in between her feet and raises her hips with his hands (you could add pillows for that added lift). This position raises the raunchy quotient of your sex life, ensuring better penetration and helps the sperms stay in the vagina. If nothing else this position is sure to leave you with some really amazing memories for the future.  

After sex:

Cuddle: When you are done with the act, it is a good idea to simply lie and cuddle. Before the men out there protest about how they would rather not, here is the reasoning behind it. During an orgasm and after sex a woman releases a powerful hormone. Unlike men, who simply release dopamine or the ‘feel good hormone’, women release oxytocin or the ‘cuddle hormone’. This hormone makes a woman want to bond with her partner. It also has other benefits –  it is responsible for streamlining her reproductive cycle, helps by giving her the biological need to care for her baby, assists the birthing process and starts the lactation or milk production cycle as well. So when you cuddle after having had a good time between the sheets, it helps in the production and sustenance of oxytocin, making the woman more able to conceive. Another great reason is that cuddling simple helps you both bond and feel good. If all else fails it might lead to some more fun.

Lie down: Another thing that women can do is to lie down with their legs up in the air with their pelvis raised off the bed. To make the insemination process more efficient she can place a few pillows below her lower back to help keep the sperms in the vagina longer and prevent it from flowing out. Although there are a large amount of sperm in one ejaculate, that are enough to impregnate a woman,  staying stationary for a while after ejaculation is a good way to help the process along.

Finally, sex should be fun, exciting and sensuous. Enjoy every moment of it  and watch the pregnancy test turn positive the next time you try.

15 Amazing Benefits of Ghee

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• Modern science now verifies what Ayurvedic health science has said for thousands of years: Ghee has a host of health and cooking benefits and is good for the mind and spirit.

I consider ghee — a form of clarified butter — an essential powerfood!

Great For Cooking and Taste

1.  Ghee has a high smoke point (250 °C  482 °F).
You can cook and fry with ghee and it will not break down into free radicals like many other oils.

2. Ghee does not spoil easily so does not need refrigeration.
Some ghee mixtures last up to 100 years.

3. Buttery taste without causing dairy allergies.
Ghee is made from butter but the milk solids and impurities have been removed so most people who are lactose or casein intolerant have no issue with ghee.

Ghee has a nutty buttery taste without disturbing dairy sensitivities.

High Nutrition:

4. Ghee is rich in the oil soluble vitamins, A D and E.

5.  Ghee is rich in K2 and CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) – an antioxidant with anti-viral properties if it is sourced from grass fed cows.

Energy and Weight Management

Ghee is converted directly into energy like carbohydrates.

6.  Ghee is Nutritionally Rich Like Coconut OilGhee is rich in medium chain fatty acids which are absorbed directly to the liver (like carbs) and burnt as energy. Athletes can use ghee as a consistent energy source.

7. Weight LossThe energy from these medium chain fatty acids can be used to burn other fats in the system and lose weight.

Digestion and Immune Strengthening
Ghee (unlike other oils) is rich in butyric acid, a short chain fatty acid. Beneficial intestinal bacteria convert fiber into butyric acid and then use that for energy and intestinal wall support.  A healthy body therefore makes it own form of ‘ghee’ but you can aid that greatly by just consuming it.

Eating ghee is like eating probiotics and prebiotics and fiber combined.

8. Healthy Digestive Tract
Research shows that people with unhealthy digestive tracts do not produce butyric acid.

9. Healthy Immune System
Research shows that adequate production of butyric acid supports the production of killer T cells in the gut, and thus a strong immune system.

10.  Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer

• Researchers are using oral butyrate supplements and butyrate enemas to treat inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
• Ayurvedic physicians have been using ghee enemas for centuries to decrease inflammation.

11. Strong Appetite
Ghee stimulates the secretion of gastric acid, thus aiding in the digestive process. Better digestion equals better health and weight loss.

Mind and Spirit

Ghee  can help cleanse negative emotions from the body and feed the positive.

12.  Molecules of Emotion
Modern research is now revealing that negative emotions have a chemical nature. This is what ancient cultures have always maintained, that the mind and body are one. These chemicals are attracted to and stored in fat.

Ghee can be used to replace those fats. Plus, if used properly in a cleanse, can attract and pull out these emotional toxins so they can be cleansed from the body.

13. Positive Food
Within Ayurveda, ghee is considered one of the most satvic foods. Satvic foods promote positivity, growth and expansion of consciousness.

14.  Holy Cow
The positive subtle effects of ghee is said to come from the fact that it comes freely from cows. Cows are special or holy because they receive and store thousands of spiritual energies from the environment. The milk from cows therefore contains the essence of all those energies and ghee is the essence of the milk.

Herbal Energizer

15.  Fry Your Spices in Ghee
Many of the medicinal properties of herbs and spices can be absorbed and transported to targeted areas of the body with ghee.
This is why Ayurveda uses ghee in thousands of different herbal preparation.
You can do the same thing by frying your kitchen spices in ghee before adding to your dishes.  

Making and Storing Ghee

Ghee is made the same as clarified butter but heated longer.  Learn how to: Make Ghee

The two things that will degrade ghee are water and sunlight.

• Always store your ghee in a container with a good seal in the dark.
• This is why it is best not to store ghee in the refrigerator if you are using it often. When you open it up to the warm air, water will condense on the ghee and cause oxidation.
• Ghee will last 2-3 months if you keep it in an airtight container.
• When kept in a refrigerator, without opening, ghee can last up to a year.

6 symptoms of prostate cancer all men should know

Prostate cancer is a common form of cancer that occurs in men above 60 years of age. Globally, it is the 2nd most common form of cancer diagnosed in men, and accounts for about 240,000 deaths yearly. In India, the prevalence is low compared to western countries but with changing lifestyle, more and more men are at an increased risk of suffering from prostate cancer.

One of the most challenging aspects about this disease is that it progresses very slowly and may take years until the actual signs start developing, which, in some cases might be after the disease has progressed to a great extent. Unfortunately, those who develop signs of the disease fail to recognise them as a problem, and avoid telling their family or doctor due to embarrassment. This leads to further delay in diagnosis and treatment, giving an opportunity for the cancerous cells to spread to different organs in the body.

Delayed start of urine stream: A slow start of urine stream that requires straining or additional force to expel urine out of the bladder is called hesitancy. This usually happens once the prostate gland begins to grow in size.

Dribbling or leakage of urine:Sometimes, the cancer growth may be aggressive causing an enlarged gland that presses against the urethra slightly. So every time you urinate, some amount of residual urine may be left behind in the bladder, which keeps dribbling.

Inability to empty the bladder: If the urethra gets partially blocked due to the cancerous growth, all the urine may not be expelled. As the cancer progresses, inability to empty the bladder may also develop.

Blood in the urine or semen: The prostate gland is mainly responsible for production of fluid that serves as a swimming medium for sperms during ejaculation. When the cells in the gland become cancerous and proliferate, blood vessels may get damaged leading to bleeding. As a result, blood may be seen in urine and semen.

Frequent urination: With some amount of residual urine in the bladder, you may feel a persistent urge to urinate. Other factors like irritation of the urethra due to alterations in kidney function may also increase the urge to urinate.

Pain in the pelvic region: Pain is a primary symptom in cancer patients, and in prostate cancer about 62% of patient experience excruciating pain. It worsens in case the cancerous cells spread and colonise in the vascular areas of the skeleton. Most of the times, men may experience pain during an orgasm, when the actual function of prostate gland comes into the picture. In some cases, persistent pain in the front and back pelvic region may occur.

If you have any of these signs and symptoms, you should visit a urologist immediately and get yourself diagnosed.

7 sex tips for people with breathing problems

People with breathing problems can surely enjoy sex if they take the necessary measures. The British Lung Foundation (BLF) has come up with tips for those having breathing problems to help them boost their sex lives.

Dr Noemi Eiser, the BLF’s medical director, said people suffering from lung conditions did not have to ‘compromise on intimacy. It is important that you talk to your partner about any worries and are open-minded and understanding. Creating a comfortable and trusting environment will prevent stress and shortness of breath,’ The Telegraph quoted her as saying.

The leaflet Sex and Breathlessness recommended the following sex tips for people with breathing problems. 

1. Have sex when you feel rested

Have sex when you feel rested and your breathing is at its best. Adequate rest will also take care of any stress you might be having because of your day to day life and that is always good for your sex life. 

2. Forcefully cough before sex

If at all you are going to cough, it is better to do it beforehand. Cough up some phlegm before indulging in sex and it’ll make your chest feel much lighter during the activity.  

3. Don’t have sex in the morning

Try and avoid having sex in the morning as that is the time you will be very like to produce more phlegm. If at all you feel extremely aroused in the morning, indulge in masturbation or foreplay to release tension.

4. Don’t have sex after a heavy meal or too much alcohol

Having sex right after a heavy meal or too much alcohol is a bad idea for anyone with breathing problems. Your stomach might feel bloated and your breathing will be weaker than normal. You don’t have to have sex all day, so making a fixed time for sex when you are completely relaxed should be a good idea.  

5. Take breaks during intercourse

In case you feel that you’re extremely short of breath during intercourse, just pause and take a few deep breaths to regain composure. You can resume having sex once you feel comfortable again. 

6. Try positions that exert little pressure on the chest

The typical missionary position may exert too much pressure on the chest. You could instead try positions like spooning.

7. Try home remedies

Besides taking these measures, it’ll also be a good idea to address your problems. You could try home remedies like mint leaves or pudina to reduce cough and asthma. Besides these, avoiding triggers for asthmatic attacks and eating foods that build your immunity will also help.