Health

Makhana, a popular snacking option and a staple in Indian pantries for decades, has been in the spotlight in recent times, being hailed as a superfood due to its health benefits. During Budget 2025 session, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the formation of a special ‘Makhana Board’ in Bihar. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also revealed in a rally that he consumes makhana 300 days in a year. Given the rising demand for this global superfood, which is also referred to as fox nut or lotus seed, and an increased focus on its cultivation in India, Amreen Sheikh, Head Dietician, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, reveals why it should be a part of your diet. “Makhana is often considered a superfood because of its rich nutritional profile. It is naturally gluten-free, low in calorie...

A team of international researchers has developed a new blood test that could predict the risk of about 30 age-related conditions like lung cancer and heart disease that can appear decades later.  The blood test measures the age of different organs of the human body to predict the risk. The team including from the UK, France, and the US said the quick and easy blood test identifies whether a specific organ is ageing faster than expected -- an advance that may pave the way for personalised prevention and treatment methods. The findings based on 20 years of follow-up data revealed that a heart that aged more rapidly predicted a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, while accelerated lung ageing predisposed people to respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary d...

The global number of cases of osteoarthritis, as well as the disability associated with the condition, have risen by more than 130 per cent over the past three decades among women who have gone through menopause, according to a study.  Deterioration and damage of joint cartilage lead to osteoarthritis. It is followed by bony remodelling, joint dysfunction, and chronic pain. In 2020 alone, an estimated 595 million people worldwide were living with the condition, comprising nearly 8 per cent of the world’s population, with postmenopausal women at heightened risk. In 2021 there were 14,258,581 new cases of osteoarthritis; 278,568,950 existing cases; and 99,447,16 years of healthy life lost (DALYs), representing increases of 133 per cent, 140 per cent, and 142 per cent since 1990, respective...

Leg, ankle and foot swelling is often considered common and dismissed as nothing serious, citing its causes to be sitting too long, standing too long, eating a salty dinner, etc. However, persistent or increasingly serious swelling, which doctors refer to as ‘edema’, may warn of a serious issue such as kidney disease. Dr Manas Ranjan Pradhan, Senior Consultant, Urologist, Manipal Hospital, Bhubaneshwar, explains, “The kidneys are essential to maintain the fluid balance in the body through filtration of waste and excess fluid from the blood. As kidney function falls, the body is unable to expel this excess fluid, and it accumulates in tissues—most commonly in the lower limbs. This causes evident swelling, which is most prominent around the ankles and feet.” Signs to look out for Not all ...

A plastic spoon’s worth of plastic is inside your brain, researchers warned on Tuesday, showing alarming new evidence about microplastic accumulation in human brain tissue. Published in the journal Brain Medicine, the research revealed that human brains contain approximately a spoon`s worth of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs), with levels 3-5 times higher in individuals with documented dementia diagnoses. More concerning still, brain tissues showed 7-30 times higher concentrations of MNPs compared to other organs like the liver or kidney. "The dramatic increase in brain microplastic concentrations over just eight years, from 2016 to 2024, is particularly alarming," said Dr Nicholas Fabiano from the University of Ottawa`s Department of Psychiatry and lead author of the commentary. "...

Limiting exposure to screens and reducing gaming volume is essential to prevent hearing loss in children, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on World Hearing Day on Monday.  World Hearing Day is observed every year on March 3 to raise awareness about preventing deafness and hearing loss and to advocate for ear and hearing care worldwide. The theme this year is "Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all”. The Ministry noted that kids are the most vulnerable for hearing loss due to increased exposure to screen time, and loud sounds from online games. “WorldHearingDay2025 | Children are more vulnerable to hearing damage caused by loud sounds, gaming, and excessive screen time,” the Ministry said, in a post on social media platform X. ...

Gaining popularity for its sustainability, and impressive health benefits, pea protein has emerged as a nutritional powerhouse. Pea protein is also known for its digestibility, and being a complete plant-based protein source that supports muscle growth, recovery, and overall well-being. To delve deeper into its nutritional profile, comparative benefits, and suggested daily intake, Edwina Raj, head of services, clinical nutrition and dietetics at Aster CMI hospital, Bangalore, and Samriddha Dasgupta Sarkar, clinical nutritionist consulting on Practo, answer the most frequently asked questions about pea protein. What makes pea protein a ‘complete’ protein?  Raj: Pea protein is often regarded as a complete protein due to its impressive profile of essential amino acids. It contains all nine ...

People with obstructive sleep apnoea have an increased risk of suffering from Parkinson`s disease, according to a study. Obstructive sleep apnoea is when throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway, causing a person to wake up repeatedly to breathe. This disrupted sleep pattern can lower oxygen levels, affecting the brain. Researchers from the VA Portland Health Care System in Oregon, US looked at rates of Parkinson`s disease five years after a sleep apnoea diagnosis. They reviewed more than 20 years of medical records to identify nearly 1.6 million older adults who had obstructive sleep apnoea. After adjusting for age, sex, and health factors such as smoking, they found among people with sleep apnoea, there were 1.8 more cases of Parkinson`s disease per 1,000 people compared...

A team of researchers has identified small molecules in the blood that may impact early childhood development. The McMaster University team shows how dietary exposures, early life experiences, and gut health can influence a child`s growth and cognitive milestones. The team collaborated with Brazilian scientists to conduct an untargeted metabolomic analysis of blood samples taken from more than 5,000 children between the ages of six months and five years as part of the Brazilian National Survey of Child Nutrition study. They found several metabolites – small molecules that are by-products of human metabolism and microbial fermentation, known as uremic toxins – were inversely associated with developmental outcomes. Metabolites play important roles in human health especially at early stag...

A new study has offered intriguing new insights into the origins of type 2 diabetes and obesity, as well as the brain`s function as a critical control centre. The hormone insulin plays a key role in the development of obesity. Up until recently, there have been numerous signs indicating insulin causes neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders, especially in the brain. The latest study by the University Hospital of Tubingen, the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), and Helmholtz Munich now offers new insights. Unhealthy body fat distribution and chronic weight gain are linked to the brain`s sensitivity to insulin. What specific functions does insulin perform in the brain, and how does it affect individuals of normal weight? In their study, published in the journal Nature Metabolis...