In 1981, homosexual men with symptoms of a disease named Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were first described in Los Angeles and New York. The men had an unusual type of lung infection (pneumonia) and rare skin tumors called Kaposi’s sarcoma. The patients were noted to have a severe reduction of a type of cell in the blood,which is an important part of the immune system, called CD4 cells. These cells, often referred to as T cells, help the body fight infections. Shortly thereafter, this disease was recognized throughout the United States, Western Europe, and Africa.

 In 1983, researchers in the United States and France described the virus that causes AIDS, now known as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and belonging to the group of viruses called retroviruses. More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981 and young people under 25 years accounts for half of all new HIV infection. India with worlds one of the largest HIV patients has largest number of AIDS deaths.(Nearly 50% of AIDS patients die of Tuberculosis in India.)

 The spread of HIV by exposure to infected blood usually results from HIV is present in the blood and genital secretions of virtually all individuals infected with HIV, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. The spread of HIV can occur when these secretions come in contact with tissues such as those lining the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes (the mucus membranes), or with a break in the skin, such as from a cut or puncture by a needle.

The most common ways in which HIV is spreading throughout the world include,

• Sexual contact
• Sharing needles
• Transmission from infected mothers to their newborns 
•  Infection from blood transfusions or blood products
• Transferred by casual exposure, as might occur in a household setting.
• Still, theoretical risks are associated with the sharing of toothbrushes and shaving razors

To avoid sexual transmission

• Abstinence from sex until it is certain that both partners  are not HIV-infected.
• The next best method is the use of latex barriers.

The most common symptoms of primary HIV infection are Fever, Aching muscles and joints, Sore throat, and; Swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck, Fleeting arthralgia  (joint pain), Maculo  papular  rash,  Tender lymphadenopathy, Occasionally encephalitis, Diarrhea, Mouth ulcers. Only some HIV-infected persons develop these symptoms.  Other infected persons will become symptom-free (asymptomatic) after this phase of primary infection.

During the asymptomatic stage of infection, literally billions of HIV particles are produced every day and circulate in the blood. This production of virus is associated with a decline in the number of CD4 cells in the blood over the ensuing years. It probably results from a direct effect of the virus on the cell as well as the body’s attempt to clear these infected cells from the system. In addition to virus in the blood, there is also virus throughout the body, especially in the lymph nodes, brain, and genital secretions.

Some people develop symptoms, signaling the complications of HIV that define AIDS, within 1 year of infection. Others, however, remain completely asymptomatic after as many as 20 years. The average time for progression from initial infection to AIDS is eight to 10 years. The  state  of  asymptomatic  phase  or  even  after  that  depends  on  immune  system.  Good  immunity  builds  lengthy  lifespan  with  better  living  where  as  poor  immunity  drag  us  towards  deadliest  stage  i.e.  death.

Clinical features

• Decreased production of blood cells by the bone marrow, most often causing Anaemia, and occasionally hyper pigmentation (most often of the nails).
• Damage nerves and cause peripheral neuropathy, a neurological condition with numbness and/or tingling of the feet and hands.
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) that causes nausea, vomiting and mid upper abdominal pain.
• Oral ulcers.
• Hypersensitivity reaction. [The hypersensitivity reaction most often causes fever and other symptoms, such as muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, rash or cough].
• Rare kidney damage
• Hyper pigmentation, most often on the palms and soles..

In individuals not infected with HIV, the CD4 count in the blood is normally above 500 cells per cubic milliliter (mm3) of blood. HIV-infected people generally do not become at risk for complications until their CD4 cells are fewer than 200 cells per mm3. At this level of CD4 cells, the immune system does not function adequately and is considered suppressed. A low CD4 cell count signals that the person is at risk for one of the many unusual infections (the so-called opportunistic infections) that occur in individuals who are immunosuppressed.

Complications of HIV disease :

Oral thrush (yeast infection in the mouth), Chronic unexplained diarrhoea, Fevers, Weight loss, Opportunistic infections,  Dementia (for example, forgetfulness).

Management through Naturopathy:

AIDS can be treated naturally. Researchers have found diet therapy and yoga is very effective for AIDS. Each individual needs to  understand  a  basic  idea  behind  maintaining  perfect  health  and  that  is  strongest  mind  which  in  turn can  rebuild  greater  amount  of  immunity. The focus should be

1. Improving the nutritional status
2. Enhancing the functions and balance the weakened system
3. Clearing the toxins from the body
4. Managing  Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Anger

Diet Therapy:

Proper dietary pattern that includes Fruits and juices, Drinking plenty of water, Eating  in regular intervals, Avoiding artificial food products, Taking fibre rich food, Consuming plenty of macro and micronutrients helps the patient.

Hydrotherapy

• Different types of tub baths and packs helps to tonify different systems of body.
• Enema helps in elimination of toxins
•  Jalanethi and sutranethi helps to activates the respiratory system and clears the pranic energy flow.
• Immersion bath with salt helps to activate the sweat pores and aids the process of elimination.

Role of Yoga :

Yoga  one  of  the  most  efficient  ancient  therapy,  today  again  is  on  revolution  with  a  goal  to  change  the  world  positively.  Variety  of  Yogic  techniques  like  body  postures,  breathing  techniques,  Mind  stability  techniques  and  still  many  others  can  fill  up  each  cell  of  our  body  with  powerful  resistance,  so  that  the  deadly  virus  doesn’t  dominate  and  attack  on  different  organs  of the  body.

Yoga helps to reduce Anxiety, Depression, Stress in all the following 5 levels i.e, Annamaya Kosha, Pranamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha and Anandamaya Kosha. Meditation,  Relaxation techniques,  Asanas,  Pranayamas,  Kriyas. Yoga found to be very effective in increasing Parasympathetic activity thus helps in reducing Anxiety, Heart rate, Respiratory rate and Blood pressure.

Effect of yoga on endocrine system:

• Yoga Supports the thymus gland
• Improves the circulation
• Improves oxygen flow and the transfer of energy from nutrients to cells
• Improves the flow of sinuses and flushing out mucous from the lungs
•  Increases the lung mobility
•  Rejuvenate internal organs
• Relaxes the nervous system and boosts immune response

Effect of yoga on cardiovascular system:

Improves blood circulation, Tonify the cardiac muscles and improves the oxygenation

Effect of yoga on digestive system:

Yogic kriyas enhances the immunity of Gastro Intestinal Tract and Improves digestive power

Effect of yoga on respiratory system:

Strengthens the respiratory muscles, Increases the vital capacity, increased oxygenation of blood.

AIDS though existing in the body, one can lead a healthy life with powerful vitality and stronger, peaceful mind.

Dr Venkataramana Hegde

Veda Wellness Center
Nisarga Mane, Sirsi,
Uttarakannada District
Ph:9448729434

The post How AIDS can be managed by yoga and diet therapy? appeared first on Health Vision.

Sunlight therapy also known as Heliotherapy dates back to the ancient Greeks. Sunlight is the best’s source of vitamin D. Some dermatologists have brainwashed our mind with the concepts that the ultra violet rays of the sun is harmful and we should stay away from sun. This has made people sun-phobic. Exposure to the sun does not mean burning the skin or getting tanned. The key lies in safe, limited, healthy and strategic exposure to sun.

Depriving people from healthy exposure, they miss out on optimizing on the numerous benefits of vitamin D required to build bones, reduce inflammation, and build strong immune system. Sun rays improve the vitality, and alleviates from nervous disability. Empowers the digestion, stimulates the digestive fire and increases the force of excretion. Gives mobility to the blood, cures all the skin diseases and strengthens the bones. Increases the proportion of calcium, phosphorus, and iron in the blood.

Reinforcing the immune system is one way to prevent contracting the Coronavirus (COVID-19), in addition to maintaining a healthy diet and life, basking in the sun can maintain body immunity. “Vitamin D also has immunomodulatory effects that can improve the body’s immune system,” This immune system is the body’s defence against viruses and bacteria that cause disease. Meanwhile, if the body lacks vitamin D, it can inhibit growth and be susceptible to viruses or bacteria.

Sunlight directly activates key immune cells

We all know sunlight provides vitamin D, which is suggested to have an impact on immunity, among other things. But what we found is a completely separate role of sunlight on immunity. Some of the roles attributed to vitamin D on immunity may be due to this new mechanism. “They specifically found that low levels of blue light, found in sun rays, makes disease fighting T cells in the skin move faster- marking the first reported human cell responding to sunlight by speeding its pace. Sunlight directly activates key immune cells by increasing their movement.”

Sunlight boosts your immune system

It is already proven that sunlight helps the body to produce vitamin D which is very important for good health, and now recent studies have revealed another powerful benefit of getting enough sun. Sunlight energizes the T-cells that play a central role in human immunity.”T-cells need to move to do their work, which is to get to the site of an infection and orchestrate a response,This study shows that sunlight directly activates key immune cells by increasing their movement.” T-cell activation is completely safe with no side effects, so it makes sense to offer it to patients to boost their immunity.

Sunbathing tips and precautions

• Wear SPF 30 or more and apply it 15 minutes before going outside. Make sure you cover your body in at least a full ounce of sunscreen. That’s about as much as the size of a golf ball or a full shot glass.
• Don’t forget to use SPF on the top of your head if it’s not protected by hair, as well as your hands, feet, and lips.
• Avoid tanning beds. Aside from being dangerous, most tanning beds barely contain UVB light to stimulate vitamin D production.
• Take breaks in the shade when you get hot.
• Drink water if you’re spending prolonged periods of time in the sun.
• Eat tomatoes, which contain large amount of lycopene, which research has found helps prevent skin redness from UV rays.
• Then, when is the right time to sunbathe to get enough sun exposure? The adequate sunbathing time is when the body’s shadow is shorter than height, while the recommended sunbathing time is about 10 to 15 minutes.

Besides, in the morning, the air atmosphere is not right, especially in big cities with high pollution levels. Many pollutants such as heavy metals still concentrated close to the surface, which pollutes the air in the morning. When sunbathing, direct skin exposed to sunlight. The use of hats, sunscreen, and clothing are blocking sun exposure to the surface.

At least the hands and feet exposed to sunlight. The veiled face is also exposed enough to be exposed to sunlight, so that sunbathing is not dull. Sunbathing is not a single activity, we can get sunlight with other activities such as gardening, lifting clothesline, and others in direct contact with sunlight. Several studies have mentioned that sufficient sun exposure causes the virus more difficult to survive in hot weather and effective at boosting body immunity.

Sunbathing benefits

Sun exposure helps the body make vitamin D naturally. This vitamin is essential but many people don’t get enough of it. Vitamin D deficiency is common and some estimates say that 1 billion people worldwide are deficient. Vitamin D can be difficult to get from food alone. It exists in certain fish and egg yolks, but most of it is consumed through fortified products like milk. Supplements are also available.

The benefits of sunlight and vitamin D include:

1. It elevates mood: The sun works through a number of receptors in the brain to affect our mental status and alertness. Moderate sunlight exposure helps improve your mood and focus by boosting the serotonin levels in your body. Also known as the ‘happiness hormone’, it makes you calm and alert. Also, “sunlight decreases the risk of depression in those at risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD),”

2. It improves sleep:  The brighter your daylight exposure, the more melatonin you produce at night,” Melatonin is a type of hormone that’s “produced by the pineal gland in the brain during darkness at night”, Also known as the sleep hormone, melatonin has “a range of effects on the brain, from improving sleep to synchronizing your biological clocks, and lowering stress reactivity,” Additionally, the amount of daylight exposure you get is crucial in maintaining a normal circadian rhythm.  “Distorted circadian rhythms can induce symptoms of both depression and bipolar disorder, depending on the pattern of disruption.

3.It promotes bone growth: Vitamin D is “a hormone that promotes calcium absorption and is essential for bone growth and formation .Since sunlight is a primary source of Vitamin D, the hormone is also dubbed as ‘the sunshine vitamin.” The Vitamin D found in our body needs activation. The sun helps to convert inactive Vitamin D levels to active,”, getting anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands, and face twice or thrice a week is enough to reap the vitamin D-boosting benefits of the sun.

4. It helps strengthen the immune system: Strong association studies have found that Vitamin D is also very important in signalling the immune system. It appears to be necessary in adequate amounts to turn on your ability to survey the rest of your cells. Since regular sun exposure is one of the most robust ways to up active Vitamin-D levels in your body, it can help beef up your immune system as well. “Inadequate levels of this vitamin have been associated with an increased rate of infection, cancer, and mortality rate after surgery.

5. It lowers blood pressure: According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the Edinburgh University, moderate exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause a significant drop in blood pressure levels. Lower blood pressure levels help cut down the risk of stroke and heart disease.

6. It may reduce the risk of melanoma: The skin’s exposure to ultraviolet radiation of short wavelength (UVB) has been associated with a decreased risk of melanoma. The research found that outdoor workers who were exposed to regular sunlight had a lower risk of developing skin cancer compared to their indoor counterparts. Other than that, an adequate amount of sunlight has also been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers (including colon, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer), suggests a study published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal.

Some of the essential benefits of sun rays are:

• Sun rays has unique healing power, it disinfects and heal wounds and also kills the bad bacteria and cures fungal infection of the skin.
• Protects against dementia and brain aging
• Good for loosing excess fat
• Essential for decreasing symptoms of asthma
• Sunlight has a beneficial effect on skin disorders, such as psoriasis, acne and eczema. Sunlight penetrates deep into the skin to cleanse the blood and the blood vessels.
• The sunlight’s lowers high cholesterol by converting high cholesterol in the blood into steroid hormones.
• The sunlight activates the cells and tissues by increasing the flow of oxygen in the blood. The sunlight has a great impact on building the stamina and fitness of the individuals.
• Sunlight exposure is also known to positively increase the growth and height of children, especially babies. The amount of sun exposure in new born babies till 4-5 months has an great impact on the growth of the child.
• The mantra is right, moderate and slow exposure to the sun. Do not be vitamin D deficient by depriving your body of natural vitamin D direct from the sun.

Alternatives to sunbathing

Sunbathing is one way for your body to reap the benefits of the sun, but it’s not the only way. If you don’t want to lie in the sun but still want the benefits, you can:

• Exercise outside
• Go for a 30-minute walk
• Open the windows while you drive
• Park farther from your work and walk
• Eat a meal outdoors
• Take a vitamin D supplement
• Invest in a UV lamp
• Eat foods rich in vitamin D

Dr.Nandhini V. Mohan & Dr Venkataramana Hegde
Veda wellness center
Nisarga Mane Sirsi
Uttarakannada District
Ph: 9597019032/ 9448729434
Email : nisargamane6@gmail.com

The post The Healing Heliotherapy : Impact on Immunity appeared first on Health Vision.

Passion fruit – Nutritional facts and Health benefits.

Passion fruit is a type of berry, a fruit of passiflora vine. It has a tough outer rind and juicy seed filled centre. Although it is a tropical fruit, some varieties can survive in a sub-tropical climate. There are 2 types – passiflora edulis (purple) and passiflora flavicarpa (yellow). It is rich in carotenoids and polyphenols. And usually body will not absorb iron from plant. However, the iron in this fruit comes with a lot of vitamin-C, which is known to enhance iron’s absorption.

*RDI – Recommended Dietary Intake

Health benefits of  passion fruit:

Anti-oxidants: It protects our body from free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage our cells when they are present in large numbers. It protects against chronic inflammation and diseases like heart diseases and cancer.

Dietary fibre: Soluble fibre is important for keeping our gut healthy. It helps to slow the digestion of our food, which can prevent blood sugar spikes. It also lowers the risk of disease including heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Boosts immunity: It acts as an antioxidants which scavenge free radicals from the body and neutralize them before they harm internal organs and other systems.

Prevents cancer: It is also powerful source to enhance anti-carcinogenic activity in the body. Antioxidants in passion fruit primarily eliminate free radicals which are known for mutating the DNA of healthy cells into cancerous cells.

Rich in Vitamin-A: Vitamin-A is also linked to eye health benefits, including the prevention of macular degeneration, cataracts and night blindness. It is also helpful in reducing wrinkles, and promotes the proper functioning of membranes throughout the body, including the skin, to keep it hydrated and glowing.

Helps in digestion: Passion fruit is a good source of soluble fibre, which acts as a bulk laxative, moving food through the digestive tract, and reducing exposure time of the colon to any toxins.

Reduces blood pressure: Consumption of 1 serving of passion fruit every day, can satisfy ¼ of our potassium needs. So, it relaxes the tension of blood vessels and promotes blood flow because of high copper and iron content.

Improves bone health: It is a rich source of minerals like iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorous. This fruit increases the bone mineral, density and bone strength. It create additional bone matter and speeding up repair.

Treats insomnia: In passion fruit there is a medicinal alkaloid, Harman which functions as a sedative. Hence it helps in reduction of insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety.

Soothes respiratory conditions: Extract from the purple passion fruit peel creates a novel mixture of bioflavonoids, which have an expectorant, sedative and soothing effect on the respiratory system. It has been positively connected to a reduction in asthma attacks, wheezing and whooping cough.

Helps in diabetes: The low glycemic index and high fibre content of the fruit fights against diabetes. The fruit is also rich in pectin, a type of fibre that keeps us full without increasing our calorie intake. The sugar in the fruit is slowly absorbed into the blood stream and this prevents sugar crashes and cravings.

Is beneficial during pregnancy: The folate in passion fruit helps in the growth and development of the foetus and prevents neural tube defects in infants.

Dr Venkataramana Hegde &  Dr.Nandhini V. Mohan
Veda wellness center
Nisarga Mane Sirsi
Uttarakannada District.

Ph: 9448729434 / 9597019032

Email : nisargamane6@gmail.com

The post Passion fruit – Nutritional facts and Health benefits appeared first on Health Vision.