Know the health benefits of various seeds, which are sometimes referred to as ‘super seeds’, and how to include them in your diet for weight loss, better heart health and blood sugar control.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

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Tomato-Beetroot Juice: Besides adding flavour to our food, tomatoes are packed with several nutrients and have number of health benefits; weight loss being one of them.

Tomato-Beetroot Juice: Have you ever imagined a curry without tomatoes? They make an important part of the Indian cuisine. Tomatoes not only add falvour (tanginess) to a dish, but are also responsible for the texture and consistency of gravy. However, the usage of these red-coloured fruits do not limit to gravy-based dishes. They are also added to different other dishes like raitas, salads, chutneys etc. Besides adding flavour to our food, tomatoes are packed with several nutrients and have number of health benefits; weight loss being one of them. Hence, we bring you a tomato-based juice recipe (tomato-beetroot juice) that also has the goodness of beetroot.

How Tomato-Beetroot Juice Promote Weight Loss?

• Tomatoes are low in calorie and rich in fibre, which keeps a person full for a longer time. It also helps to promote better metabolism, leading to weight loss.
• Beetroot also packed with dietary fibre which makes it an ideal vegetable for the people who are trying to shed the extra kilos.
• Both tomatoes and beetroot are rich in antioxidants, which help to flush out the toxins from body and boost energy. Hence this juice in the morning can provide a healthy start to the day.
• Tomato-beetroot juice is also rich in vitamin C, which helps to strengthen immunity.

Ingredients:

Tomatoes- 2-3

Beetroot- 1

Mint leaves- 3-4

Pink/black salt- as per taste

Black pepper powder- 1 teaspoon

Honey- 1.5 teaspoon

Lemon juice- 1-2 teaspoon

Ice- 1/4th cup (crushed)

Preparation:-

Step 1. Deseed tomatoes and dice them.

Step 2. Peel beetroot and chop it into small pieces.

Step 3. Add the tomatoes and beetroot in a juicer and blend them well. Do not add extra water.

Step 4. Add mint leaves blend again.

Step 5. Take a tall glass; add the crushed ice cubes as base.

Step 6. Strain the juice in the glass and add honey, black pepper powder, pink/black salt and lemon juice and stir.

Step 7. Garnish with a mint leaf and lemon slice and serve cold.

This tomato-beetroot juice may also help to protect the skin from extreme heat during the summer season and make it soft, supple and glowing from within. So try this at home and give yourself a dose of all things good. Stay healthy, stay safe!

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Make your weight-loss-friendly, detox tea with ajwain (carom seeds) and jeera (cumin seeds) to attain a healthy and fit body. Both these spices belch out all their properties in this tea, letting us reap their full health benefits.

Losing weight might seem like a monumental task, but little effort on your part can make a huge difference. Small things can make a big impact, only if done regularly. Even a cup of tea with the right ingredients can push you towards your weight loss goal. Make your weight-loss-friendly, detox tea with ajwain (carom seeds) and jeera (cumin seeds) to attain a healthy and fit body. Both these spices are regularly used in Indian cooking; they belch out all their properties in this tea, letting us reap their full health benefits.

Ajwain for weight loss:

You must have noticed the presence of ajwain on most of the heavy foods we cook – pooris, kachoris etc. This is done not just for its unique flavour, but also for its ability to help digest and eliminate the food easily. A good digestive system prevents weight gain. Thymol present in ajwain, imparts the spice its distinct taste and aroma, and also helps release gastric juices in the stomach that may aid digestion. Ajwain is also rich in antioxidants that may flush out toxins from the body, besides improving our metabolism.

Jeera is used as a base ingredient in almost all food preparations. Jeera-infused water releases digestive enzymes that may sooth the digestion process and may help in relieving stomach problems like indigestion, bloating and acidity.

Consultant Nutritionist Rupali Datta explains, “The body is unable to absorb nutrients properly that result in slower rate of waste elimination in case of poor digestion. This may lead to lower metabolism power, which makes it tough for the body to burn calories. Hence, consuming digestion-friendly foods may automatically accelerate the weight loss process. 

How to make ajwain jeera tea for weight loss –

Soak half teaspoon ajwain and 1 tsp jeera in a glass of water for about 2 hours or overnight. Then boil the water along with the seeds for 5 minutes. Strain the tea, add few drops of lemon juice and drink.

Feel free to add variations to the tea according to your taste preference. You can even add other weight-loss friendly foods like mint leaves or ginger. You can also replace lemon juice with honey if you like your tea sweet.

Infusing these spices in water before making the tea ensures proper absorption of their nutrients. Take a step ahead in your weight loss journey with this weight loss herbal concoction.

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A plant based diet contains very few or no animal products. It can offer you several health benefits including weight loss and better heart health.

A plant-based diet consists of foods only from plant-based sources. Unlike a vegan diet, a plant-based diet can include a small amount of animal products. This diet involves consuming mostly or only foods from plant-based sources. Plan based diet offers several health benefits as well. Most plant-based diets are loaded with fruits and vegetables. These are good sources of essential nutrients. From vitamins to fibre, plant-based diet can offer you all the necessary nutrients. Studies have also highlighted that a plant-based diet can offer benefits for your heart.

Benefits of plant-based diet for heart

According to studies, reducing animal product intake and following a primarily plant-based diet can decrease the risk of heart disease. The study further adds that plant-based food minimises the negative effects of a gut-microbiome associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.

The body’s gut microbiota is comprised of a series of microbes that play an important role in our metabolism, nutrient absorption, energy levels and immune response. A gut-microbiota related metabolite known as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is produced when gut bacteria digest nutrients commonly found in animal products such as red meat. It has been connected to increased heart attack and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.

According to the researchers, maintaining a vegan or vegetarian diet has been found to reduce the amount of TMAO produced in the body.

Other health benefits of plant-based diet

Following a plant-based diet can offer several other health benefits. Some of the notable health benefits may include-

1. It can help in weight loss

A plant-based diet can also help in weight loss. Most plant-based sources are high in fibre which can keep you full for longer and make you consume fewer calories. If considered for weight loss, a plant-based diet can also provide you the right nutrition as well.

2. May prevent diabetes

According to a study conducted in 2016, consumption of a plant-based diet especially rich in high-quality plant-based foods can lower the risk of type-2 diabetes.

3. Can help control blood pressure and poor cholesterol levels

Most foods in a plant-based diet are healthy for you. These can help in controlling your blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels. These factors contribute to better hearth health.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Do a quick scroll through Instagram, and chances are you’ll see a slew of wellness and fitness personalities touting the benefits of collagen peptide powder and adding it to their smoothies.

So what exactly is collagen and why are some people clamoring for it?

“Collagen is a structural protein made up of amino acids that’s found naturally in the connective tissue of our bodies, such as our skin, hair, muscles, bones and even blood vessels,” Keri Gans, registered dietitian nutritionist and author of The Small Change Diet, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “It is essentially the ‘glue’ that holds our body together, enables us to move and find stability.”

Adds Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in Mount Sinai Hospital’s department of dermatology, “Collagen is the main protein in our skin that provides structure and support.”

And it’s that structure and support that plays a role in keeping skin looking smooth, firm, and wrinkle-free. But collagen production slows down as we age, which is why many people are turning to consuming collagen peptides (also known as hydrolyzed collagen) in the hopes that the supplements will reverse or at least stave off skin aging.

“The hope for ingestible collagen is that it helps strengthen our skin to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as enhance skin texture,” Zeichner tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

But does consuming collagen powder actually do anything? Possibly.

“The true benefit of ingestible collagen is unclear,” says Zeichner. “Since collagen is a large molecule, it is broken down by our gut into smaller pieces. The smaller pieces and individual amino acids may serve as building blocks for new collagen production. I look at ingestible collagen similar to the way I look at eating a high-protein meal.”

Adds Gans: “Many individuals believe the numerous health claims in regards to collagen. There are claims that it can reduce constipation, improve gut health, improve sleep, decrease anxiety, reduce joint pain, eliminate food cravings and has anti-aging properties.”

What are the benefits?

Although more research is needed, there are some studies that have looked into collagen supplements’ potential benefits — particularly for easing joint pain. “Some preliminary research suggests collagen supplements may help reduce knee pain among people with osteoarthritis, and help reduce joint deterioration in athletes,” says Gans.

While it’s no fountain of youth, there is some good news for people who are consuming collagen hoping to improve their skin and hair. “One small study revealed collagen supplements improved skin elasticity, but didn’t do any more than a placebo to improve skin moisture and evaporation,” says Gans. A 2019 review of several studies showed that collagen supplements increase skin elasticity and hydration.

It may also help with brittle, fragile nails. A small 2017 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that consuming collagen peptides daily for 24 weeks helped prevent nail breakage, increase nail growth, and improved the appearance of brittle nails.

How safe is it?

Collagen supplements are considered safe for the most part — as Zeichner puts it: “The only harm is to your pocketbook, as many of the collagen powders are pricey.” However, it’s important to read up on the source of the supplement’s main ingredient. The collagen found in supplements is typically sourced from cow (bovine) hides, as well as chicken cartilage, but in some cases they can be made from fish or eggs, which can be dangerous for people with those food allergies.

“As with any supplement, one should read the label closely to make sure it doesn’t include any allergens that they are sensitive to,” suggests Gans. “Also, if on any medications a person should discuss with their doctor or a registered dietitian before implementing in their daily diet.”

If you’re interested in trying collagen peptides powder, your best bet is to stick with a well-known brand, such as Vital Proteins. As Gans points out: “Like all supplements, collagen is not closely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration — therefore, one should choose nationally-recognized brands or store brands from a retailer they trust. Consumers can also look for a seal from a third-party certifier, such as NSF International, UL or USP.” You may also want to start with unflavored collagen peptide powder, which you can add to smoothies, as well as hot and cold beverages like coffee, without altering the flavor.

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In this post, I discuss some of my favorite clinically proven or researched methods for aging well. We are going to discuss the magic 8. These eight tips include behaviors, diet, exercise, hydration, sleep, skin care, supplements, and injectables. I have even added a bonus tip for you that I have experienced multiple times as my secret weapon and can’t wait to tell you about it.

FULL-TRANSCRIPT

Welcome back my fellow lifestyle enthusiasts. If you are new, I’m Linne and you should probably know that I’m obsessed with all things lifestyle and how they impact your overall health!. As a physician and a researcher, my goal is to provide the overwhelmed and maybe out of shape individual with simple tactics to improve your lifestyle and thus improve your health and well-being. So, if you’re into that kind of thing, then you’re in the right place.

Today we are going to discuss my top 8 methods for aging well. As a physician who sees patients in a medical day spa, I am often asked about ways to age gracefully and slow down the hands of time. I want to share these methods with you today. And while some of them are common sense, others may surprise you. And quite honestly, most folks are not practicing the simple tactics on a regular basis.

And, by the way, if you are a lifestyle enthusiast and obsessed with all things health, then SHARE THIS POST with your friends, leave a comment below, and hang on because we’re going to discuss some fun stuff today.

Have you even looked in the mirror and felt that you aged over-night; that all of a sudden there is saggy skin where it didn’t use to be, there are new lines on your face, you look tired, there are spots where they don’t belong, your body is not in the shape you want nor is your energy where it needs to be to get things done? Quite frankly, the reason that I love this topic so much is that there are many new thoughts and technologies constantly surfacing that deserve a little attention in the anti-aging discussions. We all want to age well, but most of us don’t know what is truly working when it comes to daily practices and regimens.

“At 44, I have learned that aging is increasingly mind over matter. As I grow older my mind is more filled with positivity and hope for the future and less filled with worries about what others think, as what others think doesn’t matter as much”

— LINNÉ LINDER

“Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been”

— DAVID BOWIE

BEHAVIORS: The largest contributing factor to aging is stress. If you caught my video on cortisol and aging you know that stress utilizes precious amino acids for fuel. And guess what your collagen fibers are made of? Yep. So, if you think you can run yourself ragged being the type of person who is always on the go, exercising intensely every day, and drinking a gallon of coffee, you are in for an unfortunate surprise. The best thing you can do is slow down. Cut things out from your schedule, adopt a meditation practice, wear a monitor that measures your parasympathetic responses to stress and helps you recalibrate (like heart math).
DIET: If you’ve read The Forever Fat Burner, you know that I am a fan of lower carbohydrate diets. But that is not because it is trendy or helps you lose weight, per se. While weight loss is a natural consequence of eating lower carb, the truth is that sugar is a toxin. Without insulin to shunt sugar out of your bloodstream, sugar could destroy you. It also destroys chromosomes and shortens telomere length. So, avoiding sugar is key to preventing advanced glycation end products. These AGES are caused when protein and fat attach to sugar in your bloodstream or when you eat overcooked foods. High levels are linked to obesity, heart disease, kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s.
EXERCISE: When it comes to exercise, we need to find the Goldilocks amount. Most individuals are either not exercising enough or exercising too much. Very few people have found what I like to call the minimum effective dose. I can’t tell you how many of my weight loss patients have tried cutting calories and exercising intensely at gym classes or they like to run for miles a day. Nearly every time we test their circadian rhythm, their adrenals are shot. In other words, their efforts are backfiring. Their body perceives the exercise as a stressor and their body produces too much cortisol. As we just discussed, this level of stress causes weight loss resistance. So, what do I recommend to my weight loss patients and those who want to improve the aging process? A mini trampoline. Yeah, crazy but true. It is the number one best way to improve your overall health and well-being. It provides just the right amount of stress on every cell in your body. You are strength training, improving cardiovascular capacity, and stretching every muscle in your body. You are improving bone density, coordination, and strengthening every collagen fiber in your skin and subcutaneous tissue. Hands down, if there was only one thing I could do to improve my overall health, it would be rebounding. Period. Here is my magic formula for finding your minimum effective dose: Do a form of high-intensity interval training (ideally on your trampoline) for 4-15 minutes, 2-3x per week. This is going as fast as you can for 30 seconds, resting for 30 sec to a minute then repeating this cycle 8 times. Then on the other days do 20-40 minutes of fun cardio (on the trampoline, dancing, yoga, walking). On the weekends do low intensity, long exercise like hiking for 2-3 hours. That’s it. If you have to, add some muscle work in 2-3 times per week with body weight resistance for 20 minutes; however, if you are using the trampoline, you won’t need to. It is doing the resistance work for you.
HYDRATION: Dehydration can influence cognition and even a mild level can disrupt mood, concentration, alertness, and short-term memory in children, young adults, and the elderly. While the link to skin aging and dehydration is debatable, it is true that your skin cells are 30% water and it is visually apparent when I see (and feel) dehydrated tissue. Dehydration can cause adverse changes in mood, vigor, and fatigue, as well as increased headaches and difficulty concentrating among young women, and musculoskeletal pain. The best time to hydrate is first thing in the morning. I like to drink 3-4 cups of water when I wake up, then wait for 45 minutes or so to have my morning coffee.
SLEEP: Getting a good night’s rest has a plethora of health benefits and is number one in turning back the hands of time. Sleep helps you to regenerate cellular function and repair damaged tissue. More sleep equals more repair. More repair equals fewer wrinkles. Sleep deprivation decreases the blood flow to your face. Less blood flow translates to dull, lifeless skin. Going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day and getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night is your ticket to your healthiest appearance.
SKINCARE: Would you ever buy a new car and never wash it? Would you buy a leather couch and never condition or treat it? Just like cars need regular tune-ups, your face needs regular professional love. Getting facials and maintaining the results with a higher quality skin care regimen is key to glowing skin. I’m going to step on a lot of toes here. Did you know the FDA approves multiple levels of products? Gas, food, over the counter, physician grade, and pharmaceutical grade. Did you know that by law, over the counter products cannot change the structure of your skin whereas medical grade skin care products, known for high concentration of active ingredients, are formulated to reach the deepest levels of the skin to help skin cell turn-over, collagen and elastin production in order to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, acne scarring, and problematic areas. Through years invested in clinical research, these products have been scientifically proven to work. If you are dealing with acne, sunspots, or aging, you need skin care products that will penetrate the deepest level of the skin, not a product that won’t penetrate shedding skin. A scary fact about OTC products is that they are not required to have clinical studies done, which means the claims they make are not proven to be true. In essence, an OTC product cannot change the quality of your skin beneath the outer layer of your skin otherwise they would be considered pharmaceutical or physician grade. Therefore, with most OTC products, you might have softer skin, but you aren’t doing a darn thing to enhance the quality of your skin. As a physician who specializes in aging-well practices, I find that a lot of my patients age on the left side of their face faster than the right! Why is this? Most likely because of the lack of sun protection while driving. So, always wear sunscreen, even if you will be mostly in your car.
SUPPLEMENTS AND SUPERFOODS: I have a few secret weapons for building beautiful skin and aging well. One of my top favorites is tea; but not just any tea. I drink the tea that centurians in China drink as part of their daily rituals. And while green tea has incredible benefits, it isn’t the only one I drink. I love Gynostemma Pentaphyllum tea (Jiagogulan). The best part is it helps you to relax, restore good sleep, and improve energy levels. It has been widely used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of several diseases, including hepatitis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. There are numerous studies on the potential benefits of preventing cancer as well. In addition, I add hydrolyzed collagen to my smoothies each morning, add a few drops of the element activated silicon and I take high doses of biotin for hair, skin, and nail strength. I also love the overall health benefits of taking high doses of omega 3 fatty acids (from a good source of fish oil).
NEUROMODULATORS: I get asked about these two things a lot and so I will create a separate video for you to discuss these tools for aging well. In a nutshell, neuromodulators such as Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport help the lines in your upper face to soften – kind of like taking a magic eraser to your face and turning back the time clock a few years. Fillers have several different consistencies, and depending upon their performance can enhance areas of bone loss, provide structure and volume where there has been volume loss, and fill in deeper lines that Botox is not indicated for. In the right artist’s hands, these products can be applied to create a natural, well-rested, refreshed look; rather than an overdone surgical look as we often see in reality TV shows.
BONUS: lastly, one of my favorite tools for turning back time is technology. We live in a fabulous day and age where we have access to lasers, ultrasound, radio frequency, and many others to help with pigmentation, texture resurfacing, lifting and tightening tissue, and stimulating collagen growth. We’re born with a crazy amount of collagen in our skin; however, the body’s production of collagen slows in our mid-to-late 20’s and decreases dramatically after age 30. Thereafter, the collagen levels in our skin begin to drop by 1-2% each year. Therefore, the more we can stimulate collagen growth with strategic, targeted energy that heats the tissue and stimulates new growth of collagen and elastin fibers, the more we can “naturally” bank our own collagen and thus improve tone and texture of the skin. I recommend you get an aesthetics consult at a medical clinic near you to determine what technology is best for you.
So to summarize, we don’t have to let Father Time have a hay day with our body. We can step ahead of the game by educating ourselves on our options. So, I’ve just scratched the surface of my favorite aging-well practices. I hope that you found some of these tips useful and empowering.

Do me a favor and just pick one of these 9 suggestions to help you in your aging-well practices. Leave a comment below and tell us which one of these nine you are going to commit to trying (or researching) for the next 30 days.

Once you gain momentum you can tackle the other 8 areas to supercharge your youthfulness.

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