Skip to main content

Ayurvedic Tips for Aging in our sunset years🌛

Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world.  That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that  aging  ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br

Are Cast Iron Pans Safe ?

         

Cast iron pans have been a part of the kitchen cookware for hundreds of years. These utensils may take time to heat, but they are perfect for roasting, sautéing, searing and baking foods. However, cast iron pans can be a matter of concern for individuals with iron overload. Let’s have a look at it:
Cast iron pans can be good or bad for you, depending on your body’s iron requirements. Studies have found that the iron content of the food cooked in iron pot increases. Now, this can be beneficial for individuals with iron deficiency anemia, growing children and premenopausal women. (1)
But, cast iron pans may not be the best choice for individuals with hemochromatosis, a condition in which too much iron is present in the body. Excess iron can be dangerous for the organs and may even lead to cancer. Thus, such individuals must avoid the use of cast iron pans. (2)
Furthermore, the human body stores excess iron in the liver, heart and pancreas. It may increase the risk of liver and heart diseases and diabetes mellitus.
Hence, such individuals must keep a check on the consumption of iron-rich foods and avoid eating foods cooked in cast iron pans.
Moreover, excess iron is dangerous for the body as it may lead to oxidative stress. It may cause the free radicals to damage the tissues, further increasing the risk of certain types of cancer. It is not observed in healthy individuals, but people with impaired iron metabolism may be at a higher risk. (3)
Conclusion
Cast iron pans are safe for most people. These pans are beneficial for individuals with low iron levels or who need more iron in the body. However, the use of cast iron pans may be unsafe for individuals with high iron levels in the body. Hence, such individuals should be careful and choose their foods as well as utensils wisely. (4)

REFERENCES

  1. Geerligs PD, Brabin BJ, Omari AA. Food prepared in iron cooking pots as an intervention for reducing iron deficiency anaemia in developing countries: a systematic review. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2003;16(4):275-281. doi:10.1046/j.1365-277x.2003.00447.x
  2. Kulkarni SA, Ekbote VH, Sonawane A, Jeyakumar A, Chiplonkar SA, Khadilkar AV. Beneficial effect of iron pot cooking on iron status. Indian J Pediatr. 2013;80(12):985-989. doi:10.1007/s12098-013-1066-z
  3. Emerit J, Beaumont C, Trivin F. Iron metabolism, free radicals, and oxidative injury. Biomed Pharmacother. 2001;55(6):333-339. doi:10.1016/s0753-3322(01)00068-3
  4. Golfeyz S, Lewis S, Weisberg IS. Hemochromatosis: pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of hepatic iron overload with a focus on MRI. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;12(8):767-778. doi:10.1080/17474124.2018.1496016

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

11 Calming Herbs to keep your Mind Balanced 💆

          Life is hard. Every day it seems like a new challenge appears to test your patience. You may not realize that chronic stress can also lead to long-term health complications. Living in a constant state of fight-or-flight tells your body to produce too much cortisol which can lead to weight gain, diabetes, mood swings, fatigue, and many other conditions. ( 1 ) While it’s important to take steps to manage stress, certain calming herbs can help strengthen your body’s stress response. Adaptogens are some of the best calming herbs because studies show they might make your body and mind more resilient to external stress. Keep in mind that adaptogens don’t work like prescription drugs for anxiety in that they kick in instantly. Instead, they need a few weeks to build up in your system before you notice the effects. When you need something in a pinch, however, other herbs and  essential oils  – like lavender oil – can ease symptoms almost instantly. 1.  LEMON BALM Lemon balm , also kn

Natural Home Remedies For Minor Burns 🔥

Natural Home remedies for Burns The use of natural remedies given below can be highly effective in managing such minor burns. These remedies are aimed at promoting healing of the damaged skin tissues and minimizing pain. Raw Potato Raw potato can be used to treat minor skin burns. It possesses soothing properties, which help in providing relief from the burning sensation caused by burns. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and reduces redness and inflammation of the skin. It can also reduce the chances of having blisters. Research has proved the beneficial effect of raw potato in the management of minor burns. The histological examination of the burnt area and clinical studies made on the comparable burn wounds treated with either peel of boiled potato affixed to gauze bandages or just gauze dressings showed that the patients treated with raw potato had a faster rate of recovery from the symptoms. It was found that the usage of the potato peel dressing eliminated or reduced desi

Spring Detox Smoothie

When spring arrives, I can't help but think about cleaning up my eating habits. After all, spring detox is a thing (along with spring cleaning, which technically is a detox for your home). That's why I’m sharing with you a smoothie packed with nutrients your body will love. Drink it in the morning and you'll give your body a much-needed boost of energy to get you through the day. Ingredient Breakdown: Why Each One Matters  Before I get to the actual recipe, I'd like to shine the spotlight on each individual ingredient used in this smoothie. You'll quickly see why this is a great spring detox smoothie worth drinking. Green Tea Not only is  green tea tasty to drink on its own, but it's also full of health benefits. It's high in antioxidants and contains a large amount of catechins, polyphenolic compounds that are thought to exert numerous protective effects, especially for your heart. Green tea is great for your cardiovascular system and