Category: Medical Updates

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7 best supplements for a healthy heart

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date June 2, 2023
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Here’s how we can fulfil the nutrition quota of our body and make our hearts happy and healthy with these seven supplements.

Heart issues are the leading cause of death across the globe affecting more than 17.9 million lives every year so, it is no secret that heart health is the most important in the human body and we don’t need studies to prove it. Your brain and heart pretty much shape the entire body and its functions where health experts believe that conditions like stroke and hypertension arise due to mental and physical issues in the body.

Yes, stress is also a leading factor in such matters but do you think your everyday diet provides enough for your heart? In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Amit Deshpande, Founder and Director at Activist, shared, “If you are living in an urban environment, nothing you consume is 100% pure. “Adulterated” is a small word, your food items contain the unhealthiest substances if not washed properly. This creates a huge deficiency of essential nutrients in the body. And, supplements foster the bridging of this nutritional gap. Yes, people are still doubtful about their advantages and very few of us take them seriously.”

He added, “Supplements are readily available and do not even need a prescription at times, but there are better ways of taking this path. Consult an expert, don’t be one! Our busy schedules have no space for a nutrition-rich diet and we have become too comfortable with the sedentary lifestyle. Junk food, an imbalanced sleep routine, mental stress (cheers to hours and hours on social media platforms), and ignorance of health are significant factors that harm our heart health.”

According to him, we can fulfil the nutrition quota of our body and make our hearts happy and healthy with these seven supplements:

Omega 3 Fatty Acids – These supplements work miraculously in lowering triglycerides (the most common type of fats in the body), inflammation, stroke, and other heart conditions. Food items like walnuts, chia seeds, fish, flaxseed oil, and canola oil are rich sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. One must work hard to keep up with a routine to add these items in adequate amounts if not possible via diet, taking the Omega 3 Fatty Acids capsules is a great option. It aids in the maintenance of cardiovascular functioning and the regulation of cholesterol levels while reducing plaque buildup in the arteries.
Magnesium – According to a study, magnesium lowers blood pressure by 12 points. It is one of the 3 micro-minerals (along with calcium and zinc) responsible for around 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium deficiency can lead to muscle contractions, cramps, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, personality changes, and coronary spasms. Cashew nuts, almonds, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and dairy products are some of the rich sources of magnesium. Managing them can be challenging hence, magnesium supplements will do the job better.
Cod Liver Oil – This fish oil supplement is famous for its numerous benefits to the human body. Rich in antioxidants, healthy fats and minerals, cod liver oil can help reduce risk factors for heart diseases. The supplement can contribute a great deal to decreasing inflammation and reducing liver fat. It is also said that cod liver oil is excellent in the development & maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. These are often suggested by healthcare providers and that is the right method to consume them. Do not go for supplements without a prescription or doctor’s recommendations.
Folate (folic acid) – It is said that folic acid (vitamin B) has been shown to lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in many people. Vegetables, beans, and citrus fruits are terrific sources of folate. The supplement is naturally present in many food items however in the form of a capsule or others it can be a part of your routine. If you are already on some medications, treatments or therapies, folic acid intake cannot be effective. You better have a word with an expert before beginning the dosage.
Grape Seed Extract – If you are diagnosed with hypertension, grape seed extract is just the right thing to include in your routine. It is full of antioxidants and lowers blood pressure. According to a study, around 100mg-800mg of grape seed extract every day for 8-16 weeks can help maintain blood pressure if you have symptoms or are suffering from pre hypertension.
Multivitamins – Scurvy, beriberi, pellagra, and rickets are some of the classic examples of vitamin deficiencies. While malnutrition is a silent culprit in developing countries, multivitamin supplements can make a big difference. A meal consisting of plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and more is good but at times not enough. For a person suffering from chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases, it is already late to consider essential nutrition; however, you can begin consuming these supplements from an early age to avoid trouble.
Ashwagandha – People with high blood pressure have a dire need for calming food items. While these are not always sufficient, supplements comprising Ashwagandha calm the brain, reduce swelling, lower blood pressure and help alter the immune system. Ashwagandha is used for ages now and works fantastically in reducing physical and mental stress of any kind. These days, ashwagandha has become a prime tea variant among premium beverages as well. One can include it in many ways to improve heart health.

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COVID-19 Government Guidelines Medical Equipments Medical Updates

Conflict, climate change, Covid, cost-of-living heighten threats for most vulnerable women, babies: UN report

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date May 10, 2023
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The report sounds the alarm on a silent emergency of preterm birth which is impeding progress in improving children’s health and survival.

An estimated 13.4 million babies were born preterm in 2020, with 45 per cent of them being born in just five countries, including India, China and Pakistan, according to a report released by the United Nations agencies and partners on Wednesday. The report titled ‘Born Too Soon: Decade of Action on Preterm Birth’ is developed by more than 140 individuals from 46 countries and is produced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) together with PMNCH — the world’s largest alliance for women, children, and adolescents.

The report sounds the alarm on a “silent emergency” of preterm birth which is impeding progress in improving children’s health and survival.

The global preterm birth rate was 9.9 per cent in 2020, compared to 9.8 per cent in 2010. An estimated 13.4 million babies were born pre-term in 2020, with nearly 1 million dying from preterm complications, which is equivalent to around 1 in 10 babies born early (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) worldwide.

In 2020, Bangladesh had the highest estimated preterm birth rate (16.2 per cent), followed by Malawi (14.5 per cent) and Pakistan (14.4 per cent). Rates are also high in high-income countries, such as Greece (11.6%), and the United States of America (10.0%), the report stated.

“Almost half (45 per cent) of all preterm babies in 2020 were born in just five countries: India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China and Ethiopia,” it said.

The report highlighted that preterm birth rates have not changed in the past decade in any region of the world and that “four Cs” – conflict, climate change, COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis – heighten threats for the most vulnerable women and babies in all countries.

For example, air pollution is estimated to contribute to 6 million preterm births each year.

Nearly 1 in 10 preterm babies are born in the 10 most fragile countries affected by humanitarian crises, according to a new analysis in the report. Climate science is increasingly exposing the direct and indirect effects of climate change on pregnant women, stillbirths and preterm birth.

Conflict, climate change, Covid, cost-of-living heighten threats for most vulnerable women, babies: UN report

According to it, 1.2 million babies are ‘born too soon’ in the 10 most fragile countries affected by humanitarian crises, where accessing care for women and babies is particularly challenging.

“More investment is needed to specifically mitigate risks and to increase focus on women and babies in policies and programmes addressing the climate emergency,” it said.

“Born too soon underlines why we must increase investment and accountability for preterm birth – the world’s largest cause of death of children under the age of five. Progress is flatlining for maternal and newborn health, as well as the prevention of stillbirths, and is now pushed back further through the devastating combination of COVID-19, climate change, expanding conflicts and rising living costs,” said Helga Fogstad, Executive Director, PMNCH.

“By working together in partnership – governments, donors, the private sector, civil society, parents, and health professionals – we can sound the alarm about this “silent emergency”, and bring preterm prevention and care efforts to the forefront of national health and development efforts, building human capital by supporting families, societies and economies everywhere,” Helga added.

With the report coming at a time when the International Maternal Newborn Health Conference (IMNHC) is being held at Cape Town from May 8, the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and PMNCH called for increased investments, accelerated implementation of established national policies for maternal and newborn care to improve care for women and newborns and mitigate risks from preterm births.

They also called for promoting education through the life cycle; supporting smarter economic investments, with co-financing across sectors; strengthening climate adaptation responses across the life course; and advancing the coordination and resilience of emergency systems, besides investing in locally-led innovation and research to support improvements in quality of care and equity in access.

Ensuring quality care for these tiniest, most vulnerable babies and their families is absolutely imperative for improving child health and survival, said Dr Anshu Banerjee, Director for Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO.

“Progress is also needed to help prevent preterm births — this means every woman must be able to access quality health services before and during pregnancy to identify and manage risks,” he said.

Long COVID linked with self-perceived cognitive deficits related to anxiety and depression

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date May 9, 2023
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Experiencing persistent symptoms of COVID more than four weeks after initial infection is called Long COVID.

Symptomatic long COVID may be associated with self-perceived cognitive difficulties such as memory problems, according to a study. Long COVID is described as experiencing persistent symptoms of the disease more than four weeks after initial infection. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the US noted that over one in three people experiencing long COVID symptoms perceived such cognitive deficits, which have been found to be related to anxiety and depression.

The findings, published recently in the journal JAMA Network Open, show that psychological issues such as anxiety or depressive disorders may play a part in some people who are experiencing long COVID, technically known as post-COVID-19 condition, or PCC.

“This perception of cognitive deficits suggests that affective issues—in this case anxiety and depression—appear to carry over into the long COVID period,” said study senior author Neil Wenger, a professor at UCLA.

“This is not to say that long COVID is all in one’s head, but that it is likely not a single condition and that for some proportion of patients there is likely a component of anxiety or depression that is exacerbated by the disease,” Wenger said in a statement.

The researchers surveyed 766 patients who had confirmed symptomatic COVID infection and had either been hospitalised at UCLA or at one of 20 health care facilities in the US or were referred to the programme by a primary care physician and been treated as outpatients.

Patients were surveyed by telephone at 30 days, 60 days and 90 days following hospital discharge or, in the case of non-hospitalised patients, after the date of a positive COVID test to ascertain if they felt their health was back to normal.

The researchers found that 276 (36.1 per cent) of the patients surveyed perceived during the acute illness or the following weeks that they had cognitive difficulties.

The study also found that these patients were twice as likely as those without perceived cognitive deficits to report experiencing physical symptoms at 60 and 90 days.

The researchers acknowledged some limitations to the findings. These include a lack of objective cognition measures because the survey relied on subjective responses about cognitive deficits.

They also did not have data on participants’ possible cognition, depression, and anxiety prior to COVID infection.

The findings may not apply to other patient cohorts given that participants were treated at an academic medical centre and were referred to the programme based on physicians’ belief that the patients were at clinically high risk for cognition deficits, the researchers added.

Structural reforms in offing in organ donation, transplant sector: Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date May 5, 2023
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Synopsis

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of total organ transplants in the country has substantially increased from less than 5,000 in 2013 to more than 15,000 in 2022.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday said far-sighted structural changes are in the offing to reform the organ donation and organ transplant sector in the country.

Mandaviya reviewed the status of organ donations and transplants with senior officers of the Health Ministry on Wednesday.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of total organ transplants in the country has substantially increased from less than 5,000 in 2013 to more than 15,000 in 2022.

Now, more organs per deceased donor are being utilised due to better coordination through the Network of Organ and Tissues Transplant Organisations at the National (NOTTO), Regional (ROTTO) and State levels (SOTTO). In 2016, 2,265 organs were utilised from 930 deceased donors while 2,765 could be utilised from 904 deceased donors in 2022.

NOTTO is working on a Transplant Manual as a step-by-step guide for implementing Organ Donation and Transplantation Programme in hospitals and also on a Standard Course for training Transplant Coordinators. Both these documents will be completed and released shortly, the Ministry said in a statement.

Four verticals for coordination, IEC, Training and HR/accounts have been created in the NOTTO for better implementation of the programme.

Recently, the central government granted special casual leaves of up to 42 days to central government employees, who donate an organ to another human being, as a special welfare measure in public interest.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is also imbibing learnings from international best practices for further policy reforms towards the augmentation of organ donation and transplantation in the country, the Ministry said in a statement.

Surge of activity linked to consciousness in dying brain: Study

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date May 4, 2023
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The study sheds light on the neurophysiologic mechanisms, where fastest brain activity has been visible in dying brain.

Near-death experience accounts that include stories of white light, visitation from deceased loved ones, hearing voices, among other characteristics, grab our imagination and are ingrained in our culture.

The fact that these reports have so many similarities makes one wonder if there is something fundamentally real underlying them. It is also possible that those who have survived death are revealing glimmers of a consciousness that persists even after the heart has stopped beating.

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, provides early evidence of a surge of activity correlated with consciousness in the dying brain.

The study, led by Jimo Borjigin, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology and the Department of Neurology, and her team is a follow-up to animal studies conducted almost ten years ago in collaboration with George Mashour, M.D., Ph.D., the founding director of the Michigan Center for Consciousness Science.

Similar signatures of gamma activation were recorded in the dying brains of both animals and humans upon a loss of oxygen following cardiac arrest.

“How vivid experience can emerge from a dysfunctional brain during the process of dying is a neuroscientific paradox. Dr. Borjigin has led an important study that helps shed light on the underlying neurophysiologic mechanisms,” said Mashour.

The team identified four patients who passed away due to cardiac arrest in the hospital while under EEG monitoring. All four of the patients were comatose and unresponsive. They were ultimately determined to be beyond medical help and, with their families’ permission, removed from life support.

Upon removal of ventilator support, two of the patients showed an increase in heart rate along with a surge of gamma wave activity, considered the fastest brain activity and associated with consciousness.

Furthermore, the activity was detected in the so-called hot zone of neural correlates of consciousness in the brain, the junction between the temporal, parietal and occipital lobes in the back of the brain. This area has been correlated with dreaming, visual hallucinations in epilepsy, and altered states of consciousness in other brain studies.

These two patients had previous reports of seizures, but no seizures during the hour before their deaths, explained Nusha Mihaylova, M.D., Ph.D., a clinical associate professor in the Department of Neurology who has collaborated with Dr. Borjigin since 2015 by collecting EEG data from deceased patients under ICU care. The other two patients did not display the same increase in heartrate upon removal from life support nor did they have increased brain activity.

Because of the small sample size, the authors caution against making any global statements about the implications of the findings. They also note that it’s impossible to know in this study what the patients experienced because they did not survive.

“We are unable to make correlations of the observed neural signatures of consciousness with a corresponding experience in the same patients in this study. However, the observed findings are definitely exciting and provide a new framework for our understanding of covert consciousness in dying humans,” she said.

What to eat when you have Covid

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date May 1, 2023
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Having a healthy diet is associated with a reduced risk of COVID. And, if you do have COVID, a healthy diet is associated with milder symptoms.

Deciding what to eat can be mentally taxing, especially when you are not feeling well. However, our diet plays a role in preventing and managing poor health, including COVID. Having a healthy diet is associated with a reduced risk of COVID. And, if you do have COVID, a healthy diet is associated with milder symptoms. When we are sick it can be challenging to even think about food. However, the best way to fight the infection is by providing your body with foods that best support you to heal.

Fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and various forms of protein are broken down into substances by the body to support your immune system.

The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating suggests we eat a variety of fresh foods every day including:

*Two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables

*Whole grains, such as wholemeal pasta, brown rice or wholemeal bread.

*Healthy fats, such as avocado or olive oil.

*Meat and meat alternatives (such as lean beef, chicken, tofu or legumes) and dairy (such as cheese or milk).

*Eating these kinds of foods every day helps provide our body with the nutrients required to fight infections and remain healthy.

*Avoiding processed and ultra processed foods is also encouraged due to the high levels of salt and sugar and lack of nutrition found in these types of foods.

What about chicken soup or similar?

A great way to get all the nutrition your body requires when sick with COVID is through homemade chicken soup, chicken avgolemono, chicken congee or other similar dishes.

Why? Here are four good reasons:

1. It’s easy and cheap to make.

The great thing about chicken soup is you can pop it in one pan (or into a slow cooker), throw all the ingredients in together and let it simmer away.

While the ingredients in chicken soup pack a powerful nutritional punch, they don’t cost the Earth.

2. It’s easy to absorb.

The boiling process releases the nutritional elements found in the ingredients and aids in digestion and absorption of these vital nutrients.

3. It’s full of vitamins and minerals.

Essential vitamins and minerals found in chicken soup include: iron, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.

4. It’s flavoursome and powerful.

The tasty flavour of chicken soup is enhanced by the seventeen different amino acids found in chicken soup. These amino acids also provide strength for your immune system.

Nutrition can support immune health but it’s not the only answer

The best way to treat and manage a COVID infection is to avoid it in the first place. So remember to practise good hygiene, like washing your hands regularly, and maintain your recommended vaccine schedule.

Practising a healthy lifestyle will also reduce your risks of not only contracting COVID, but also developing chronic disease. This includes not smoking or vaping, maintaining healthy physical activity habits, getting enough sleep and reducing alcohol consumption.

The current recommendation for maximum alcohol intake is ten standard drinks in one week, and no more than four standard drinks in one day.

Don’t forget to drink plenty of water
Water is crucial when you’re sick.

Being dehydrated can enhance symptoms of colds and infections, including COVID. It is also associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID.

Aim to drink at least two litres of water per day, even more if you have a high body weight or have been losing fluids through vomiting or sneezing/runny nose.

If you don’t feel like having plain water, there are many healthy alternatives such as tea, broth or soup.

Eating a healthy and balanced diet is an important part of maintain good health and vitality.

Getting caught up in fads or buying supplements can be expensive and there is controversy around their effectiveness.

In the long run, eating healthy will make you feel better and save you money

Health expert on the best treatments for asthma

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date April 29, 2023
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You should know that best symptoms are controlled via medication only. Health expert reveals the best treatments for asthma.

Asthma is a lung disease leading to the narrowing of the airways and is blocked by excess mucus thus, one will have breathing problems. The symptoms of asthma are wheezing, fatigue, cough, chest tightness and even weakness and if left untreated, asthma can lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates in the country.

The causes of asthma can be attributed to pollen, dust mites, feathers, smoke, fumes, and pollution thus, it will be imperative for one to seek treatment without any delay. You will have to follow the instructions given by the doctor only and you should know that symptoms are controlled via medication only.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Abhijit Ahuja, Pulmonologist at Zen Multispeciality Hospital in Chembur, suggested the following as the best treatments for asthma:

· You need to sit with the doctor and decide on the action plan. One will be prescribed medication to manage the symptoms of asthma. You shouldn’t self-medicate as doing so can be risky. You will have to note down the triggers and manage them accordingly.

· Take bronchodilators which are medications beneficial for making breathing easier by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and widening the airways (bronchi). They can help to deal with the symptoms of asthma. You should take the medication in the mentioned dosage. Do not skip the medication at all. If you are taking steroids then you will have to do so under the guidance of the treating doctor.

· One can even take injections. If you are detected with severe asthma then injections containing medicines called biologic therapies are given to the patient. These can help to control the symptoms of asthma. These medications are not advised to each and every one. The doctor will examine you and then only recommend the symptoms.

· Bronchial thermoplasty is the type of surgery that can be recommended by the doctor for asthma patients.

· One with asthma will have to do breathing exercises to improve lung capacity. You can ask the expert about the exercises that are suitable for you.

· Follow a well-balanced diet. It will be imperative for you to eat well. Avoid eating foods that are high in fat and calories. Stay away from sweets, desserts, sodas, and colas. Take supplements advised by the doctor only and do not go overboard on them.

· Exercise daily for at least 30 minutes every day and you will surely feel better. But, do not do any rigorous activities. You will have to speak to the fitness trainer before initiating any fitness routine.

Post-COVID-19 conditions change a person’s immunological response: Study

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date April 28, 2023
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The study found that after people with long COVID-19 received the vaccine, they produced antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19 for months longer.

A recent study from Cedars-Sinai’s Smidt Heart Institute reveals that extended COVID-19 may be caused by a dysfunction of the immune system. The study, published in BMC Infectious Diseases, found that after people with long COVID-19 received the COVID-19 vaccine, they produced antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19 for months longer than expected.

When a person has an infection, the immune system typically responds by making antibodies that block germs from entering cells. Vaccines imitate an infection so that the body’s immune system knows to release certain antibodies when it comes across a virus. In both cases, the immune system eventually stops creating antibodies when the suspected infection is gone.

“There’s general consensus that some level of aberrant immune response happens in long COVID-19, and this study adds to the evidence to suggest this is true,” said Catherine Le, MD, co-director of the Cedars-Sinai COVID-19 Recovery Program and a senior author of the study.

Long COVID-19, a condition in which people experience COVID-19-related symptoms three months or more after initial infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, is estimated to affect 65 million people worldwide. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction such as confusion and forgetfulness. Some symptoms can have debilitating effects.

To study the immune response of people with long COVID-19, investigators analysed blood samples from 245 people diagnosed with long COVID-19 and 86 people who had COVID-19 and fully recovered. All the study participants had received either one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine regimen.

“We examined one part of the immune system response, the production of antibodies, which is mediated by immune cells called B-cells,” Le explained.

Specifically, the investigators looked at two types of antibodies that attack the virus that causes COVID-19. One of these is called the spike protein antibody, which attacks a protein on the exterior of the virus. The other is the nucleocapsid antibody, which attacks the part of the virus that allows it to replicate.

The investigators found that people who were diagnosed with long COVID-19 produced higher levels of spike protein and nucleocapsid antibodies than people without long COVID-19. Eight weeks after receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, antibody levels in people without long COVID-19 began to decrease, as was expected. People with long COVID-19, however, continued to have elevated antibody levels, especially of nucleocapsid antibodies.

“What you would expect after getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a jump in your spike protein antibody levels, but you wouldn’t expect a significant increase in nucleocapsid antibody levels,” said Susan Cheng, MD, MPH, the Erika J. Glazer Chair in Women’s Cardiovascular Health and Population Science, director of the Institute for Research on Healthy Aging in the Department of Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute, and a senior author of the study. “You would also expect these levels to eventually decrease and not persist for so long after vaccination.”

Although this study shows that long COVID-19 affects the immune system, it’s too soon to draw firm conclusions from these findings, according to the study’s authors.

“Theoretically, the production of these antibodies could mean that people are more protected from infection,” Le said. “We also need to investigate if the elevated immune response corresponds with severity or number of long COVID-19 symptoms.”

Investigators are continuing to study blood samples from people with long COVID-19. They are hoping to identify a measurable molecule that could be used to diagnose long COVID-19 and better understand the biological processes that cause it.

5 essential nutrients every woman must have after 40

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date April 24, 2023
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A woman’s body and mind can change a lot after she hits 40. However, with the right lifestyle changes, one can easily prevent health issues.

A lot can change in a woman’s body and mind when she hits 40. Some of the not-so-welcome changes could be accumulation of belly fat, a bit of weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, dementia and also certain kinds of cancer. Perimenopause stage could also lead to mood swings, hot flashes and other associated symptoms. Most of these changes occur because of the drop in estrogen levels which may also fiddle with insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar.

Appropriate lifestyle changes can always ensure your health doesn’t suffer as much. Eating nutrient-rich food for instance can keep your hormones balanced, reduce risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and relieve perimenopause symptoms. Staying active and adding regular exercises to your routine can also help immensely.

“I’m turning 40, what are the most important nutrients to take right now?” That is an important question many women ask me as they approach their 40s. When a woman turns 40, her nutrients change from those of her 30s, says nutritionist Lovneet Batra in her recent Instagram post.

Batra lists five essential nutrients women should get in 40s.

PROTEIN

Menopause is a key time in a woman’s life where due to hormonal shifts, body composition can change drastically in a short period of time. These changes include increased body fat and decreased lean muscle mass, the latter of which can impact longevity. Thus, getting enough protein—which can help stave off the loss of lean muscle—is crucial for women.

B VITAMINS

Best vitamins for women over 40 will contain a range of B-vitamins because B-vitamins “help the process your body uses to get or make energy from the food you eat” while also helping to “form red blood cells.”

CALCIUM

Women lose bone density with age, and calcium keeps bones strong and helps to reduce the risk for osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones become brittle. The nutrient is needed for other basic body functions like muscle contraction, nerve and heart functioning, and other biochemical reactions—and if you are not getting enough calcium from your diet, the body steals calcium from your bones (and weakens them).

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, so it is important that women get adequate amounts of it. Plus, efficiency in vitamin D have been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and more.

OMEGA-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to improve cognition and heart health. These beneficial fats also normalize and regulate the body’s cholesterol and triglyceride levels—an important function during this life stage.

IRON

Your body requires iron to make haemoglobin, the substance in your red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. This period, which corresponds to the perimenopause for most women, is associated with the risk of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA).

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India’s new COVID-19 cases jump 30% to 10,158; active tally nears 45,000-mark

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date April 21, 2023
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Synopsis

The detection of new cases over the last 24 hours is a sharp 29.7% jump from 7,830 cases reported on Wednesday. Amid the recent upsurge in the number of Covid cases, medical experts have warned that the new XBB1.16 variant is able to evade the immune system of the people and the upcoming four weeks are very crucial.

Total instances of Covid-19 infections went up by 10,158 over the last 24 hours while active infections rose to 44,998, as per the latest data available on the Union Health Ministry website.

The detection of new cases over the last 24 hours is a sharp 29.7% jump from 7,830 cases reported on Wednesday.

The number of active cases has increased to 44,998, the data updated on Thursday showed.

India had reported 7,830 coronavirus infections on Wednesday.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.42 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was 4.02 per cent. The active cases now constitute 0.10 per cent of the total infections.

The nationwide COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.71 per cent,according to the health ministry website. The case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease rose to 4,42,10,127.

According to the ministry’s website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country.

Covid in India is moving towards the endemic stage, so the cases may keep rising for the next 10-12 days after which they will subside, official sources told PTI on Wednesday. The sources said even though the cases are increasing, hospitalisation is low and expected to remain low.

The current rise in Covid cases is being driven by XBB.1.16, which is a sub variant of Omicron, they added.

While Omicron and its sub-lineages continue to be the dominant variant, most of the assigned variants have little or no significant transmissibility, disease severity or immune escape.

The prevalence of XBB.1.16 increased from 21.6 per cent in February this year to 35.8 per cent in March. However, no evidence of an increase in hospitalisation or mortality has been reported, the source added.

Officials say more than 10 lakh beds are currently available across the country. Out of which, over 3 lakh beds are oxygen-supported, 90,785 are ICU beds, and 54,040 are ICU-cum-ventilator beds.

As part of the government healthcare infrastructure preparedness, 77,923 ventilators are functional, 261,534 oxygen concentrators, 685,567 oxygen cylinders are functional.

Besides a total 8,652,974 PPE kits and 28,039,957 N-95 masks are in stock. The health ministry has also stocked 668,432,658 paracetamol doses, 97,170,149 doses of Azithromycin and other essentials.

Also, 14,698 total Basic Life Support Ambulances and 4,557 Advance Life Support Ambulances are available. In addition to this, the government has 208,386 doctors oriented on Covid-19 management.