Latest news with #AsadHussain
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Forget expensive supplements: 8 kitchen staples to fix your gut naturally, boost immunity, beat bloating, sleep better
Your gut is not just where digestion happens, it is where health begins. Cultivating simple, homegrown foods like herbs, leafy greens, and fermented vegetables can dramatically support your microbiome. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Asad Hussain, Founder and CEO at OddsFitness, shared, 'Your digestive system influences much more than just your stomach, it's the cornerstone of overall health, immunity and even your mood.' Asserting that personalised wellness starts with restoring balance in the gut, Asad Hussain said, 'Growing your own food is one of the most powerful, low-effort steps you can take toward better digestion, immunity and long-term vitality.' Improving digestion doesn't require expensive supplements. Instead, simple homegrown herbs and homemade ferments can offer scientifically proven benefits. According to Asad Hussain, here's how you can naturally boost your gut health at home: Tulsi isn't just spiritually significant - it's scientifically powerful for your digestion. Modern studies reveal that tulsi acts as a prebiotic, increasingly beneficial gut bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, crucial for digestive health (Kondapalli et al., 2022). How to use: Chew fresh tulsi leaves each morning or brew them into tea. Commonly found in Indian homes, curry leaves are rich in dietary fiber and polyphenols. Recent research highlights their ability to enhance gut bacteria and produce short-chain fatty acids, supporting overall gut balance. How to use: Include fresh curry leaves in daily cooking or chew them raw in the morning. Fenugreek seeds pack a fiber-rich punch, helping regulate gut health. Studies show fenugreek boosts beneficial gut microbes and can correct imbalances caused by unhealthy diets. How to use: Sprout fenugreek seeds and add them to salads or curries. Mint leaves contain menthol, proven effective at easing symptoms like bloating and abdominal pain related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It relaxes gut muscles and relieves discomfort. How to use: Brew fresh mint leaves into soothing herbal tea after meals. Moringa leaves are nutrient-rich and beneficial for gut motility and reducing constipation. Research indicates moringa effectively improves gut bacteria balance, promoting healthier digestion. How to use: Add fresh or dried moringa leaves to soups, curries, or smoothies. Aloe vera is widely used for gut relief due to its anti-inflammatory and gentle laxative properties. Clinical studies show it can effectively alleviate constipation and IBS symptoms. How to use: Blend fresh aloe vera gel into water or juice but use sparingly to avoid laxative over-effects. These homemade fermented dairy products introduce beneficial probiotics into your gut. Regular consumption significantly improves digestive function and eases constipation symptoms, according to multiple studies. How to use: Prepare homemade yogurt or kefir and consume it daily. Fermented vegetables like sauerkraut and kimchi enhance gut flora diversity. Clinical trials confirm their role in reducing IBS symptoms, including abdominal pain and bloating, by enriching the gut microbiome with beneficial bacteria. How to use: Make sauerkraut or kimchi at home and have a serving daily as a side dish. Simple, natural and scientifically backed, these homegrown foods can dramatically improve your digestion and overall health, one bite at a time. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Mint
04-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
A guide to understanding inflammation and ways to combat it's negative effects
Do you feel fatigued frequently, have stubborn acne or joint pain? Your body is probably showing signs of inflammation. Inflammation as a trigger for various ailments have been a point of discussion among medical experts in recent years. But is inflammation something that can be avoided? And keeping the complex lifestyles we lead with erratic timings, food habits and more, are there ways we can heal from it? 'Inflammation is like a double-edged sword," says Delhi-based Asad Hussain, founder and CEO of OddsFitness, a personal fitness trainer service. 'Acute inflammation is crucial for healing," he says. According to a December 2024 paper by Harvard Health, Why All The Buzz about Inflammation — And Just How Bad Is It?, inflammation isn't necessarily bad and our body needs it. As the paper explains, it is our body's defence mechanism against an illness, injury or any other unwanted intrusion like a bacterial infection. Almost like an alarm system, it prepares our body to fight against the problem. So no, it isn't possible for you to be without inflammation. Long-term inflammation can result from unhealthy lifestyle choices such as excessive sugar, processed foods, smoking, alcohol, and lack of exercise and weight gain, says Mumbai-based Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai. Emphasising on the role of diet, she notes, 'Cut down on white bread, white rice, pasta, pastries, sugary drinks, fried foods, certain baked goods that used processed flour, and alcohol. High in trans fats, refined sugars, and additives like emulsifiers, these foods alter gut microbiota and trigger inflammation." Chronic stress, lack of rest and lack of exercise too can cause inflammation, she adds. According to Hussain, other factors that can trigger inflammation include air pollution, pesticides, and microplastics that generate oxidative stress. Skipping meals too can worsen inflammation, he says. Another factor that can cause/increase inflammation is, 'high intake of caffeine," says Nicole Linhares, sports nutritionist and integrated health coach. Caffeine, especially when consumed first thing in the morning or on an empty stomach—can spike cortisol levels, the body's stress hormone, which is linked to inflammatory responses, she shares. 'Cooking oils high in omega-6 fatty acids, like soybean, sunflower, and safflower oil, can also disrupt the body's balance when not paired with enough omega-3s. This imbalance is closely linked to increased inflammation," Linhares says. How does one identify if they have inflammation? Persistent fatigue, joint pain, skin issues like eczema or acne and frequent susceptibility to infections are some key signs. 'Other signs include unexplained weight gain, insulin resistance, or bloating. Elevated CRP levels or high ferritin levels in the blood can be an indicator too," Hussain informs. Being mindful of a few habits can help. Eating heavy meals close to bedtime, for instance, can interfere with digestion and sleep, both of which are essential for managing inflammation. Ideally, finish your last meal 3 to 4 hours before going to bed to allow your body time to properly digest, Linhares says. 'Eating too quickly or while stressed can disrupt gut function and trigger inflammatory responses. Taking a few deep breaths and calming your mind before meals can support better digestion and reduce stress on your system," she adds. Another hidden contributor according to Linhares is excess sodium. 'High salt intake—often from processed foods, sauces, MSG, or flavor enhancers—not only elevates inflammation but also increases the risk of high blood pressure." To reduce or mitigate inflammation, Linhares's suggestion is to 'Eat your rainbow." 'Fresh fruits, leafy greens, tomatoes, and whole grains are inflammation-fighting powerhouses. Rich in polyphenols and antioxidants like lycopene and beta-carotene, these foods help the body combat oxidative stress," she says. She also suggests adding herbs and spices to our diets. 'Turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, holy basil (tulsi), ashwagandha, and triphala are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Herbal teas—like turmeric, cinnamon, or tulsi—can be sipped throughout the day to support balance," she says. Besides diet, reducing stress is another effective solution. 'Practicing mindfulness, yoga, or even deep breathing for ten minutes can help," says Hussain. In conclusion, while it is something one cannot eliminate entirely, a holistic approach to life – with regular exercise and avoiding processed foods, inculcating healthy sleep habits and practicing mindfulness – can help rein in inflammation's negative effects. Sumitra Nair is an independent journalist based in Kochi.
