Latest news with #JeevanKasara
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
5 reasons why you should replace your everyday coffee with Matcha; health expert shares unbelievable benefits
Matcha is an increasingly popular coffee alternative, especially among Gen Z. It is a concentrated form of green tea that involves grinding the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant into a fine powder. Since the entire tea leaf is consumed rather than steeped, the drink has a higher concentration of caffeine and antioxidants as compared to a typical green tea. But have you ever imagined what happens if you replace your everyday coffee with matcha? Let's find out. According to a study published in PubMed, the plants used for matcha are grown in the shade, which boosts their amino acid content. Hence, due to its purported benefits, many members of Gen Z are swapping out their morning coffee for matcha. In research conducted by the Department of Environmental Medicine and Population Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, there is a link between drinking more than 120 millilitres of green tea and a decreased risk of gallbladder and bile duct cancer. Apart from this, it helps in: Supporting cognitive function Preventing certain diseases, such as cancer Supporting weight loss Why should you replace your everyday coffee with matcha? Many of us use coffee to jump-start our day in today's fast-paced day and age. But replacing your usual coffee habit with matcha might give you a milder, protracted boost, minus the jittery comedown. Health experts claim that the ultra-fine ground powder of specially grown green tea leaves known as matcha is a nutritional powerhouse. Matchas can be a delicious switch from plain coffee, but it's important to be mindful of how they're made. "Café-style mochas are often high in sugar, cream, and syrups, so I recommend enjoying them occasionally. For a healthier option, ask for low-fat or plant-based milk, skip the whipped cream, and reduce added syrups. Better still, a homemade mocha using unsweetened cocoa and minimal sweetener offers antioxidants from cocoa and a steady caffeine boost, without unnecessary calories. It's a smarter, more balanced way to indulge daily," says Dr. Swati Sharma, dietitian and nutritionist, PRB Healthcare. 5 reasons why you should replace your everyday coffee with matcha Unlike coffee, which releases caffeine all at once and can lead to energy highs and lows, matcha offers a calm, focused energy. Cognitive health: 'Matcha has a very special amino acid called L-theanine that awakens you for learning but provides a state of relaxation without causing you to feel tired. When combined with caffeine, it increases alertness and mental clarity without the usual coffee crash,' says Jeevan Kasara, Director and CEO, Steris Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. Metabolism: "Matcha is high in antioxidants, especially catechins such as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which I hear are good for increasing the efficiency of metabolism, promoting heart health, and decreasing inflammation. Its detoxifiers also help keep the body clean naturally." Cooling effect: The vibrant green colour and subtly sweet, earthy flavour taste good hot or cold and make for a healthful, "cooler" alternative. Alleviates acidity problems: Being that matcha is a more alkaline substance, it's much gentler and may alleviate some problems such as acidity or bloating,' the expert adds. Mental health: Match offers a calming effect to the brain and helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Changes in the body when you shift from coffee to matcha The transition to matcha might be gentler on the stomach. 'Coffee is acidic and can irritate the digestive system, especially in some people who already have sensitive GI tracts.' 'If you're after a stable source of energy, mental clarity, and good health, matcha is a cool and healthy alternative to your daily coffee. It's more than a trend; it's a science-supported lifestyle upgrade.
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Business Standard
07-07-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Are generic medicines as good as branded ones? Here's what you should know
When you pick a generic medicine over a branded one, you're saving money, but how much do you really know about what's in that tablet? PM Modi calls India the 'Pharmacy of the World,' with the pharmaceutical industry valued at around $50 billion in FY24 and expected to grow to $120–130 billion by 2030, according to a December 2024 statement by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. Generics drive this growth, contributing 70–80 per cent of India's retail pharma revenue and nearly 100 per cent of volume in some areas. However, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), which serves as the national regulatory authority for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of pharmaceuticals, has raised some red flags. In April 2025, the CDSCO released yet another list of Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) drugs, highlighting persistent concerns about substandard pharmaceuticals in India. What are generic medicines and how are they different from branded ones? A generic medicine is essentially a more affordable version of a branded drug. As Jeevan Kasara, Director and CEO of Steris Healthcare Pvt. Ltd, explained, generics contain the same active ingredient, dosage, strength, and intended use as their branded counterparts. When a pharmaceutical company's patent expires, other companies are allowed to manufacture the same medicine, usually under its chemical name rather than a branded label. Do generics differ in dosage, strength, or effectiveness? Generics are required to match branded medicines in dosage, form, strength, route of administration, and purpose. Minor differences—such as colour, packaging, or inactive ingredients—may exist, but the core active compound remains identical. Are generic medicines as safe and effective in real life? Jeevan Kasara stated that reputable manufacturers follow strict regulatory protocols and conduct bioequivalence studies to demonstrate that generics perform the same as branded versions in the body. CDSCO policies and international audits—such as from the USFDA or European regulators—ensure quality standards, especially for exported generics. Buying from licensed pharmacies and trusted sources is key to safety. Why do people hesitate to trust generic drugs? Dr Jagadish Hiremath, a public health expert, said, 'There's a belief that cheaper means lower quality. But that's not true for CDSCO-approved generics.' Brand familiarity and years of marketing have made some patients wary. In specific cases—like psychiatric, thyroid, or epilepsy medications—doctors may stick with known brands due to sensitivity in absorption rates. But for most common conditions, generics are equally effective. How much money can you save by choosing generics? Generic medicines can be 30 to 90 per cent cheaper than branded ones, according to Kasara. For young professionals without insurance, this can translate into major savings over time—without compromising quality. How can you verify if a generic medicine is trustworthy? Use this quick safety checklist: Buy only from licensed pharmacies Check batch number and expiry date Look for manufacturing and approval details Prefer reputed pharmaceutical manufacturers Apps like Tata 1mg, Netmeds, and Medlife can help verify generic equivalents and manufacturer ratings. Advanced users can consult CDSCO's site or the USFDA Orange Book. Why don't more doctors prescribe generics openly? Dr Hiremath attributes it to both caution and habit. Some doctors are concerned about patients using low-quality products from unverified sources. Others are influenced by pharmaceutical marketing and patient preference for known brands. Are Jan Aushadhi stores helping improve access to generics? Experts agree that Jan Aushadhi outlets offer an affordable route to essential medicines, especially for those managing chronic illnesses. However, Dr Hiremath emphasised that success depends on robust quality checks, public education, consistent supply chains, and accessible databases. Should you choose generic or branded medicines? Here's a quick recap: For most routine treatments, high-quality generics are just as safe and effective For specific, sensitive conditions, consult your doctor before switching Always purchase from trusted pharmacies or platforms Stay informed and ask questions to make safe, economical decisions 'Saving money should never feel risky when it comes to your health,' said Dr Hiremath. 'Stay informed, ask questions, and choose wisely.'
India Today
20-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Is it safe to take Ayurvedic and Allopathic medicines together?
As more people turn to natural and holistic healing, many are exploring the combination of Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines to manage health conditions. The idea is to benefit from the strengths of both systems—Ayurveda, with its focus on natural herbs and lifestyle balance, and allopathy, based on modern pharmaceuticals and clinical while the idea of combining these two systems may seem promising, doing so without expert guidance can lead to serious health risks. Potential issues include drug interactions and concerns about product safety. This article examines the potential dangers, benefits, and precautions associated with mixing Ayurvedic and allopathic treatments, featuring insights from Jeevan Kasara, Director and CEO of Steris Healthcare BOTH SYSTEMSAyurveda is a 5,000-year-old Indian system of medicine that focuses on balancing the body, mind, and spirit using herbs, diet, yoga, and detox or modern medicine,e uses scientifically tested drugs and surgical methods to treat specific diseases or both systems aim to restore health, they differ greatly in their approach and composition, which makes combining them a complex COMBINING MEDICINES CAN BE RISKY1. Potential Drug-Herb InteractionsOne of the biggest concerns is how the substances interact inside the a popular Ayurvedic herb, can increase the sedative effects of sleeping pills or while a natural anti-inflammatory, may interfere with blood thinners like warfarin, increasing the risk of antibiotics may disrupt gut bacteria, which affects the absorption of certain herbal medicines that rely on microbes to become interactions may either reduce the effectiveness of treatment or increase toxicity, making careful supervision AND STANDARDIATION ISSUESUnlike allopathic medicines, most Ayurvedic products are not standardised or tested for safety in the same way.A 2022 study by JAMA Network Open revealed that 21% of Ayurvedic products sold in the US contained heavy metals like lead or common herbs like Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), known to boost immunity, can worsen autoimmune conditions when taken with are advised to buy Ayurvedic products from certified and trustworthy sources and always inform their doctor about what they are APPROACH: WHEN IT CAN WORKIn some cases, integrative medicine clinics offer treatment plans that combine both Ayurvedic and allopathic approaches under medical example, a person with high blood pressure may continue taking prescribed allopathic medicines while also following Ayurvedic advice for stress relief, diet, or yoga. Similarly, certain herbs like ginger are sometimes used to help reduce side effects from treatments like combined approaches can be helpful, but only when used carefully and under the guidance of trained professionals from both ROLE OF REGULATIONAnother problem is the lack of uniform global regulations for Ayurvedic medicines. In many countries, these products are sold as dietary supplements, which do not require safety tests before hitting the can result in misleading labels, unclear dosage instructions, and inconsistent product undergoing long-term or critical treatment, such as chemotherapy or HIV medication, are usually advised to avoid Ayurvedic supplements unless cleared by a healthcare OF OPEN COMMUNICATIONOne of the biggest issues is that many patients don't tell their doctors they're using Ayurvedic or alternative remedies.A 2023 survey by the National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) found that 60% of patients who mix alternative and modern medicine do not inform their silence can lead to serious health risks and poor treatment urge patients to be fully transparent about all the medications and supplements they are QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE COMBINING SYSTEMSBefore using both Ayurvedic and allopathic treatments, consider:What is the goal? Is it to manage side effects, boost immunity, or treat a specific disease?Are you being monitored? Regular check-ups and lab tests are your products safe? Only use verified, high-quality Ayurvedic your doctors aware? Make sure both your Ayurvedic and allopathic practitioners are in WITH A PURPOSECombining Ayurveda and allopathy can offer benefits, but only when done with informed caution, medical oversight, and clear goals. Not all herbal and modern medicines work well together, and in some cases, the combination can cause more harm than more scientific studies confirm safe combinations, patients should avoid self-medicating and seek advice from qualified experts in both fields. Responsible integration may hold great promise for the future, but for now, your safety depends on awareness, education, and professional guidance.
