Or how weights benefit the brain — The word dumbbell originated in 18th century Britain to describe church bells used by exercise enthusiasts without their clappers — hence ‘dumbed’. It isn’t ironic that the mention of dumbbells brings up images of bulked up bodybuilders more than smart business types. This needs correction. From our bodies (or someone…

Love is a potent safeguard against chronic psychological stress. — In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, here’s celebrating the crucial role of love in safeguarding our health. Love protects us from widespread damage that is caused by psychological stress. The term ‘stress’ was introduced to medicine by Hans Selye in the 1930s. He was describing the deteriorating health of rats…

An important reason that keeps many from achieving their desired weight is the ‘fear’ of exercise. It takes willpower and discipline to prepare yourself to sweat and tire with unfailing frequency. When we finally gather some willpower, life disrupts the discipline. This exercise phobia is made worse by Instagram and…

Feedback to my last article included an interesting question. Even if we over-ride our social and emotional impulses to eating, what should we eat? What qualifies as healthy food? I am not a nutritionist or dietician, so please don’t expect a to-eat list. Also, all of us are unique in…

My last article had proposed, as a New Year resolution, that, in order for us to lose weight and keep it off, it is important that we learn to change our food environment. I had explained, citing the mismatch hypothesis, how our ancient survival circuits are unable to cope with…

We are at the beginning of a new year. A time when we begin making those ‘healthy’ resolutions. Most fizzle out within the first quarter. Largely due to what corporate executives call wrong objective-setting. The goal isn’t understood well, hence objectives are poorly defined, thereby causing a mismatch between effort…

This is a follow-up to my last piece on the importance of the immune system for a Covid vaccine. It led to an immediate question: how do you build a healthy immune system? Are you among those losing sleep over being betrayed by Dabur in fortifying your immune shield? Or…

First things first: This is not an anti-vaxx post. Vaccines have a documented record of saving lives in numbers unknown ever before in history. What is a vaccine? A vaccine is really an evolution of the antidote of yore. You fear dying of a substance, so you take small shots of it to make…