The human brain is an energy hog consuming about 20% of the body’s energy while accounting for only 2% of its weight. But do you know that the brain divides the energy used for internal and external purposes? To understand this, we need to understand two terms. Interoception and
If you are like me, obsessed with tracking and measuring, you would have noticed that the new devices tell you your breath rate. Your smart watch, for example. But have you ever wondered how your watch, worn on your wrist, magically seems to be able to extend up and count
My dad has always been famous for carrying a pen and paper. He would jot down his thoughts and ideas. I was the technology enabled, cool one, or so I thought. No archaic P & P for me. Until I resumed writing by hand. I will not go back. Ever.
Food is complex. No, I don’t mean it is difficult to understand. I mean that food itself is complex. Sure, there is the obvious. Foods that contain protein or fat, for example. But food is complex because it contains a multitude of bioactive compounds. So what are bioactive compounds?
If you have dark spots on the skin, you may have dismissed it as a mere cosmetic concern. It may carry a deeper message about the body that you should pay attention to. Dark spots are formed by the skin producing melanin, a pigment. The production of glutathione regulates melanin.
It is the season of cheer. World over, people are celebrating Christmas. Laughter, joy, happiness. But how long does an emotion last? A few hours, weeks? Months? The answer will vary depending on who you ask and where they are in their lives. But here is the funny thing. Emotions
Artisanal pizza or artisanal bread. I am sure you have enjoyed both. But do you know what an artisanal seed is? I didn’t either until very recently. A few global companies control most of the seeds used to grow fruits and vegetables. These companies produce the seeds that your
Shugendō is a unique Japanese spiritual tradition which defies the modern pursuit of comfort and ease. Happiness, we think, comes from comfort, ease and convenience. The philosophy of Shugendō says no. The path to happiness demands suffering, pain, and discipline. This is not suffering for its own sake, but a
Quick, check to see if your neck is stiff. Chances are that for most of us, our neck and shoulders are. Stress in the neck comes from chronic stress over weeks and months. Poor posture and lack of exercise makes it worse. What’s the most effective method for relieving
Ancient Indian scripts say that our world is Maya. An illusion. While we may believe that we exist in reality, it is a very realistic projection. Perhaps, someday, we will find out. Meanwhile, a more realistic possibility exists. Everything that we see around us will be a projection. We live
Breathing is fundamental to life—an act so natural we rarely stop to think about it. But if you wanted to measure how well you breathe, what metrics would you consider? The most obvious measure, and one we’ve discussed before, is your respiratory rate—the number of breaths you
What creates a competitive spirit? Wanting to win and challenge yourself and others? When is it beneficial and can it ever become harmful? Competitiveness in the brain is driven by a complex interplay of neurological, psychological, and hormonal factors. These elements work together to motivate individuals to compete, seek achievement,
Labelling sound in the colors of the rainbow sounds like a strange exercise. So why do we call sound pink, white or brown, and why does it matter? It turns out that sound has a spectrum, just like light. The spectrum of sound most similar to the spectrum of pink
Histamine is a signalling chemical produced in your body. It triggers an immune response to help your body fight an intruder. Regulating your histamines is critical because an allergy can trigger an anaphylactic attack, which can be life threatening. But what is the link between hydration levels and the release
It is that time of the year. Please consider getting an annual checkup. As we head to the close of the year, I know your days are filled with social engagements. Nevertheless, make time to go to a clinic. There is no better cure than prevention. Prevention relies on early
“You have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Franklin Roosevelt made this statement in his inaugural speech in 1933, when elected President. The global economy had just undergone the great depression in 1929. Banks were losing depositors as people were scared. He was appealing to the population to stop being
Chelation is a process by which you eliminate unwanted elements from your body. Think of it like spring cleaning yourself. How can you use chelation for your benefit? Let us set up a use case. Your lifestyle has been poor, your blood pressure high, leading to elevated calcium in your
Your brain generates electrical pulses, used to signal the body. A group of neurons generates a pattern that can be recognized and classified. Alpha, Beta, Delta and Theta, for example. What are your brain waves telling you and how can you use it to your advantage? You generate alpha waves
Today, I deal with one of the most enigmatic themes in health. Why does my body respond differently to the same stimulus? Why can I eat anything on my holiday but get bloated when I eat it at home? Why can I walk miles on a vacation, but feel too
Lactose is a simple sugar found in nature. Two sugars, galactose and glucose, combine to create lactose. Are you lactose intolerant? What are the signs of lactose intolerance? How can you tell if you are? To find the answer, one must understand how lactose is produced. When galactose and glucose
Astigmatism is a common vision condition caused by an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens. It results in blurred or distorted vision. In a normal eye, the cornea and lens are evenly curved, allowing light to focus on a single point on the retina. In astigmatism, the cornea or
“Assume you have achieved homeostasis. Would you need to focus on anything else? Remember, from my article yesterday, I was speaking to entrepreneurs. Smart people always looking for an edge. “Breath” I said. If you wished, you could build a stack a mile high. Filled with myriad cures, magic pills,
“What is the one universal principle that has not changed? Something that you would hold to be true, no matter what, when it came to health?” I was being asked a deep question, having just concluded my talk to seventy entrepreneurs. Homeostasis, I said without hesitation. Coined by Walter Cannon,
You keep speaking to yourself. In your head. All the time. Have you ever wondered why? What is the biological or evolutionary benefit of speaking to yourself? You hear people asking you to tame, slow down, or even stop the thoughts. That’s all well and good, but it begs