I have meditated for ten years. Without prior knowledge, I started a practice known as Zazen. Alternative names exist, but that is immaterial. My practice forces me to deal with my thoughts and emotions in as direct a manner as is possible. I know this may be a surprise. Most
I have been tracking the heart rate variability of the entire family for some time now. I am constantly surprised at how good it is at predicting physiology. If this sounds like Greek, allow me to explain. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is the variation in the time between each successive
You may have heard of the term lipoprotein. Yes, often used in “your lipoproteins are imbalanced or high.” So what is a lipoprotein? What is it doing? Why should you care? The name suggests its purpose. It is a protein used to transport lipids or fat. You may have heard
Ok, let me say it. People misunderstood the CEO of L&T. In the confines of a closed environment, we often say silly things. It was likely marketing fluff when he asked people to work for ninety hours instead of staring down their spouse. But what is he missing
Obesity is defined as a body weight that is higher than the prescribed standard. For the longest time, the yardstick to measure was Body Mass Index, also known as BMI. I have written several times in the past that this measure is wrong. I am glad that the standards and
Have you been asked to get an MRI recently? If you have, chances are that you dreaded the experience. MRI's are generally not fun, being locked into a closed space, the sound of machines clanging, while magnetic images are being taken of you. Typically, to detect a disease.
Have you heard of the concept of rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep? If you have wondered how did we discover REM sleep and what are the implications, dig in. In 1953, Eugene Aserinsky and Nathaniel Kleitman, at the University of Chicago, were studying sleep. During their studies, they observed
Stress is so normal that perhaps you don’t even actively think about it anymore. Except for those times when it becomes unmanageable. Can you imagine a life without stress? One where your mind and body are self-regulating and at peace? Our time here is finite. The duration is not
A cell is the smallest unit of life. Life doesn’t exist below the cellular level. But what exactly does a cell do? In short, everything that the complete organism can do. It can ingest food, produce energy, remove waste, divide and multiply, move, defend itself, communicate and cooperate with
Are you in sleep debt? You may or may not have heard of the concept, but chances are most of us experience it. Sleep debt is the backlog of sleep over days or weeks. The difference between the hours you should have been asleep and your current reality. I know
If your blood pressure is high, chances are that your doctor advised you to lose weight. She may not have been specific, but she was asking you to reduce body fat. But what exactly is the connection between body fat and blood pressure? High body fat invariable means high visceral
Growing up, winters meant sitting in our kitchen in front of a coal-based fire, toasting loads of bread and eating it with butter. A gas connection was years away. We have made progress since. Yet, kitchens are hot, humid places. Fire, heat, smoke, oil. I don’t know about your