In today’s world of rumors and lies, even nutrition hasn’t been spared! Here are the 5 most common misleading nutritional myths, many of us fall prey too.
More proteins for more muscles
You do not need an extra dose of protein to get more muscles! Each one’s body is designed according to specific needs and sometimes our bodies cannot take handle that extra amount of protein. Therefore, while trying to bulk up you may be actually harming your body instead.
Only fish gives you Omega-3 fats
Fish is not the only source of Omega-3 fats. Foods such as canola oil, walnuts, flaxseeds, and soybean also provide you with an adequate amount of Omega-3 fats that help in shielding your heart while helping you with weight loss.
White bread v.s brown bread
You cannot declare a certain type of bread as healthy or unhealthy especially based on color. It all depends upon the ingredients of the bread and the good that it does to your body.
Carbs make you fat
Carbs don’t make you fat. They provide you with appropriate energy to boost your metabolism and keep you energized throughout the day. It also helps you burn extra fat during your workout, so think before you eliminate carbs from your diet.
Going veg will help you lose weight
Most people think that avoiding non-vegetarian foods will make them lose weight.However, foods like fish, chicken, and eggs provide you with all the necessary proteins and other important nutrients that keep your body fit.


A combination of diet and exercise is the chosen way of weight loss recommended by most health experts.
 This, most of the time means joining the nearest gym to start your exercises. 
However, for some people distance or location of the Gym can be a constraint or they may simply not be comfortable exercising around a bunch of strangers and prefer privacy.
 They may also find the membership heavy in their pocket.
Our experts at Health Total understand this and recommend the below tips to help you continue with your weight loss regime without hitting that costly gym.
Eat high protein & fiber:
 Have a full and healthy breakfast every morning. The first meal of the day is an important part of weight loss. 
Studies have shown that steady consumption of a high protein, nutrient rich, high fiber breakfast can help you stay satisfied longer and thus decrease hunger cravings later on during the day.
Start Exercising at Home:
Weight resistance training like push ups, planks, and lunges help work for several muscle groups at once.
 This helps to increase your strength and power. By using the weight of your own body you can build strength and do more number of repetitions which will allow you to get leaner faster.
 Additionally, you get to perform your exercises at the comfort of your home at your own pace and privacy, without the extra money of the gym membership.
Soup before your meals
Have a bowl of soup before your meals. This helps curb overeating during the actual meal. This, in turn, helps reduce weight by adding a feeling of fullness without eating too many calories.
 Hit the bed on time
Many studies have proved that lack of sleep can disturb your hormones, increasing your cravings the next day. Try to go to bed early and get a good 8-9 hours of undisturbed sleep.
Moreover, always remember that maintaining an ideal weight is a lifetime commitment and not a one-month affair. You must firmly believe that the pleasure of being trim and healthy is far greater than the pleasure of eating unwisely. 
Once this kind of self – hypnosis seeps in, half the battle of the bulge can be won.
Our health experts believe in creating the right balance between food and exercise.
 A simple health consultation with the Health Total experts should be the answer to all your queries. 
They take your in-depth case history and suggest a food plan as per your lifestyle and eating habits. 
They also aid in guiding you with easy exercises that can be done at home.


Do you ever wonder as to why you are the first one to be affected by the slightest change in weather or food binge at the local chaat stall and most of your friends seem to be doing fine?
Our immunity is not only a result of good genetics, but a lot depends on stress, nutrition, exercise, and medication. The immune system is like the defense force of the body, which protects it from external toxins, chemicals, bacteria, and viruses as well as fights back and protects us from any trouble that brews within.
 Even the most health conscious people fall ill. However, by fine tuning certain aspects of our lifestyle, we can strengthen the immunity and protect ourselves from premature aging and degenerative diseases.



A host of recent studies has shown a positive correlation between diet and immunity. Like most of our organs, the basic composition of immune bodies is protein. Protein can be supplied through dairy products, lean meat, fish, and pulses. 
Amongst dairy products, curd and yogurt have particularly been in the limelight for its ability to enhance immune function. The gut-friendly bacteria present in cards enhance the intestinal cells’ ability to release immunoglobulins and protect against various infections. 
Although our forefathers lacked the scientific knowledge, they were definitely right about having at least one source of fermented milk in each meal. Plant foods are naturally gifted with a host of immune-modulating compounds. 
A recent German study compared the white cells of vegetarians and meat eaters. The study added upon the piling evidence that white cells in vegetarians are more potent against cancer compared with non-vegetarians. For the immune system to work properly, it requires a whole range of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C, E, carotenoids, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium working in concert with each other. 
Although no single food contains all these nutrients, some foods are concentrated sources of these nutrients. Vitamin C, the ultimate immune booster is found in many foods other than citrus foods like chilies, guava, tomato, and melons.
 It increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and cell surface coating interferon which prevents entry of viruses.


It is said that beauty is an inside job! Certain foods help the skin maintain its elasticity. If your skin is supple, your smiles or frowns can be rubbed off the face easily. But if your skin becomes dry, you get smile lines or frown lines imprinted on your face
Wrinkles usually form when the skin loses its elasticity. To some extent, it is a result of aging. They first appear around the eyes and lips as in ‘laugh lines’. It is true that as we age, our skin becomes dryer and thinner, which leads to the formation of wrinkles. However, nutritional blunders committed by us cause the same deterioration of the skin identical to that caused by aging.
One such blunder is an inadequate intake of vitamin C. It helps to form the connective tissue, makes the skin supple & prevents it from drying. You need to take at least 500mg of vitamin C daily to get its skin protecting benefit. This amount is available in a regular vitamin C supplement available in most pharmacies. Natural sources of vitamin C include guava, oranges, capsicums, cabbage, grape fruit, sour lime, papaya.
Over exposure to sun is another factor that dries up the skin. The ultra-violent – A rays that are present all day long are responsible for this damage. 
Sun bathing fortunately is not a major pass time here in India, but normal day-to-day activities such as walking in the sun, driving, marketing can cause sun damage, and dry up your skin.
Smoking makes your skin more vulnerable to wrinkles. Smoking causes constriction of the artiest, reducing the oxygen and other nutrient delivery to the cells.
 Reduced nutrients and oxygenation to the cells causes them to dry up. Furthermore, every cigarette uses up at least 20mg of vitamin C. Therefore, a chain smoker is deficient in vitamin C, which affects the connective tissue of the skin and makes it wrinkle and sag.


The summer heat can cause many annoying skin problems, such as dry skin, boils etc. So here are 9 simple tips to treat skin rashes:
Coconut oil
Coconut oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and helps soothe rash and treats inflamed skin.
Water
Drink a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water every day to cleanse your body of harmful toxins and chemicals.
Fruits
Eat at least 3 colored fruits rich in antioxidants every day such as pomegranate, black grapes, cherries, and strawberries. They are loaded with antioxidants and prove to be helpful for avoiding skin problems.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is another familiar skin treatment option. Besides being a gentle exfoliate, oatmeal will also alleviate inflammation. Mix 2 tablespoons of oatmeal with 6 tablespoons of milk and apply the mixture on areas affected with a skin rash. It helps reduce inflammation and soothe the rash.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has many nutrients and properties which are beneficial to the skin. Aloe vera is used as an anti-inflammatory agent and also provides antibacterial and anti-fungal aid. Apply the gel from a leaf of the aloe vera plant directly to the skin rash. If you are not able to find one or do not wish to extract the gel yourself, you can find aloe vera pulp at many stores. Apply this at least 3 times a day.
Chamomile
You can use either the essential oil or boil tea bags. Apply the chamomile oil or water to the skin rash. Chamomile also has anti-inflammatory abilities. It will relieve the itch and irritation of the skin rashes.
Vitamin C
It has strong antioxidant properties that can help heal rashes and reduce the chances of subsequent allergic reactions. Take 1000 mg of vitamin C daily.
Cold water
For quick relief from itching and inflammation, soak a clean cloth in cold water. Wring it out and apply it on the affected area for 10 minutes. Repeat this procedure if required to obtain fast relief.
Wheat grass juice
Drink 100 ml of wheatgrass juice twice a day for 3 months. It helps detoxify the liver and will reduce the occurrence of skin problems.
When it comes to skin rashes, you can and should combine several of the treatments to eliminate the skin rash as quickly as possible. If you are allergic to any of the plants or ingredients in the treatment, do not use that particular treatment. 
It will only further exacerbate your skin rash. Detoxifying your liver with wheat grass and consuming antioxidants regularly will help reduce the frequency of your skin problems.


Obesity is a condition in which a person’s body contains an excess of fat. A person is considered obese if his/her weight is 20% or more than the ideal body weight. Listed below are the five major signs of obesity that poses a significant threat to your life.

Weight Gain

If you find yourself on the verge of gaining excess fat or your body starts feeling heavier than usual, it’s time to take a note of it. Chances are that you are moving towards obesity. So, stop and take control of it right there.

Breathing Disorder

Since your body contains excess fat, it finds it difficult to stay active physically. Your movements are less and slower. Even if you try and be active you either paint or find difficulty in breathing normally.

Joint Pain

The moment your body gains excess weight your joints show the results. You experience joint pains and get tired easily. The most common disorder being osteoarthritis.

High Blood Pressure

As you tend to get closer to obesity, you will experience a sudden rise in your blood pressure. Your blood pressure is a little higher than the normal which might increase rapidly if not controlled.

Pre-Diabetic Conditions

If you notice a slight increase in your insulin level or visit your washroom a little more frequently than usual, that’s it. Chances are that obesity is giving you a call, which might just land up if you don’t take necessary precautions.


Cholesterol is a wax-like substance found in our blood stream. The liver is responsible for the production of 2/3rd of the cholesterol in our body yet what you eat has a deep effect on your cholesterol level as the remaining 1/3rd is obtained from our diet.
Why cholesterol can be a problem
Most of the cholesterol that ends up narrowing your arteries and contributing to heart disease come from your diet mainly whole milk products and meat. Though we know cholesterol mostly as the “bad” guy some cholesterol is required by the body for functions like maintaining cell membranes, insulation of the nerve fibers, manufacture of bile and Vitamin D and most importantly for the production of steroid hormones, and sex hormones. But when the level of total cholesterol crosses 200mg/dl it is a high-risk factor for inviting several health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol-friendly foods 
Healthy eating habits form the cornerstone of any cholesterol control plan. I am sure you have heard of oat bran’s power to lower cholesterol. It has a special kind of fiber called beta-glucan. It binds with cholesterol in your digestive tract and helps in its elimination. But, guess what! Oats are not the only source of beta glucan. Barley has much more of this special cholesterol reducing fiber. So make chapattis out of barley flour if you want to lower your cholesterol count. Whole pulses like rajma, Kabuli chana, green channa, black channa are other significant sources of beta-glucan. To incorporate oat bran in your diet you can mix it with your wheat flour in a proportion of 1:1 to make high fiber chapattis with a cholesterol-cutting edge.
The above foods have significant cholesterol lowering properties. Include these in your daily diet to reduce your cholesterol count naturally.
Cholesterol-cutting chutney
In my endeavor to bring about a balance between taste and health, I have tried to create a recipe that promotes a cholesterol lowering effect.
You will need:
  • Coriander-50g
  • Mint-20g
  • Green chilies (as required)
  • Garlic-20g
  • Flaxseeds Oil- 15g
  • Isabgol-15g
  • Salt (as per taste)
  • Lemon Juice- 10ml
  • Water as needed.
ProcedurePut all the above ingredients in a blender and blend to make a fine paste.
Health benefits 
So now that you know how to prepare this yummy chutney, let us look into the health benefits each of the ingredients provide.
GARLIC
It is known to have amazing benefits on your cholesterol levels. Garlic helps clear your blood off cholesterol and also helps thin the blood thus preventing blockages. A substance called allicin, which is found in garlic, is believed to be responsible for this effect. It also helps prevent constriction of blood vessels which in turn helps lower blood pressure. Along with the health benefits that garlic provides, it adds a lot of flavor to your chutney.
ISABGOL
Also known as Psyllium seed husk has several benefits. Firstly it helps in regulating the bowel movements by eliminating constipation. But what is more important is that it binds with cholesterol secreted in bile acids and excretes it before it is absorbed into the bloodstream. It’s already an approved health claim that 3g to 12g fiber from psyllium seed husk, when included as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce total cholesterol and LDL levels. Husk adds bulk to the stomach by absorbing water and keeps you full for a longer time, thus, in turn, reducing food intake.  Additionally, it can also aid blood sugar management by helping the gradual release of glucose.
FLAXSEEDS
Known to the common man as Ali, it’s the best vegetarian source of Omega-3 fats (alpha-linolenic acid). Regular consumption has shown significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In many studies, those consuming flaxseeds have compared very well with those taking statin drugs for cholesterol reduction.
Omega-3 fats
 can help improve HDL levels and can even help reduce the pain and inflammation that is a significant factor in conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches, and osteoporosis. Flax seeds also contain lignans (fiber) which can lower cholesterol levels and help stabilize blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
CORIANDER & MINT
Fresh herbs in every Indian home! These are rich in chlorophyll, help digestion and provide a supply of fiber which in turn can lower your cholesterol when taken in considerable amounts.


The joy of pregnancy for a woman is beyond expression. However, it is not just the joy that pregnancy gives a woman that is important, there are other key factors that you need to know. You need to pay attention to the health and body concerns that pregnancy brings into your life.  Here are 5 health and bodily changes caused by pregnancy.
A big belly
The most prominent feature of pregnancy is, of course, your big belly, which keeps expanding the size of your baby. Shrinking that belly size is the most difficult task but with an effective diet plan and physical activities it can be achieved.
Hair Loss
Thinning of your hair is a commonly seen during pregnancy. You will notice hair loss due to unexplained reasons, but do not worry because it is only temporary.
Shoe Size
Swollen feet become the biggest woes of this pregnancy journey. As your body gains weight there is a lot of pressure on the feet, which tend to get swollen and often pain,
Emotional Symptoms
Pregnancy brings too many moods. Sometimes you are happy, and sometimes you are sad. These mood swings are commonly associated with pregnancy and can keep changing from time to time.
Uncontrollable cravings
These uncontrollable cravings during pregnancy are also one of the reasons for unwanted weight gain during pregnancy. From sweet to savories, your body asks for it and you simply can’t resist it.




Being on the heavier side not only makes one socially conscious but also prone to certain diseases. Having fat more concentrated on the waistline can sometimes be the sign of pre-diabetes. It is best to control this tendency early on by making some simple diet changes.
Other than regular exercises add these amazing weight loss drinks to your metabolism. Our health experts believe in managing all health related issues with the use of food therapy.
They believe that including natural drinks not only impart vitamins in the body but also help flush out the toxins. This helps lighten the liver making it function at its optimal best thus improving the metabolism. Below mentioned are some simple but effective drinks to help shrink your waistline by flushing out the toxins:
Green tea
This drink helps kick start the body’s process of metabolism. The addition of ginger and cinnamon increases the antioxidant value of this tea. It helps fight free radicals, thus making it easy to reduce belly fat.
Recipe
Place cinnamon sticks and crushed ginger in a pan. Pour boiling hot water over it. Cover it and let it steep for 10 minutes. Now strain the drink into a cup. You may also add some lemon and honey to it. Your drink is ready.
Pineapple-Mint juice
Pineapple is loaded with many important enzymes. By adding mint, it can be made into a refreshing and delicious drink to help shrink the belly. The body’s metabolism would get improved, digestion will go smooth and the body will burn fat faster.
Recipe
Place chopped pineapple pieces in a blender. Add mint leaves and add a half cup of water. Blend into a smooth juice. Strain if needed, add some lemon juice and enjoy this tasty drink for a quick weight loss.
Curry leaves Juice
Curry leaves are loaded with fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, copper as well as vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, and many other antioxidants. It is known to be extremely good for hair and overall health. However, it can also benefit weight loss when taken regularly.
Recipe
Blend fresh curry leaves with some water into the paste. Strain this mixture into a glass. Add some drops of lemon and half a tsp of honey. Drink this regularly for a healthy and quick weight loss.



Ayurveda is a very old form of treatment. Its origin can be traced back to more than 5000 years. This natural form of medicine is mentioned in the old books of wisdom in India, known as Vedas.
This form of medicine pays more attention in balancing various aspects of an individual’s life like; their thoughts, daily diet, & lifestyle, using natural herbs. Being informed about Ayurveda enables one create a lifestyle which can help balance their body, mind as well as consciousness.
Our health experts manage weight loss with natural ayurvedic herbs. Ayurveda is a chosen form of medicine because it focuses not only on cosmetic changes but tries to enhance the complete way of living. Its closeness to nature has a healing as well as the preventive impact on anyone who chooses to follow it.
Ayurveda believes that human bodies have three different types (Prakrutis): Kapha, Pitta & Vata. It gives focus on the root cause of any illness rather than only treating the symptoms.
This form of medicine believes that people who are overweight have a large amount of ama(toxins) inside their bodies. This prevents the liver from performing its optimal best. For those who are loaded with ama or toxins, Ayurveda advises them to undergo a Panchakarma (a way of Ayurvedic detox). This also aids weight loss since detoxification is a crucial step in any weight loss program. But for those who find it difficult to go a Panchakarma, some useful herbs are suggested as mentioned below:
  • Trikatu: It is made by combining black pepper, ginger, and Pippa li (Indian long pepper). It stimulates digestive fire (Agni). A strong digestive system helps speed up the metabolism which helps fight excessive weight gain.
  • Triphala: It is well known as a very good detoxifier. It removes impurities making your skin glow. It also acts as a digestive aid. Helps to eliminate accumulated waste in the system. Also, superb for eliminating constipation.
  • Guggul: It has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to remove fat, excess fluid as well as toxins.
  • Gymnema helps to balance blood sugar levels and also reduces sugar cravings.
Our team has a trained and experienced set of Ayurvedic doctors, who specialize in weight management using time-tested natural and ayurvedic weight loss remedies. Those who are serious about losing weight can get an appointment for their first free consultation. Simply call on 1800 266 0607 and Get Your Consultation


When the amount of fat or sugar intake does not get used or converted into energy, it leads to an increase in weight or obesity. The area around your abdomen or belly area is the first body part to get affected. If you are wondering about the different reasons for obesity, here are the five major ones.
The Great Genes
It’s all right there in your genes. If you are from a background where obesity runs in the family, then there are high chances of your getting affected with it. Our genes have a strong effect on our health and obesity is one of the things that can be inherited through our genes.
Poor Diet
When a person is unable to get his diet under control or mismanages his diet, it leads to obesity. If you are someone who doesn’t eat at proper intervals or eats frequently then you are sure to get affected with this lifestyle disorder.
Sleep Deprived
If you are someone who loves watching late night movies or spends the night on the internet, then your health is at threat. People who sleep less or deprive themselves of sleep tend to put on weight faster and are easily susceptible to obesity.
Heavy Medicines
People who are on the high dosage of medicines or take steroids for health or other reasons can easily gain weight. These medicines contain elements that lead to obesity which is really difficult to lose.
Depression
Often when you are sad or depressed in life, you tend to binge more and more on your favorite food especially something that is sweet. This excess intake of sugar or food leads to weight gain and takes you towards obesity.



Tomato is an excellent and readily available health choice. Have it as a fruit/salad, or chop it and make it a part of your vegetable recipe, or just grind it into a paste and prepare soup or gravy. This sweet and tangy little vegetable, not only has an attractive red appearance but also is loaded with essential nutrients that our body requires. There are many advantages of eating the tomato, and the best part is that it is readily available and suits everyone’s budget too. It helps us lose weight the natural way while giving us many other health benefits.
Promotes healthy skin
Eating tomato every day will give you a healthy and glowing skin. The vegetable comprises of beta-carotene that offers protection to the skin from the harmful UV radiations. Further, the ripe tomato has the antioxidant lycopene, which makes the skin tough enough to bear the hazardous sun rays, thus, preventing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Lycopene is an essential ingredient of most of the artificial facials available in the market. If you don’t like eating a tomato, then you can enjoy its health benefits by using its pulp as a natural face cleanser. It’s very good for healthy weight loss.
Keeps blood healthy
One of the significant health benefits of eating a tomato is that it helps in blood circulation. An individual gets 40% of his/her daily requirement of Vitamin C by eating a single tomato every day. Moreover, Vitamin C, the vegetable is rich in Vitamin A, potassium, and iron that are essential elements for a good blood health. Consuming tomato every day supplies the body its requirement of Vitamin K, which is critical to prevent blood clotting and control excessive bleeding during injuries. You also benefit through healthy weight loss.
Strengthens bones
People suffering from osteoporosis are advised to eat many tomatoes. Repairing weak bones and making them stronger is one of the most significant health benefits of eating a tomato apart from helping you lose weight. This is because the vegetable contains calcium, Vitamin K, and lycopene, which help in improving the bone mass.
Improves eyesight
Eating tomato every day has an incredible advantage of improving the eyesight. The vegetable prevents night blindness and macular degeneration.
Improves digestion
Include tomatoes in your everyday meal to prevent the problem of constipation and diarrhea. Improving the health of the digestive system by eliminating the toxins from the body is one of the significant advantages of eating a tomato.
Fights cancer
Tomato consumption lowers the risk of stomach, lung, cervical, and prostate cancer. It is mainly due to the antioxidant lycopene that is present in the tomato, which offers such excellent health benefits. The antioxidant present in the vegetable also prevents the development of cancerous tissues in the breast and mouth. Thus, tomato gives you healthy weight loss and much more.
Cuts down cholesterol
Health experts suggest tomatoes reduce the level of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides present in the blood. The antioxidants found in the vegetable put off the oxidation of fat depositing serum lipid, thus making sure your body stays away from any cardiovascular diseases. This health benefit of tomato is good for all age groups.
Avoids urinary tract infections
Tomatoes comprise a high level of water content, and hence the vegetable acts as a diuretic. Consumption of tomato stimulates urination, thus ensuring the body gets rid of toxins, uric acid, fat, and other harmful elements. Regular urination prevents urinary tract infections, which is a common problem among females these days.
Tomato is a universal vegetable, and not only makes the preparation look rich and attractive, but also enhances its taste. Make sure to include a tomato in your daily meal to get the best health benefits the vegetable can offer including healthy weight loss.