Jennifer Aniston’s IVF Story Throws Limelight On The Ensuing Trauma

6 Vitamin-D Rich Foods To Include In Your Meals 

Shweta N, a Bengaluru-based IT consultant, at the age of 39, discovered that she was borderline diabetic. Given that her father too was a Type-2 patient for decades, Shweta did not take this lightly. She signed up for Twin Health - an AI-based diabetes reversal programme.What Twin Health does is create a digital replica of you, or more precisely your ‘Digital Twin’, by collecting more than 3000 health signals by using sensors that look like patches that you wear on your body. It analyses your food intake (thus glucose levels) and guides you with human interference for a better life.Artificial intelligence in health or what we would simply call ‘health tech’ is the new normal. From simple nutritional assistance to serious medical conditions, the path to good health is quite literally an app away. “The Twin Health app monitors stress levels, sleep patterns, daily steps, food intake, water intake through the patch and a digital health tracker - all of which are connected to the app on my phone. They also give you a weighing machine that monitors my weight,” says Shweta. “Even though the diet can be quite rigid because diabetes reversal programmes do not permit you to eat grain-based carbs, what it has done is shown me the right way to eat.” AlsoRead0<figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_shutterstock_188507768_1669209336899.jpg"></figure>Ultrahuman, one of the most advanced metabolic fitness platforms in the world, is yet another tech-based app that has found a way to address metabolic disorders by guiding one through lifestyle changes with diet being the primary marker. Founded by Mohit Kumar, who is himself a bio hacker, and Vatsal Singhal, Ultrahuman, in Kumar’s words “does not want to tell people what to do to improve their metabolism but show them the way to do it”. Ultrahuman monitors glucose and other biomarkers through its app and guides you through behavioural changes - diet, exercise etc - by monitoring how your body reacts to glucose.  <figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClOa12NS67T/"></oembed></figure>“In India, there are no specific studies on metabolic disorders. However, we are a nation where about 80 to 85 million people are diabetic, 40-45 million are prediabetic, not to mention concerns such as PCOS. One can say that in urban India, 3 out of 10 people are either suffering from metabolic disorders or are prone to it,” says Kumar, adding, “Ultrahuman began by monitoring glucose levels. Now we have added more biomarkers such as sleep and recovery and correlated them back to metabolism.” Kumar says that technology in health has given providers the massive benefit of collecting health-based data in order to provide effective and highly specific solutions, and also made good health more accessible to people, regardless of their geographic locations.”<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClOXv6EMI9z/"></oembed></figure>Talking about lifestyle changes via food, the Bengaluru-based digital health and wellness company, Healthifyme has been changing lives since 2012. Founded by Tushar Vashisht, Sachin Shenoy, and Mathew Cherian, Healthifyme gives its consumers the right way to find good health via an AI-based nutritionist. From solving diet queries to showing you how to eat better, the app tracks your calorie intake and provides professional advice on diet and fitness. AlsoRead1Founded in 2019, Ashva Wearable Technologies set out on a mission to quantify physiotherapy through wearables. The company, co-founded by Anmol Saxena, introduced three products in their portfolio - Fitknees, an AI-based wearable sensor system for comprehensive knee checkup; Fitmust, a handheld dynamometer for quantifying muscle strength; and Mudra, a wearable spinal posture monitor. <figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_shutterstock_488455750_1669209353121.jpg"></figure>The idea, Saxena says, came from “Years of unyielding physiotherapy and lack of awareness about the importance of physiotherapy (until it was too late) lead to the creation of a digital physiotherapy ecosystem that is decentralised and democratised to all”. Backed by doctors and experts, Ashva uses a motion sensor system (via wearables) to capture the range of motion, balance, sit to stand and stand to sit quality, risk of falling, staircase climbing ability and endurance of walking and misalignment of the knees in three dimensions. Fitknees is the first system in India to capture accurate gait analytics in under just one minute.“Let’s say you’re miles away from home. You get a sudden ankle twist while enjoying a run. A simple mobile application can guide you to reduce the inflammation, reduce the pain and then get you started on a simple physiotherapy exercise plan, until you can meet a professional physiotherapist,” Saxena explains.

From monitoring your daily food intake to helping you fix your metabolic issues, artificial intelligence in health has come a long way. 


The Path To Good Health Is An App Away I Zee Zest

The Path To Good Health Is An App Away 

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Remember Jaadu? You Need Vitamin D As Much As Bollywood’s Fave Alien

Till some decades ago, vitamin D deficiency was uncommon because most people had a healthy lifestyle of going to sleep on time and waking up early. Starting the day early allowed them to go for a walk or follow a workout routine before heading to work. In the process, they would take advantage of the most natural vitamin D source available, thanks to time spent taking in the sun’s rays.But recently, more people are being found to be deficient in vitamin D because they tend to sleep till late in the day. They have also been isolated indoors, especially after the pandemic, which has led to not getting sufficient amounts of healthy sunshine. When one has vitamin D deficiency, they tend to feel lethargic and tired, experience bone pain and even mood changes or depression.The best way to get your dose of vitamin D is by soaking in sunshine early in the morning. But one can also have vitamin D rich foods and vitamin D tablets, depending on the extent of your deficiency.Maintaining a proper diet is extremely important for a healthy lifestyle. It is said that what you eat is what you become. If you eat nutrient-rich food, it shows in your mood, your decision making and behaviour. On the other hand, if you lack proper nutrition in your diet, or vitamin D foods, it will affect your health and immunity.Here are 6 vitamin D rich foods that you can include in your diet to be healthier:<h2>1. A tall glass of orange juice</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_1_1667360478135.jpg"></figure>It’s not that easy to find foods that are rich in vitamin D, especially for vegetarians or vegans. Around 80 percent of people are lactose intolerant so they can’t get their vitamin D from milk. Orange juice is a great alternative for them. In most countries, packaged orange juice is fortified with vitamin D so that it can be a healthy option for consumption.AlsoRead0<h2>2. A cup of plant-based milk</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_2_1667360484768.jpg"></figure>A plant-based milk fortified with vitamin D is one of the safest options to consume for a source of vitamin D. It is great for vegans and the calcium in the milk can be great for vitamin absorption. You can drink the milk as it is or whip up a delicious smoothie with green leaves and fruits. Your morning cup of coffee or tea can also be relished with a glass of soya milk or almond milk that can act as your vitamin D sources.<h2>3. A portion of salmon</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_3_1667360491582.jpg"></figure>Along with it being a great source of protein, salmon is high in vitamin D as well. It is also high in omega-3 fatty acids. You can have it for dinner by grilling it after marinating it with some salt, pepper and olive oil. You can also add some vegetables along with the fish to get all your vitamins. Salmon is a great way to increase your cardiovascular health as well.<h2>4. A handful of mushrooms</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_4_1667360498816.jpg"></figure>Mushrooms in general are not the highest source of vitamin D but when exposed to UV light, or sunshine, its vitamin D content increases. When you buy a packet of mushrooms from the market, make sure you check the label to see if it has been packaged with UV light. A single serving of mushrooms can increase the intake of other micronutrients such as fiber, iron, potassium, zinc and vitamin B6. These magical mushrooms can be cooked and eaten almost regularly as they are easily available in the market.AlsoRead1<h2>5. A piece of tofu</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_5_1667360507236.jpg"></figure>In general, tofu is a great source of protein, iron and calcium. Most vegans consume it to keep their protein intake in check. It is fortified with vitamin D and acts as a great source of this vitamin. You can make a curry or eat it as a stir fry with some rice and other veggies.<h2>6.  An egg every day</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_6_1667360514102.jpg"></figure>Eggs are one of the highest sources of vitamin D. The yolk of the egg contains the vitamin; hence, it is important to consume the egg as a whole and not just the egg white. You can have it boiled or a sunny side up. Whether it is a Sunday or Monday, one must consume eggs every day!Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, is one that everybody must have in abundance. As we don’t have the high-quality diet that people had in earlier days, we need to be conscious and put in more effort to consume a nutrition-rich diet.While you are at it, do not forget to soak in all the sunshine you can before 9 in the morning. This way, you can avoid the harmful UV rays of the sun and get the best out of the sunny days!

It's absolutely essential to add Vitamin D to your daily diet to stay healthy and fit. And here's how you can do it. 


Vitamin D is essential for our body and is one that is most commonly neglected as well. Here are 6 Vitamin-D rich foods that you must include in your diet.
 

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The stigma around infertility and IVF remains prevalent in our society even today. Despite being around for 44 years, people still find it difficult to talk about IVF openly. Deep-seated beliefs related to fertility are rampant and conversations about IVF are hush-hush, leaving women to suffer in silence. However, in the past few years, personal disclosures by leading celebrities about choosing IVF have been a welcome change and raised hopes to help women struggling with infertility.Many celebrities have opened up about their emotional and difficult journey to parenthood. They have spoken about choosing IVF (in vitro fertilisation) in a bid to normalise the conversation around the procedure. Michelle Obama, Kourtney Kardashian, Kristen Wiig, Chrissy Teigen, Deborra-Lee Furness and Céline Dion are just some of the celebrities. Closer home, many Indian celebrities have opened up about their struggles with infertility too. While celebs such as Kiran Rao, Seema Khan and Farah Khan took the IVF route, Tanishaa Mukerjee, Mona Singh, Ekta Kapoor, and Diana Hayden chose to freeze their eggs.<h2>Jennifer Aniston shares her unsuccessful IVF journey</h2>The latest celebrity to share their IVF story was Friends star Jennifer Aniston who tried for years to get pregnant. It was during an interview with Allure, that the actress revealed she was trying to get pregnant and that the baby-making road had been challenging for her. She said, “All the years and years and years of speculation, it was really hard. I was going through IVF, drinking Chinese tea, you name it. I was throwing everything at it. I would have given anything if someone had said to me, 'Freeze your eggs. Do yourself a favour.' You just don't think about it.”<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgcsiDPP7KL/"></oembed></figure>Anniston also slammed rumours about choosing her career over kids. “It was absolute lies…narrative that I was just selfish... that I just cared about my career. And God forbid a woman is successful and doesn't have a child,” she remarked. Talking about how she’s in a happy space now with no regrets, she said, “Here I am today. The ship has sailed. I actually feel a little relieved now because there is no more, 'Can I?' I don't have to think about that anymore. I've spent so many years protecting my story about IVF. I'm so protective of these parts because I feel like there's so little that I get to keep to myself.”<h2>IVF isn’t a pleasant experience for all</h2>As more people open up about their IVF journey, it’s becoming known that the process isn’t a cakewalk. It’s loaded with complications, hormonal changes and most times doesn’t go as planned. It’s not a success for everyone and requires several costly attempts that affect physical and mental health both.For Kourtney, it had some serious side effects, “The medication that they've been giving me, they put me into menopause. The medication basically put me into depression. I just feel a little bit off. I'm super moody and hormonal,” she told her mom.AlsoRead0Bollywood actress, Amrita Rao, who had a baby through IVF, shared her experience in a video on her YouTube channel, Couple of Things. “Every time the nurse used to come to give me those hormonal shots, I used to hate it. They were painless but I used to hate it. After that, I decided not to do IVF again,” shared Amrita.Indian TV celebs Payal Rohatgi and Sambhavna Seth have also spoken about their failed attempts.<figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Mahi%20%281%29_1668510186996.jpg"><figcaption>Credit: Instagram/Mahhi Vij</figcaption></figure>TV actress Mahhi Vij shared how her first IVF attempt was not a success. Stressing the physical and mental ordeal, she told Bollywood Bubble, “I had tried IVF when I was 32 (in 2014) but it didn’t click. And then at a certain age, a lot of doctors told me I should opt for surrogacy. But Jay wanted to enjoy those nine months… IVF is not an easy journey. Emotionally you feel drained, your health and your mental health go for a toss.”<figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Amy%20%281%29_1668510146998.jpg"><figcaption>Credit: Instagram/Amy Schumer</figcaption></figure>In 2010, American stand-up comedian Amy Schumer shared a picture of her bruised stomach on Instagram with a caption that read, “I’m a week into IVF and feeling really run down and emotional.”AlsoRead1<h2>IVF and its impact on mental health</h2>Dr Nisha Pansare, Fertility Consultant, Nova IVF Fertility, Pune explains, “Not just infertility, but the hormone medication can have an adverse effect on the patient’s mental health. The hormones you are given affect your mood, although not everyone will experience the same effects. Among other symptoms, these may include insomnia, changes in sexual desire, heat flushes, depression or anxiety.”The psychological symptoms may affect fertility, treatment tolerance and pregnancy outcomes. Dr Pansare notes that the likelihood of conception may increase with reduced psychological distress.AlsoRead2Dr Sonal Anand, Psychiatrist at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai, explains, “The inability to conceive can cause feelings of guilt, low self-esteem and frustration. These may lead to varying degrees of anxiety and depression. Some may experience feelings of hopelessness and self-harm. Stress and anger outbursts resulting in marital discord, sexual difficulties and social withdrawal have been seen. Increased stress levels can cause headaches and migraine or increase the frequency of previously known migraine episodes. Sleeping difficulties and ruminating about the problems lead to irritability and mood swings. It is also known that increased stress depression can lead to problems of infertility, further worsening the problem.”

With several Indian and international celebrities opening up about their IVF journey, experts reveal the mental health effects of the procedure.



Celebrities opening up about their IVF journey has helped to normalise the conversation. Experts reveal the mental health effects of IVF. Read more on zeezest.com
