Author Archives: Loknath Das

This new HIV therapy could boost immunity levels in patients

Turns out, a new HIV drug can reduce the viral replication and increase immune cells in individuals with advanced, drug-resistant HIV infection. Used in combination with existing HIV medications, the drug is a promising strategy for patients who have run out of effective treatment options, the researchers at Yale University said. For some individuals with HIV, existing drug therapies fail Read More


Smokers better off quitting, even with the risk of weight gain

If you quit smoking and gain weight, it may seem like you’re trading one set of health problems for another. But a new U.S. study finds you’re still better off in the long run. Compared with smokers, even the quitters who gained the most weight had at least a 50% lower risk of dying prematurely from heart disease and other Read More


Genomes sequencing at birth, low cost makes it a tempting proposition

As the cost of genome sequencing decreases, researchers and clinicians are debating whether all newborns should be sequenced at birth, facilitating a lifetime of personalised medical care. Researchers at The Hastings Center stated that health professionals should recommend parents to use direct-to-consumer genetic sequencing to diagnose or screen their newborns. “Genomics is a powerful tool, but the results it returns Read More


Tips to sleep better, 5 simple shortcuts before bedtime to ensure you wake up fresh

Sleep is crucial for good health. A lot of studies have thrown light on how not getting enough rest can affect you. Insufficient sleep can double your chances of dying from heart disease or stroke, particularly in people with risk factors like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol. And according to a study conducted by the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, even Read More


Workplace wellness programmes benefit healthy employees more than others

A number of studies have pointed to the potential benefits of workplace wellness programmes — from increased gym use to decreased health-care spending. But what wasn’t clear was whether wellness programs are really making people healthier, or whether healthier people are more likely to enroll in them. A new study suggests it’s the latter. Long before this insight was revealed by science, it was Read More


Energy drinks mixed in alcohol could make you feel more drunk

If you like consuming alcohol with energy drinks, beware. A key ingredient found in energy drinks can worsen the negative effects of binge drinking, reveals a new study. Many people mix energy drinks with alcohol to neutralise the sedative nature of alcohol, tricking people into feeling more awake and less drunk than they really are. Researchers from the University of Portsmouth and the Read More


Body image issues are affecting young kids as well, here’s why

Having issues with body image is a problem that a lot of people deal with. It mostly stems from unrealistic body ideals. The issue not only affects adolescents and adults, but kids as well. A recent study found a connection between hormones and body satisfaction in young pre-pubescent children. The study examined data from more than 1,100 girls and boys Read More


Feeling the blues, pick up a bicycle and pedal your worries away

Turns out, cycling is the ideal mode of transport associated with the greatest health benefits, it improves self perceived general health, mental health and reduces the feelings of loneliness, a new study reveals. The study was led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health. It formed part of the EU funded PASTA project and was performed at seven European cities Read More


4 easy tricks to stay on track with your fitness goals and avoid bingeing this long weekend

We work 5 days a week and live for the weekend. And if it’s a long weekend that you spot on the horizon, the dreaded week seems to pass quickly. But weekend also brings with it oodles of lazy mornings, weekend bingeing and of course, a break from routine. But should this change in routine affect your fitness goals? Definitely Read More


Nutrichondria: An Eating Disorder Resulting From Obsession With Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Fad Diets

With weight loss and fitness fast becoming obsessions around the world, a lot of people are adopting lifestyle and diets, which may appear ‘healthy’ but may actually prove to be detrimental to the physical and mental well-being. This obsession with ‘clean eating’ and dieting may well have exposed a number of eating disorders. A recent study by a leading wellness Read More