Ask

Dear Pavan, Thank you for the question

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. It can spread through contact with infected body fluids like blood, saliva, vaginal fluids and semen. It can also be passed from a mother to her baby. Some of the common symptoms are-

• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• dark urine
• feeling very tired
• nausea
• vomiting
• pain in the abdomen.

We request you to kindly contact your health care professional or a hepatologist for further treatment and management.

Liver is an important organ and plays a key role in the regulation of metabolism, storage of nutrients and detoxification.

Some tips to maintain and support good liver function:

• Avoid excess consumption of high fat foods and sodium, limit the consumption of deep-fried foods. Consumption of alcohol should be limited.  
• Eat a balanced diet including all food groups
• Eat food with fiber helps your liver work at an optimal level. Fruits, vegetables, whole grain, millets, multigrain etc are good sources pf fiber and contribute to your fiber needs
• Include protein in your diet as it helps in repair of tissues and regeneration of liver Some of the sources include pulses, lentils, milk, paneer, soybean, eggs, lean meat, nuts & seeds, etc.
• Restrict the intake of salt and water if oedema and ascites are  present(the quantity should be advised by the healthcare professional based on the urine output).

Fat in the liver can come from diet, increased fat production in the liver, or decreased ability of the liver to clear the fat. Genetics can affect all of these processes. Diets that contain high amounts of carbohydrates and sugars (including fructose and high fructose corn syrup) can stimulate fat production in the liver cells.

Lifestyle alteration, including dietary modifications plays an important role in the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 

Here are few nutritional guidelines to manage fatty liver

• Have a Diversified Balanced Diet that includes all the food groups in the right quantity which thereby provides you with all the essential macro and micro nutrients that your body requires daily for proper functioning.
• Consume minimum 5 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit as they are rich in Fiber, essential minerals & Vitamins as well as they give you a feeling of satiety.
• Limit intake of deep-fried foods. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
• Try to consume more of Whole grains, Millets and Multigrain foods as they are a good source of fiber.
• Try switching from saturated fats and trans fats to MUFA (mono-unsaturated fatty acids) & PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) as they are essential fatty acids and are good for your health.
• Carbonated and alcoholic beverages to be limited or preferably avoided.
• Limit intake of deep-fried foods. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
• Have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before sleep time.
• Drink adequate amount of water (minimum 8 glasses) of water daily to keep yourself well hydrated
• Engage in at least 30-45 minutes brisk walk/physical activity of moderate intensity at least 5 days a week.
• Try and follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and Quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead

Dear Divya Borkar, Thank you for the question

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, which may potentially affect the reproductive, hormonal and metabolic functions. There is no one particular diet or food dish that can stop or cure PCOS. Management of PCOS involves multiple factors such as Dietary intake, physical activity, lifestyle pattern, metabolic conditions, genetics, stress etc. However, it is necessary to follow a healthy balanced diet with low fat intake, good amount of protein and fibre for ideal weight management.

We request you to kindly contact your gynaecologist for further assistance, diagnosis and management.

Here are a few tips to help manage PCOS/ PCOD

• Eat regular meals with balanced diets including all food groups
• Low Glycaemic Index (GI) foods have proven to be effective when managing PCOS/PCOD. Some of the Low GI include green leafy vegetables, carrots, green beans, apples, orange, pear, millets, lentils etc.
• Limit intake of deep fried and high fat foods.
• Engage in regular physical activity

Hypothyroidism refers to the common pathological condition of thyroid hormone deficiency. Thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism requires further diagnosis from specific medical experts. It is suggested to contact your health care professional for further assistance and management for thyroid disorders.

Here are few tips to manage Hypothyroidism 

• Iodised salt, seafood (such as fish and prawns), grains and breads are common dietary sources of iodine. Include iodized salt in your diet and food preparation.
• Try to limit the intake of Cruciferous vegetables like kale, turnips, cabbage, cauliflower etc., as they are known as goitrogens which can inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
• Limit the intake of soy products as they contain Goitrogens. They may also be found in soy products like soy chunks, soy granules, tofu, etc.

• Along with iodine, Selenium also helps in improving the thyroid functioning. Seafood, organ meats, cereals, poultry, red meat, and eggs are a good source of selenium. Include these foods in your daily balanced diet. 

Rosacea is a commonly encountered chronic inflammatory skin disease in adults with a predilection for highly visible areas of the skin such as the face. It is characterized by flushing, redness, pimples, pustules and dilated blood vessels. We request you to kindly contact your health care professional such as a dermatologist for further assistance and management.

Healthy skin reflects overall good health that requires, Dietary modifications, regular physical activity, stress management and adequate sleep along with proper hydration.

Here are a few tips for skin health

• Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease sebum production and follicular occlusion & reduces inflammatory acne lesions. Some of the most common sources of omega 3 are Fish, nuts & seeds etc.
• Micronutrients like Vitamin A, E & C help to build and maintain healthy skin. The best dietary sources include Orange-yellow fruits and vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits like berries, oranges, lemons, kiwi, nuts and seeds etc.
• Vitamin B6 and Zinc Found in, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds may help in reducing acne by regulating hormones implicated in the development of acne.
• Drink adequate amount of water to maintain hydration.

WHO has given different BMI (Body mass index) classifications to categorise adults into different weight categories. BMI is a simple index of weight-for-height. It can be considered as a 2nd level indicator of overall health.

It can be calculated using a simple formula of BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m²)

Following is the WHO BMI Classification

18.5 to 24.9 - Normal

Less than 18.5 - Underweight

25 to 29 - Overweight

Above 30 – Obese

As per WHO BMI (Body Mass Index) classification, a person weighing less than 18.5 kg/m2 is considered underweight.

For general wellbeing, you can begin by consuming a balanced diet is which provides all the nutrients in required amounts and proper proportions. It can easily be achieved through a blend of the four basic food groups. The quantities of foods needed to meet the nutrient requirements vary with age, gender, physiological status and physical activity. A balanced diet should provide around 50-60% of total calories from carbohydrates, preferably from complex carbohydrates, about 10-15% from proteins and 20-30% from both visible and invisible fat.

As a general dietary guideline, for an apparently healthy individual/ with no specific health or nutrition needs and/or metabolic condition it is recommended to consume 2000kcal/d and for Women, the RDA for protein requirement is 46g/d and for fiber it is 25g/d.

Here are few guidelines for healthy balanced diet that can be considered:

• Have a Diversified Balanced Diet that includes all the food groups in the right quantity which thereby provides you with all the essential macro and micro nutrients that your body requires daily for proper functioning.
• Try to incorporate the My plate Concept by dividing your plate into 4 quadrants, fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, the other two quadrants with cereals and protein. A small quantity of dairy intake is recommended.
• Some of the good sources of protein include pulses, lentils, milk, paneer, soybean, eggs, lean meat, nuts & seeds, etc.  
• Begin your day with a well-balanced breakfast as it is an important meal of the day.
• Avoid skipping meals. Also, try to avoid fasting and feasting too often.
• Consume small frequent meals, with healthy snacking options.
• Consume minimum 5 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit as they are rich in Fiber, essential minerals & Vitamins as well as they give you a feeling of satiety.
• Try to consume more of Whole grains, Millets and Multigrain foods as they are a good source of fiber.
• Limit intake of deep-fried foods. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
• Have your last meal at least 2-3 hours before sleep time.
• Drink adequate amount of water (minimum 8 glasses) of water daily to keep yourself well hydrated
• Engage in at least 30-45 minutes brisk walk/physical activity of moderate intensity at least 5 days a week.
• Try and follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and Quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead

Dear Chinni Krishna, Thank you for the question

As per some experts, it can be considered healthy to have a bowel movement ranging from 3 times a day to 3 times a week.

However, passing stools immediately after meals may be a sign of Dumping syndrome which can happen after a variety of gastric procedures and occurs due to the rapid movement of hyperosmolar chyme from the stomach into the small intestine. 

Symptoms of early dumping occur within 10 to 30 minutes after a meal. Late dumping can present 1 to 3 hours after a high-carbohydrate meal.

Here are few tips to manage Dumping syndrome

• Do not skip your meals, have 6 small frequent meals at regular intervals.
• Have a gap of minimum 2-3 hours between bedtime and your last meal
• Liquids should be consumed 30 minutes after the meal.
• Limit intake of Simple sugars or simple carbohydrates and consume complex carbohydrates
• Milk products should be avoided
• Include adequate amount of fiber to your daily balanced diet. Some of the good sources of fiber include Whole grains, multigrain, millets, Psyllium, fruits such as apples, banana, citrus fruits, vegetables like green beans, peas, potato, cauliflower, nuts and soybean etc.

We recommend you to consult a specialized health professional such as a gastroenterologist for further diagnosis and management.

It is necessary to improve your overall digestive system which involves a healthy lifestyle management including a good balanced diet, adequate hydration, regular physical activity and hygiene & stress management is key to maintain a good digestive health. It is also important to ensure adequate fiber intake which is essential for a healthy gut and overall digestive health.

Gut microbiota includes a diverse community of bacteria in human gut, they carry out various functions that influences our overall health. The functions include, nutrient metabolism, natural defense against infections and regulation of immune system.

For managing a healthy gut it is important to consume a diversified balanced diet at regular intervals, maintain hydration and include dietary fibre in your daily diet. It is also important to engage in regular physical activity and include prebiotic and probiotics in your daily diet Prebiotics are food components that confer benefits to the host by selectively stimulating the growth of beneficial gut microbiota whereas Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that incur positive effects on human health. They are present in the human gut and are also taken through food products such as yogurt, fermented foods, dietary supplements etc.

Prebiotics naturally exist in different foods including, asparagus, garlic, chicory, onion, honey, banana, barley, tomato, rye, soybean, cow’s milk, peas, beans, etc.

The common sources of probiotics are yogurt, cultured buttermilk and cheese. The other foods that are produced by bacterial fermentation are, tempeh, sauerkraut, sour dough, bread etc.  Look for food products labelled ‘Probiotic’, ‘Probiotic food’, ‘Contains Probiotics’, ‘with Probiotics’ etc.

Daily RDA for fiber as per NIN, ICMR is: 30g per day for male

Here are a few guidelines for general digestive health.

• Do not skip your meals, have small frequent meals at regular intervals.
• Eat a well-balanced diet including minimum 5 serving of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit in a day as they are good sources of fiber and essential nutrients such as vitamin A, Vitamin B, iron, zinc etc.
• Include prebiotics such as banana, soyabean, garlic etc., good sources of probiotics like yogurt, buttermilk etc., to maintain a healthy gut.
• Try to include whole grains like wheat, millets and multigrain in your diet as they are a good source of fiber and other nutrients.
• Limit the intake of dairy and fiber in case of loose stools/diarrhea
• Avoid large, heavy meals, and practice portion guidance.
• Deep fried foods to be restricted. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
• Try to limit the foods like caffeine, spices, raw onions etc.
• Food should be eaten slowly and chewed well as fast eating provokes gastric feeding reflex.
• Avoid lying down immediately after your meal consumption
• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day
• Have a gap of minimum 2-3 hours between bedtime and your last meal
• Engage in physical activity for a minimum of 30-45 minutes for at least 5 days a week.
• Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality..

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead

Dear Rolo, Thank you for the Question.

Constipation, low appetite, and gallstones can significantly affect your overall well-being and mood. These issues might be interconnected, as gallstones can impact digestion, leading to constipation and reduced appetite. Mood changes could also result from discomfort and frustration with these health issues.The abnormal mood changes are usually characterized by oscillation, intensity, and inability to regulate affect change, triggered by the environment but without a recognized, activating source. For further diagnosis, assistance & management kindly contact your specialised health care professional or a psychiatrist

The gallbladder is a small hollow organ about the size and shape of a pear. It is a part of the biliary system, also known as the biliary tree or biliary tract. The biliary system is a series of ducts within the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas that empty into the small intestine.

Dysfunction in the physiology of the gallbladder most commonly results in the production of gallstones. When these gallstones cause physical blockages in the biliary tree and beyond, pain, inflammation, and infection can result in damage to the gallbladder. Some of the symptoms include nausea, vomiting, light coloured stools, signs of jaundice, extended abdomen pain etc.

Gallstone disease is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorder affecting the biliary system. Its complications are caused by inflammation, infection, or ductal obstruction.

We request you to kindly contact your health care professional or a specialised gastroenterologist for further diagnosis, assistance and management

Inability to eat or lack of interest which may be signs of loss of appetite that can be caused due to nutritional deficiency, infection, medications and/or an underlying health condition whereas Weakness, fatigue or lethargy can be due to insufficient or inadequate dietary intake, dehydration, nutritional deficiency or can be a symptom of any underlying health condition which may require medical attention.

For further diagnosis and assistance kindly contact your specialized health care professional.

Here are some tips to manage loss of appetite

• Eat a diversified balanced diet inclusive of all food groups to ensure intake of essential nutrients.

• Consume small frequent meals. Do not skip meals.

• Try to eat at regular meal times, do not wait for body’s hunger signal

• Eat along with social company.

• Ensure adequate water intake to maintain hydration.

• Engage in regular physical activity as it can stimulate appetite.

Constipation can be due to inadequate fiber and water intake, it may also be a symptom of gastrointestinal digestive issues such as indigestion, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), intolerances etc., and/or due to an underlying health condition which requires medical attention.

Some other causes that can lead to constipation include neglecting urge to defecate, irregular meals, excess stress etc.  For further diagnosis and assistance kindly contact your specialized health care professional.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of fiber for male is 30g per day

Here are a few tips to help manage constipation

• Include adequate amount of fiber to your daily balanced diet. Some of the good sources of fiber include Whole grains, multigrain, millets, Psyllium, fruits such as apples, banana, citrus fruits, vegetables like green beans, peas, potato, cauliflower, nuts and soybean etc.

• An intake of at least 2 litres of water per day.

• A glass of hot water, preferably taken with lemon juice taken early in the morning, stimulates gastro colic reflex and helps ease constipation.

Here are a few guidelines for general digestive health.

• Do not skip your meals, have small frequent meals at regular intervals.

• Eat a well-balanced diet including minimum 5 serving of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit in a day as they are good sources of fiber and essential nutrients such as vitamin A, Vitamin B, iron, zinc etc.

• Include prebiotics such as banana, soyabean, garlic etc., good sources of probiotics like yogurt, buttermilk etc., to maintain a healthy gut.

• Try to include whole grains like wheat, millets and multigrain in your diet as they are a good source of fiber and other nutrients.

• Limit the intake of dairy and fiber in case of loose stools/diarrhea

• Avoid large, heavy meals, and practice portion guidance.

• Deep fried foods to be restricted. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.

• Try to limit the foods like caffeine, spices, raw onions etc.

• Food should be eaten slowly and chewed well as fast eating provokes gastric feeding reflex.

• Avoid lying down immediately after your meal consumption

• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day

• Have a gap of minimum 2-3 hours between bedtime and your last meal

• Engage in physical activity for a minimum of 30-45 minutes for at least 5 days a week.

• Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead

Dear Ranbir, Thank you for the question

Digestive quotient is a qualitative test which gives an indicator score out of 100 for overall digestive health. Recommendations of improvement are given at the end of the test basis individual inputs and answers.

Please note that there is no parallel or interrelation between DQ score and BMI

Reduced gut health can cause various digestive issues such as constipation, indigestion, IBS/IBD, diarrhoea, Food intolerances, bloating, gastritis, acidity etc. 

It is necessary to improve your overall digestive system which involves a healthy lifestyle management including a good balanced diet, adequate hydration, regular physical activity, and hygiene & stress management is key to maintain a good digestive health. It is also important to ensure adequate fiber intake which is essential for a healthy gut and overall digestive health.

Gut microbiota includes a diverse community of bacteria in human gut, they carry out various functions that influences our overall health. The functions include, nutrient metabolism, natural defense against infections and regulation of immune system.

For managing a healthy gut it is important to consume a diversified balanced diet at regular intervals, maintain hydration and include dietary fibre in your daily diet. It is also important to engage in regular physical activity and include prebiotic and probiotics in your daily diet Prebiotics are food components that confer benefits to the host by selectively stimulating the growth of beneficial gut microbiota whereas Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that incur positive effects on human health. They are present in the human gut and are also taken through food products such as yogurt, fermented foods, dietary supplements etc.

Prebiotics naturally exist in different foods including, asparagus, garlic, chicory, onion, honey, banana, barley, tomato, rye, soybean, human’s and cow’s milk, peas, beans, etc.

The common sources of probiotics are yogurt, cultured buttermilk and cheese. The other foods that are produced by bacterial fermentation are, tempeh, sauerkraut, sour dough, bread etc.  Look for food products labelled ‘Probiotic’, ‘Probiotic food’, ‘Contains Probiotics’, ‘with Probiotics’ etc.

Daily RDA for fiber as per NIN, ICMR is: 30g per day for Male

Here are a few guidelines for general digestive health.

• Do not skip your meals, have small frequent meals at regular intervals.

• Eat a well-balanced diet including minimum 5 serving of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit in a day as they are good sources of fiber and essential nutrients such as vitamin A, Vitamin B, iron, zinc etc.

• Include prebiotics such as banana, soyabean, garlic etc., good sources of probiotics like yogurt, buttermilk etc., to maintain a healthy gut.

• Try to include whole grains like wheat, millets and multigrain in your diet as they are a good source of fiber and other nutrients.

• Limit the intake of dairy and fiber in case of loose stools/diarrhea

• Avoid large, heavy meals, and practice portion guidance.

• Deep fried foods to be restricted. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.

• Try to limit the foods like caffeine, spices, raw onions etc.

• Food should be eaten slowly and chewed well as fast eating provokes gastric feeding reflex.

• Avoid lying down immediately after your meal consumption

• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day

• Have a gap of minimum 2-3 hours between bedtime and your last meal

• Engage in physical activity for a minimum of 30-45 minutes for at least 5 days a week.

• Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead