Tuesday 16 February 2016

Sesame seeds for Infertility, PCOS, Diabetes, BP, Heart Disease, Osteoporosis


Sesame seed known as “Til” in Hindi and “Ellu” in Malayalam is an ancient condiment and is used widely around the world in different cuisines. It won't be a bad idea to include this in your daily diet as It is an excellent source of copper, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, vitamin B1, B6, zinc and dietary fiber.

It is also a rich powerhouse of high-quality protein, good for vegetarians and vegans. It prevents diabetes and reduces blood pressure and is also good for the heart as it protects against  atherosclerotic lesions. PCOS and diabetes patients can make this healthy food a part of their diet, as the glycemic index is very low.

The presence of Copper in Sesame seeds aids in bringing down the swelling, inflammation and pain in rheumatoid arthritis and strengthens bones and joints. Magnesium content is helpful in preventing airway spasm in asthma, reduce blood pressure and the symptoms and side effects of menopause like irritability and hot flashes. Black sesame seeds are said to decrease testosterone levels, increase absorption of insulin and regulate the menstruation.  Rich iron content in sesame seeds is good for keeping anemia at bay.

These nutritious seeds occupy one of the top places in the list of food for fertility, as it acts as hormone regulators and enhancers. Zinc will help in ovulation in women and semen production in men. Zinc is essential for maintaining healthy bone density. So old men and women should increase their intake of sesame seeds. It also aids in the production of collagen, which keeps the skin young, healthy and elastic.

Sesame seeds are especially good for women, as the calcium helps to prevent osteoporosis, which often follows menopause due to hormonal changes and resultant bone loss. Calcium content reduces considerably in hulled seeds, so preferably go for the black seeds which are not hulled.


Phytosterol present in high quantity in black unshelled  sesame seed is known to reduce cholesterol and  also has anti-carcinogenic properties, which helps in prevention of cancer.

The rich fiber content helps in digestion and smooth bowel moments, thus preventing constipation and colon disorders.

Some studies indicate that regular consumption of sesame oil can bring down the readings of blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride. Sesame oil is an integral part of hair care products in Ayurveda and is used by south Indian women for healthy and glowing hair. Another specialty of this oil is that it doesn’t turn rancid for a long time, hence ideal for making pickles.

Sesame seeds are an integral part of the Middle Eastern cuisine, it is used to make Tahini paste, (roasted sesame seeds ground in olive oil)  used in dips and sweets and is a healthy and delectable alternative to mayonnaise.

Grind and add sesame seeds to the  curries for a rich and creamy texture, sprinkle toasted seeds on salads, soups, vegetables,dosa, oats, upma etc. for taste and visual appeal and who can forget the delicious Indian sweet "Chikki" Kerala speciality " Elleunda" – a  combination of sesame and jaggery.


Dr. Anita Mani
Infertility Specialist at Gift IVF Centre
anitadane@gmail.com

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Dr. Anita Mani is a renowned infertility specialist in south India with 15 years experience in ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). Dr. Anita has successfully set up ART hospitals in Cochin and Bangalore,  along with her spouse  Dr. S Mani. She completed MRCOG, from Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist  London, DFFP from  ART Warwick university and  worked in UK for 5 years. Dr. Anitha believes in scientific and ethical practice and is currently the director of Gift Gyno IVF centre Cochin and  Bangalore.  Apart from advanced laparoscopic surgeries, she is also an expert in various ART techniques including IVF, IUI, ICSI , donor egg / sperm. Her proficiency is in genetic abnormalities and high risk pregnancies.

Wednesday 10 February 2016

Food for healthy pregnancy



Nutrition intake during pregnancy significantly contributes to the development of an individual, it’s a crucial period which often decides the overall health of the person for years to come. Little care and caution during pregnancy can ensure that you will have a hale and healthy baby who will develop into a healthy adult. We are what we eat, so this is the time, when maximum care is required. In addition to the usual diet, we can add some amazing stuff to the diet to increase the nutritional value of the food during pregnancy.

An ideal diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and the goodness will be amplified if it is organic. Fiber intake is essential to keep bowel movement smooth and a good portion of veggies like banana flower(kodappan) and banana inner trunk (pindi) will really help. Green leafy vegetables and an assortment of different bright coloured fruits and vegetable should be made a part of the daily diet, so that all the vitamins reach your baby. Fresh fruits have more vitamins than their shelved and preserved counterparts, so pluck fresh fruits from the backyard  and have a bite, instead of consuming old/preserved fruits from supermarkets, which are packed with insecticides.

Whole grains like wheat, ragi and  boiled rice will provide the much needed carbohydrates and fibers. But make it a point to avoid maida (refined flour) and white rice. Innovative ideas like making  chappathi or roti with a combination of flours like wheat, ragi,  bajra (pearl millet), Makkai (maize) and jowar (white millet) is great, especially if you are intolerant to gluten (wheat contains gluten). The soluble fibres and low glycemic index  of  these flours are good during pregnancy. Do not try to substitute rotis with whole grain breads, as it  contains preservatives, yeast and vegetable fat

The nutritional value increases when the seeds are sprouted, hence include them in salads after  washing thoroughly so as to reduce the risk of infections. Sprouting is a simple process of germination, which can be easily carried out at home and all the pulses like green gram, chick peas, peas, lentils, fenugreek and cereals like wheat, buckwheat, rice, amaranth, oil seeds like sesame and peanuts etc can be  sprouted effortlessly.

Omega 3 fatty acids found in fishes like sardine helps in the development of infant’s brain. But too much intake of fish is not good as some fishes like tuna, shark, sword fish and king mackerel  contains higher concentration of  mercury which is not good for the baby. Nuts and dry fruits will make a healthy snack,  as most of the nuts like walnut and almonds are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, fibers and vitamins. Lean meats and eggs can be taken in limited quantities.


Coconut oil is excellent for skin nourishment, it helps in keeping the skin supple and soft  and will help in avoiding stretch marks which occur in pregnancy.

Lactobacilli are extremely useful in keeping the vagina healthy, so taking curd or fermented foods will not only help in getting protein and calcium, but also aid in avoiding infections.

Equally important is avoiding some food items, minimize eating out at hotels, especially Chinese food should be a strict no because of their ajinomoto content. Fast foods and  fried foods, bakery items and sweets can be very bad for the carrying mother and the  unborn baby and should be replaced with healthy home cooked food. To know in detail about foods to avoid during pregnancy read
http://bangaloreivf.blogspot.ae/2014/11/food-items-which-should-be-avoided.html


Dr. Anita Mani
Infertility Specialist at Gift IVF Centre
anitadane@gmail.com

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Dr. Anita Mani is a renowned infertility specialist in south India with 15 years experience in ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology). Dr. Anita has successfully set up ART hospitals in Cochin and Bangalore,  along with her spouse  Dr. S Mani. She completed MRCOG, from Royal College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologist  London, DFFP from  ART Warwick university and  worked in UK for 5 years. Dr. Anitha believes in scientific and ethical practice and is currently the director of Gift Gyno IVF centre Cochin and  Bangalore.  Apart from advanced laparoscopic surgeries, she is also an expert in various ART techniques including IVF, IUI, ICSI , donor egg / sperm. Her proficiency is in genetic abnormalities and high risk pregnancies.