Benefits & risks associated with Intermittent Fasting?

Various studies have shown that intermittent fasting-reducing food & drink intake periodically can be healthy tip for us. One of the most popular intermittent fasting diets is 5:2 Fast Diet. This fast diet is associated with eating the prescribed amount of calorie for 5 days a week but minimizing calorie to 25% for the rest of 2 days (to 500 calorie/day for women & 600 calorie/day for men).

The experts says that 5:2 Fast Diet plan helps in losing weight along with many other health benefits. The people who do intermittent fasting can see the improvements in their blood pressure, cholesterol level and insulin sensitivity. 

The benefits associated with intermittent fasting

During fasting the body is not able to get energy from food, it dips into glucose stored in liver & muscles. This process commence around 8 hours after having the last meal. When the body completely used the stored glucose then it starts burning fat as a source of energy which finally results into weight loss.

A detoxification process also occurs during intermittent fasting as the toxins stored in the body fat starts dissolving and removing from the body. Prolonged fasting may also helps in regenerating the immune cells. 

When you are fasting, your system saves energy. One thing that your body does to save energy is to recycle a lot of immune cells. Experts also say that the body got rid of the parts of system that might have broken down or old, the inefficient parts during fasting. 

The risks associated with intermittent fasting 

As you have read the benefits associated with intermittent fasting above, there are many risk factors as well involved with it. The most common risk factor of fasting is dehydration, as the body does not get any fluid from food. Hence it is very important for people who are fasting to be properly hydrated during fasting period. Fasting can be a big challenge for them who are use to have breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks in between. For them, fasting can increase the stress level, dehydration, hunger, lack of sleep and ultimately leads to headaches.

Intermittent fasting can also leads to heartburn. Lack of food causes reduction in stomach acids which helps in digesting food & destroying bacteria. But the worst parts during fasting is that the smell of food or even thinking about it can enhances the production of stomach acid which in turn leads to heartburn.

Effective yoga poses to lose weight after pregnancy

Yoga is a traditional method to relax our body physically and mentally both. It gives peace and strength to stay healthy at every stage of life. After having baby a woman stepped into the second inning of her life which is motherhood. At this stage of life yoga helps a newly mom to get back to normal pace gradually. After pregnancy, yoga helps you in many ways such as speed-up recovery, improvement in postures, helps weight loss after delivery and also improves the endurance. It does not mean that you can start practicing yoga just after the delivery rather you should start after 6 months of your delivery to avoid any kind of unwanted complications.

Effective yoga poses to lose weight after pregnancy

· Tiger yoga pose (Vyaghrasana)

Tiger pose or vyaghasana is very beneficial for moms after delivery. This yoga pose is extremely helpful in relieving post-delivery complications, toning the leg/arm/shoulder muscles, relieving back pain, helps in losing weight, rejuvenating the feminine sex organs and also helps in improving the digestive system. 

· Camel yoga pose (Ustrasana)

The camel pose also known as Ustrasana is an excellent stretching yoga that helps in toning the painful back & shoulder muscles as well. This yoga pose is also helpful in toning post-pregnancy belly fat along with arms & chest. Ustrasana is actually a multitasking yoga pose that works on all the major muscles of the body. As far as health problems are concern, ustrasana shows good results on asthma, thyroid & parathyroid disorders and spondylitis.

· Cobra yoga pose (Bhujangasana)

The cobra pose is an excellent yoga pose that helps in relieving lower back pain. This yoga pose also helps in toning the hips, abdomen, arms & shoulders. It also provides strength to spine and improves blood & oxygen circulation to the pelvic region.

· Quarter dog yoga pose 

This yoga pose is quite easy as compared to the other yoga poses but very beneficial for post-pregnancy complications. It helps in toning the legs, hips & hamstrings, relieving back pain and also improves the strength. Quarter dog yoga pose is a downward facing dog pose that is also good for firming the arms, shoulders & upper back muscles.

· Half-spinal twist yoga pose (Ardha-Matsyendrasana)

Half-spinal twist yoga pose is very helpful to improve the flexibility in spine and also in relieving post-pregnancy back pain. This yoga pose improves the blood circulation in the spine and also tone the back muscles, hips muscles, abdomen & shoulders. Practicing this yoga pose improves the nervous disorders and also provides relaxation to your mind. 

· Half-tortoise yoga pose (Ardha-Kurmasana)

Half-tortoise pose stretches your lower back & hip muscles. It is a relaxing pose that helps in toning the glutes/thighs/hips, stretches the lower lungs & spine and also improves the flexibility of scapula & deltoids. This yoga pose also provide relief from digestive disorders. 

· Pigeon yoga pose (Kapotasana)

Pigeon pose helps in firming the lower parts (hips, thighs & leg muscles) of the body. This yoga pose helps in enhancing the flexibility in lower body parts and also minimizes the stiffness. Pigeon yoga pose prevents you from urinary infections which you may suffer from after having a baby.

· Triangle yoga pose (Trikonasana)

Trikonasana is an effective pose for reducing post-pregnancy belly fat for new moms. This yoga pose provides strength to lower body, arms & chest by stretching the spine, hamstrings and calves. Trikonasana is also helpful in treating digestive problems and also provide relief from stress & anxiety. 

· Wide legged child’s yoga pose (Balasana)

This is a very good yoga pose to relax your lower back and hip muscles. It also provides firmness to your thighs, glutes and also gives you relaxation in stiffness to ankle. Balasana helps you to minimize the stress level and fatigue. It also brings calmness & relaxation to you. 

· Eagle yoga pose (Garudasana)

Garudasana improves the stability of joints by increasing the knee & ankle strength. This yoga pose also provide strength to your shoulders, arms, legs & upper back. Garudasana helps you to release the post-partum stress.

How can mustard oil (treasure of benefits) can improve your looks?

Today, we have become very health conscious, so most of us prefer to use refined oil instead of mustard oil. We think that we will put on weight if we use mustard oil as it contains fat. Well, this is not true. Actually mustard oil is a treasure of benefits. It helps to improve our looks in many ways. Mustard oil works as a natural cleanser and also helps to whiten our teeth. You might not aware of the benefits of mustard oil. Let’s get to know some of the important benefits of mustard oil.

How can mustard oil (treasure of benefits) can improve your looks?

· Mustard oil acts as a natural cleanser. You can use mustard oil as a make-up remover but you need to make sure that it does not clog pores. It helps to clean the skin naturally within few minutes.

· Mustard oil works better on teeth when it applied with lemon drops & a bit of salt. When you brush your teeth with this mixture, you will get natural shine in your teeth. Mustard oil also makes your teeth stronger.

· Everyday styling your hair can cause adverse effects. The curls, straightening, buns etc. can damage the real beauty of your hair. However you can maintain the real beauty of your hair hot mustard oil massage after styling. It gives adequate nutrients to your hair and prevents it from frizziness, hair damage & hair loss.

· If you are facing the problem of acne & rashes then you can apply few drops of mustard oil for about 10-15 minutes on your face on daily basis. It will give your skin natural glow & also will make your skin healthy.

· Regular massage of mustard oil on your face helps in the reduction of tan & also minimizes the dark spots & pigmentations. You can also prepare a face mask by mixing mustard oil with besan, 1 tsp of curd & few drops of lemon juice. Now apply this mixture on your face & neck and leave it for 10-15 minutes. You should apply this face mask twice a week to get good results. You will see the difference within few weeks.

· Winter is a season when most of us get lot of skin problems such as patchy skin, dry skin, dull skin etc. Mustard oil is again a solution to these skin issues. You can apply few drops of mustard oil on your face and rub it. Let it be for few minutes and then wash your face with water. Your skin becomes smooth & beautiful.