Prevention

KXb\Z_Xi^\f]pfli_\Xck_

I 8C<3 & Ij,'

SLIM

DOWN

FAST!

■

=`i\LgPfli

D\kXYfc`jd

■

Jkfg:iXm`e^j

■

Gclj1

9\XkJki\jj

PfliJldd\i

;\kfoGcXe

9<KK<I

9F;P

=FF;J

I\^`jk\i\[ef%

?I&=9;%&)-(&'/$('

NEW YOGA PLAN

K_\Zfdgc\k\

Xek`$X^\`e^^l`[\

LOOK

10

YEARS

YOUNGER

+

=C8KK<E

PFLI

9<CCP

9<JK

DFM<JKF

BEAT

THE HEAT

,k`gjkfb\\g

Zffck_`jj\Xjfe

?fnkf

dXo`d`j\

pfliY\e\]`kj

C@=<

J8M@E>

K<JKJ

SPECIAL REPORT

contents

features

116 LIFE-SAVING TESTS

Health screenings can save your life—if they work right. What you do can make

all the difference

122 MAKING LOVE LAST

6 promises that will bring you closer together 126 SLIM DOWN FAST!

Fire up your metabolism, stop cravings and beat stress with Kundalini Yoga

134 LOOK 10 YEARS YOUNGER

The complete anti-ageing guide—to look and feel better than ever

144 FRESH VS FROZEN

The best way to benefit from frozen foods

150 FAST FOOD MAKEOVER

Feel-good favourites that boost your health

always

4 from the editor 6 faces of Prevention 12 my Prevention 158 pets 160 5 to 9, after-hours stuff 162 picture of health

144

CONSUME FROZEN FOODS THE RIGHT WAY

NUTRITION

45 News & Trends 48 Natural Healer: Cucumber 50 Calorie Counter: The perfect snack 51 Grocery Guru:

Curd this be true 53 Energy fix: Eat right to energise 54 Diet Series: Better body foods 58 Ask the nutrition expert 62 Superfruits

departments

COVER

STORIES

126 Slim down fast! 54 Better body foods

Your summer detox plan 26 Beat the heat

5 tips to keep cool this summer 134 Look 10 years younger 116 Life-saving tests How to maximise your benefits 76 4 best moves to flatten your belly

COVER

CREDITS

DESIGN & STYLING Sadhana Moolchandani PHOTO

Ritesh Sharma HAIR & MAKE-UP Ashima Kapoor CLOTHES

Top: Debenhams

FITNESS

67 News & Trends 69 Ask the weight-loss coach 70 The Walking Page 72 Success Story: There are no

shortcuts to health 74 The Motivator: Work out, new mommy! 76 Body by Design

YOU

105 News & Trends 108 Real Life: My old

man grows up 111 Work-Life Balance 112 Stay energised every day

FAMILY

81 News & Trends 82 Healthy Home: Allergy-proof your home

87 Healthy Family: For the (health) record 91 Bonding Rx: What

kind of dad are you? 100 Here’s to a healthy divorce 91

contents

JUNE

000

■ PREVENTION JUNE 2008 58 26 38 67

HEALTH

17 News & Trends 22 Health Quiz: Vision Quest 24 Ask Dr Weil:

Are some salts healthier than others? 26 Beat the heat 28 Executive Health:

‘I strive to strike a balance’

BEAUTY

31 News & Trends 33 Editor’s Picks:

Supplies for men 34 Solutions: Smell wonderful! 36 Real-Life Beauty: Give me red 38 Anti-Ageing Arsenal: Top anti-ageing products 40 15 cool tips to beat the summer sun

112

YOUR

experts

Alternative Medicine

Dr Issac Mathai, medical director, SOUKYA, Interna-tional Holistic Health Centre, Bangalore, and a renowned holistic physician.

Cardiology

Dr K Srinath Reddy, presi-dent, Public Health Founda-tion of India and former head of cardiology, AIIMS, Delhi. A consultant with the WHO and considered a global authority in his field.

Chest/Pulmonary

Dr Randeep Guleria, profes-sor of Medicine, AIIMS. A DM in Pulmonary Medicine, he is an advisor on various com-mittees of the GOI and WHO.

Dermatology

Dr Rekha Sheth, founder president of Cosmetology Society (India) runs Yuva, a chain of medispas-cum-cosmetology clinics. She has carried out research projects for HLL and Givau-dan Roure, Switzerland—the world’s largest producer of fragrances.

Endocrinology

Dr Nikhil Tandon, profes-sor of Endocrinology and Metabolism, AIIMS. His areas of interest include diabetes, thyroid disorders and meta-bolic bone diseases including osteoporosis.

Fitness

Nisha Varma, a Reebok University Master Trainer, yoga instructor and an aqua instructor certified by the Federation of International Sports, Aerobics and Fitness, Singapore.

Gastroenterology

Dr Samiran Nundy, head of surgical gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi. He has edited several medical journals including The National Medical Jour-nal of India and the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics.

Gender issues

Dr Kamini Rao, president, Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction and chair-person, the FIGO Women’s Sexual & Reproductive Rights Committee. Prevention’s Advisors

FACES

OF PREVENTION PHO TOGRAPHED B Y

RITESH SHARMA; HAIR AND MAKE-UP B

Y

DIP

ALI S

ARIN

FROM THE EDITOR

POP CULTURE

JUNE 2008

■ PREVENTION

SANGHAMITRA CHAKRABORTY

Editor

I did not quite know my father

until I lost him.

I heard stories of his warmth and kindness from friends and admirers as they came to see us in the days that followed.

I was always slightly worried that Babuji spoke his mind too often, too bluntly. He could be moody and unpredictable. Yes, he had friends, but it was only when he was gone that I was struck by how many bonds he had forged. More people understood the utterly selfless, genuine human being that my father was than I ever imagined.

Though he showered us with affection, like most men of his day he was an absent dad. I wonder how it would have been if he was slightly more involved. Would I have known him better? Would I have grown up a different person?

I have heard stories of dads from the ’60s and ’70s who would make my father look positively involved. One went to pay his child’s school fees and could not remember which class he was in!

How things have changed. As I write to you, my son Josh is leaning on his dad, listening to a storybook. Josh’s dad is pausing to ask him if he wants dinner.

I can work late, travel and spend me time knowing that my son will be fine when his dad is around.

This issue of Prevention is dedicated to dads—absent and involved. Don’t miss a daughter’s Father’s Day tribute in My Old Man Grows Up (page 108) and What Kind of Dad are You? (Page 91).

I often get calls and letters from men asking why they don’t see more of themselves in the magazine. For all you guys, there’s singer KK’s fitness success story (page 72) and cool ideas on the best grooming products for men (page 33).

Here’s to all men who make our lives better. Each one who has the courage to be mom when needed and still know that it doesn’t make them any less of a man!

YOUR

experts

A REGULAR CLEANSING ROUTINE AND PROTECTION FROM THE SUN, OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, WILL ENSURE A GLOWING AND HEALTHY SKIN

Use a mild face wash. Synergie, Pears, Pond’s, Avon, Aviance are good and trusted options to choose from. Cetaphil, available over-the-counter at drug stores, is also very effective. Use a sunscreen every day. The sun’s UVA rays result in tanning and ageing. Try Neutrogena and Vichy sunscreen products. To delay the onset of wrinkles, use moisturisers containing alpha-hydroxy acids (to renew skin cells). Try Pond’s Age Defying Cream, Avon’s ‘Anew’ and Synergie Moisturiser. Using a moisturiser with anti-oxidants such as vitamin A, C and E will also deliver the same results.

I AM 31 AND MARRIED. I HAVE VERY

SENSITIVE SKIN. PLEASE SUGGEST

SKINCARE PRACTICES THAT I CAN

FOLLOW TO DELAY AGEING AND

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SKIN.

— MANSI BAJAJ VIA EMAIL YOU ASK

OUR EXPERT ANSWERS

Prevention’s Advisors

I don’t think there’s anything serious, just lack of exercise. However, I would suggest you consult an orthopaedic surgeon. An X-ray of the knee (in weight-bearing and resting positions) should be done. If it shows a problem, get an MRI done. If both the X-ray and the MRI indicate a normal joint, I would advise some quadricep exercises for your knee and non-steroidal anti-in-flammatory drug to give you relief. Regular walking should also be a good exercise for you.

I AM 28, 5’ 6’’ AND WEIGH 64 KG. I

LEAD A SEDENTARY LIFE. I’VE BEEN

HAVING A DULL PAIN IN MY RIGHT

KNEE. PLEASE SUGGEST A REMEDY.

— MANISHA UNNIYAL, DELHI YOU ASK

OUR EXPERT ANSWERS DR P K DAVE,

Chairman, Advisory Board, Rockland Hospital, Delhi

Send us your questions at

[email protected] with YOU ASK in the

subject line

Mental Health

Dr Prabha Chandra, profes-sor of Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bangalore. She specialises in post-natal depression.

Nutrition

Dr Kamala Krishnaswamy, president, Nutrition Soci-ety of India and a council member of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences. She is a former director, Na-tional Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.

Orthopaedics

Dr P K Dave, former direc-tor, AIIMS, and an eminent orthopaedic surgeon (joint replacement & spinal surgery). He is professor emeritus and former presi-dent, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Delhi.

Obstetrics

Dr Indira Hinduja, consultant gynaecologist, KEM Hospital, Mumbai. Dr Hinduja has worked on Gamete Intra Fal-lopian Technique or GIFT—an assisted conception method, and gave India its first GIFT baby in 1988.

Oncology

Dr S H Advani, director, Medical Oncology, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre and chief medical oncolo-gist at the Asian Institute of Oncology, Mumbai. Formerly with the Tata Memorial Hos-pital, Mumbai.

Paediatrics

Dr Arvind Taneja, director and chief, Paediatric Ser-vices, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi. Recipient of the ‘Distingushed Physician’ award of the Delhi Medical Association.

Yoga

Yogacharya B K S Iyengar pioneered the world-famous Iyengar Yoga. He has been practising and teaching yoga for more than 60 years and has authored many books on yoga including the best-seller Light on Yoga.

FACES

OF PREVENTION JUNE 2008

000

■ PREVENTION DR REKHA SHETH Cosmetic dermatologist, Yuva Skin Clinic, Mumbai

Editor Sanghamitra Chakraborty Deputy Editor Sakina Yusuf Khan Associate Editor Shobita Dhar Sr Features Writer Ankita Agarwal Editorial Coordinator Shilpa Negi Art Director Sadhana Moolchandani Designer Sheetal Bhat

Photo Coordinator Sandeep Wadhwa DTP Designer Keshav Kapil

Deputy Chief Production Surendra Kumar

Production Coordinator Raj Kumar Pandey, Gajendra Bhatt

Publishing Director Mala Sekhri IMPACT Team

Sr General Manager (North, West & East) Gauri Damodaran General Manager (South)Neeta Kamath

North Mary Mehrunnisa Bangalore Shveta T M MumbaiSuman Sharma Kolkata Tanima Saha

Marketing

Head Marketing Mini Seth Sr Manager Pankaj Kumar Dy Brand Manager Neha Chandra Assistant Brand Manager Vikas Monga

Trade Circulation

Executive Director (Newsstand Sales)Vivek Gaur Sr General Manager (Sales & Operations)D V S Rama Rao General Manager (National Sales)Vinod Das Sr General Manager (South)C V Vaidyalingam General Manager (West)Rajesh Menon Dy General Manager (East) Rajeev Gandhi

Operations

General ManagerS Sridhar

Consumer Marketing Services

Sr General ManagerPoonam Sangha

Prevention Foreign Editions/Editors

■ United States Liz Vaccariello

■ Latin America Soledad Aguirre Gil

■ Continental Latin America Paola Romero

■ Greece Anna Kouvara

■ Poland Agnieszka Swiecka

■ Ukraine Olga Kovalskaya

THE PREVENTION PLEDGEYou can count on the recommendations you find in Prevention to be checked thoroughly for accuracy and supported by the opinions of leading experts and up-to-date research.

Rina Dhaka is a suc-cessful fashion de-signer who takes her health as seriously as the décolletage of her creations. She runs on the treadmill for 20-minutes, 4-5 days a week. Rina is a Buddhist and chants twice a day. She keeps away from mutton and chicken, but eats seafood. Her weakness: cof-fee. “I try to keep it to one cup a day but it often goes up to 2 or more,’’ she says.

COVER

ON THE

MEET

RINA

DHAKA

HOMETOWN: Delhi RODALE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Michelle Meyercord Vice President, Director Robert Novick Executive Director Finance Kevin LaBonge Associate Business Development Director Seana Williams International Business Manager Lucio Grimaldi Associate Marketing Director Linda Stevens International Marketing Manager EDITORIAL Jeff Csatari Executive Editorial Director Darleen Malkames Senior Production Manager Laura Ongaro Senior Editor Veronika Ruff Associate Editor Jessica Campbell Contracts Analyst Denise Weaver Production Coordinator Editor-in-Chief Aroon Purie

Chief Executive Officer Ashish Bagga

FACES

OF PREVENTION

PHO

TOGRAPHED B

Y

RITESH SHARMA; HAIR AND MAKE-UP B

Y A SHIMA K APOOR JUNE 2008

000

■ PREVENTION ‘EVERYONE CAN STAY FIT BY EXERCISING AND EATING HEALTHY’

FACES

OF PREVENTION

JUNE 2008

000

■ PREVENTION

Volume 2 Number 3

© 2007 RODALE INC. All rights reserved. Published under license from Rodale Inc. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

■ PUBLISHED AND DISTRIBUTED monthly by Living Media India Ltd.(Regd. Office: K-9, Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110001) under license granted by Rodale Inc, publisher of Prevention in the United States). ■ All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only.

■ Prevention does not take the responsibility for returning unsolicited publication material. ■ PUBLISHED AND PRINTED by Mala Sekhri on behalf of Living Media India Limited. Printed at Thomson Press India Limited 18 - 35, Milestone, Delhi - Mathura Road, Faridabad - 121 007, (Haryana) and at Plot No. 5 / 5A, TTC Industrial Area, Thane Belapur Road, Airoli, Navi Mumbai - 400 708 (Maharashtra). Published at K - 9, Connaught Circus, New Delhi - 110 001. ■ PUBLISHING AND EDITORIAL OFFICES: Living Media India Ltd., 9th Floor, Videocon Tower, E-1, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi-110 055 Phone: 011-43530800 ■ IMPACT OFFICES: ■ Trade Centre, 2nd Floor, Kamala City, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai-400013. Phone: 24983355; Fax: 24982266 ■ 5th Floor, Videocon Tower, E-1 Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi-110055. Phone: 23684800; Fax: 23684828; 23327330; Cable: LIVMEDIA, NEW DELHI ■ 98-A, Dr Radhakrishnan Salai, 2nd Floor, Mylapore, Chennai-600004. Phone: 28478526-41; Telex: 041-6177 INTO IN; Fax: 28472178; Cable: LIVMEDIA, CHENNAI ■ 201-204 Richmond Towers, 2nd Floor, 12 Rich-mond Road, Bangalore-560025. Phones: 22212448, 22213037; Telex: 0845-2217 INTO IN; Fax: 080-22218335; Cable: LIVMEDIA BANGALORE ■ 52 J L Nehru Road, 4th Floor, Kolkata-700071. Phones: 22825398, 22827726, 22821922; Fax: 033-2282-7254; Cable: LIVINGMEDIA. KOLKATA ■ 6-3-885/7/B, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, 500082. Phones: 23401657, 23400479; Telex: 0425-2085 THOM IN; Fax: 040-23403484 ■ 39/1045, 1st Floor, Karakkat Road, Kochi 682016. Phones: 2377057,58; Fax: 0484-2377059

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

MEGHNA NANDA

A UK-based nutritionist, she feels eating meals at the right time is the most effective diet mantra. She is an advisor with Premier Foods (Britain’s largest food manufacturers) and a registered practitioner for pre-conceptual care and infertility. In this issue she gives a detox plan (p 54) that will leave your health and skin glowing.

YOU

_SHOULD

MEET

I must point out a gross inaccuracy regarding edible oils. The article ‘7 Eat Right Rules to Stop the Clock’ (April, 2008), says “olive and canola oils (are) rich sources of Omega-3.”

Olive Oil, despite its many other health benefits, contains almost no Omega-3. Canola Oil is certainly rich in Omega-3 and also con-tains the ideal balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. For a magazine like Prevention, with its high editorial standards, this is a gross error. —Himani Dalmia, Assistant Manager, Marketing, Dalmia Continental Pvt. Ltd.

CORRIGENDUM We deeply regret that canola oil and olive oil were said to be rich sources of omega-3 in the same breath. Olive oil, in fact, does not have a high omega 3 content.

Dietician Ritika Samaddar, the writer of the article, clarifies: “Olive oil has about 15% saturated fat, 75% as monosaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and 10% as poly. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) can be further divided as omega 3 (w3) and omega 6 (w 6) and olive oil has fats from omega group but has w 6 or linoleic acid and very lit-tle w3 (Source Nutritive Value of Indian Foods, National Institute of Nutrition, ICMR-2004).” It is possible to enhance omega-3 content in the diet by including fish and flaxseed, nutritionists say. —Editor.

CONTRIBUTORS

Mail your letters to the editor to: Editor, Prevention, 9th Floor, Videocon Tower, E-1, Jhandewalan Extension, New Delhi - 110055, or e-mail to [email protected]

FOR SUBSCRIPTION ASSISTANCE CONTACT:CUSTOMER CARE, India Today Group,

A-61, Sector 57, Noida (U.P.) 201301. Phone: from Delhi and Faridabad: (95120)2479900, from Rest of India: (0120)2479900; Fax:(0120)4078080; E-mail: [email protected] GURMUKH KAUR

KHALSA

She has been teaching Kundalini Yoga in the US for the past 30 years. Her disci-ples include LA elite such as Madonna and Cindy Craw-ford. We caught up with Gurmukh when she was in India to attend the World Yoga Congress held recently in Rishikesh. On pg 126 she shares with you yoga poses and breathing exercises that will fi re up your metabolism and help you lose weight.

68 USEFUL THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH: A TEAR-OUT CHECKLIST DETOX WITH FOOD

(p 54)

❑DRINK a glass of warm water to which some lemon juice has been added first thing in the morning

❑REDUCE consump-tion of tea, coffee, sugar and alcohol

❑STOCK UP on fibre. For instance, add steamed beans to my bowl of salad

FIGHT BODY ODOUR (p 34) ❑SHOWER twice a day for freshness

❑CHANGE under-garments every day

❑DRINK plenty of water and fresh juices through the day. Hydration reduces the amount of sweating

❑WASH underarms with a solution of alum and water

PREVENT ALLERGIES (p 82) ❑FIX leaking taps and pipes in my home before the monsoons

❑USE smaller carpets. They’re easier to clean

❑WASH my bed linen in hot water

❑WIPE window grills with a wet cloth or mop

❑CLEAN AC filter every month when in regular use

❑AVOID smoking indoors

BEAUTY CARE FOR SUMMERS (p 40) ❑WEAR a sunscreen with SPF 15 to 30 daily

❑USE moisturisers with ingredients such as AHAs, white tea, cucumber and aloe vera

❑WIPE my face with cottonwool dipped in milk to reduce skin irritation

❑COOL OFF tired eyes with gel eye pads

❑CONDITION my hair regularly

❑ADD essential oils and potassium permanganate to my bath water

EATING OUT, WISELY (p 58)

❑DINE at restaurants that use fresh ingredients

❑OPT for Oriental and Mediterranean cuisines. They are low-cal

❑STICK to clear soups

❑SKIP appetisers, focus on the main course

❑LIMIT myself to 2 medium drinks of wine

❑HAVE fresh fruits for dessert

FOLLOW NEESHA’S TIPS to start working out after pregnancy (p 74)

❑START now. Do not delay starting my workout regimen ❑KEEP my routine simple. Do exercises

My Prevention

like walking ❑ROPE IN friends to enjoy my workout more WITH RED LIPSTICK (p 36) ❑KEEP eye make-up minimal

❑USE a peach blusher to highlight my cheek bones

❑WEAR light pastel coloured clothes in summer months

❑CAN wear red nail paint

FIND MORE ONLINE

■ www.dlfgolfresort.com Gift your dad a membership to the golf academy at DLF Golf Resort and Club, Gurgaon, on June 15, Father’s Day. Golf is a good cardiovascular exercise as it involves a lot of walking.

■ www.indianredcross.org visit the web-site to donate relief and medical goods for victims of cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.

■ www.osteoporosisindia.com log on to this site to know more about bone and joint disorders such as osteoporosis, arthritis and gout.

■ www.tarladalal.com Pick up healthy, low-cal recipes. The website has special recipes for diabetes and heart patients, and to up your calcium and iron intake.

PREVENT AGEING (p 38) ❑APPLY an anti-wrinkle cream, with vitamins in it, before going to bed DETECT CANCER BETTER ( p 116) ❑CONSIDER getting a human papilloma virus test ❑CARRY my previous X-rays along, when going for a test

❑SCHEDULE my mammogram in the first 2 weeks of my menstrual cycle

❑SKIP deos, talcs, and perfumes on the day of the mammogram

MAINTAIN MEDICAL RECORDS (p 87) ❑PUT all medical records in one box

❑COLOUR CODE them for better iden-tification

❑SAVE the records digitally on a pen drive

GET AN ENERGY SHOT (p 53) ❑CONSUME more protein. Have a katori of daal for lunch

❑AVOID energy drinks

❑HAVE coffee late in the afternoon rather than in the morning

WALK BETTER ❑COUNT my steps with a pedometer (p 68)

❑DO 4 laps of a walk-ing track within 20

minutes for greater health benefits (p 68)

❑SWING my arms to increase intensity (p 70)

FIGHT AGE ( p 134) ❑LIFT weights for better bone health

❑SHARE my troubles with friends and family

❑CONSUME more of fish and multi-hued vegetables

❑REDUCE my con-sumption of high-GI foods like potatoes

❑KEEP a pet

MAKE LOVE LAST (p 122)

❑TAKE time out exclusively for my

TRY THESE

RECIPES

■Black bean burger with corn salsa (p 152). Serve with chopped vegetables for more nutrients ■Tomatoes stuffed with curried shrimps (p 154). Shrimps are a good source of low-fat, low-cal protein

■Roasted chicken salad with mango and pistachios (p 155). A few pistachios a day help keep blood pressure in check ■Chicken pizza (p 156). The wholewheat base will up your fibre intake ■Tropical smoothie (p 49) ■Cucumber salad (p 48) Plus, see prevention.com

for more tasty recipes.

spouse if I have been too busy of late

❑BE honest about my feelings with him

❑TAKE better care of my physical and emotional health for the sake of our relationship

RIGHT WAY TO USE FROZEN FOODS (p 144) ❑DO NOT pick up food packets that have ice crystals in them

❑THAW only as much food as I could con-sume at a given time

❑MICROWAVE or steam frozen food rather than boil it to retain its nutrient value

(write them here!)

My

Goals

ILL US TRA TIONS B Y P A UL WILL OUGHB Y

JUNE 2008 PREVENTION ■

000

Nursing is best for baby’s health. Now a Harvard study fi nds that it helps moms, too, by warding off diabetes. Researchers tracked the health of 160000 women for 15 years and found that the longer a woman breastfed, the more protection she gained. Each year of breastfeeding lowered risk by 15%. The reason: nursing appears to lower moms’ blood sugar levels. It also burns about 500 calories a day, and helps new moms regulate their weight.

Breastfeeding bonus

health

Breastfeeding

can also slash

breast cancer

risk by half

ST

OCKB

YTE PER CENT LOWER IS YOUR

RISK OF DIABETES IF YOU NURSE YOUR BABY

15

JUNE 2008

000

■ PREVENTION

Hands up for great health!

5 simple ways your fi ngers and palm can fi ght disease and bone loss—

and even revive fl at hair.

—Merritt Watts

LOSE WEIGHT Check portion sizes when eating out. Hundred gm of meat is about the size of your palm. An ideal 35 gm-size serving of dessert (say, a brownie) is roughly the size of an average woman’s thumb.

1

FIGHT OSTEOPOROSIS Get a peripheral ultrasound scan on any fi nger to check bone density; many imag-ing centres offer them. It is inexpensive and can tell you if you need a more precise DEXA scan by a doctor.

2

WATCH FOR A THYROID WARNING If your fi ngernails are ragged and breaking more than usual, it could be a symptom of hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Call your doctor for a full thyroid check-up (simple blood tests and a visual exam to start).

3

WARD OFF BAD GERMS Washing your hands is the single best way to avoid getting sick, say experts. Scrub with soap and hot water for 20 seconds and don’t forget to scrub between your fi ngers and under nails.

5

RELAX—AND GET HEALTHY HAIR Give your hair a self-massage every night; practitioners say it can stimulate hair follicle growth and thickness. Place your fi ngertips on your forehead at the hairline and exhale as you stroke through your hair to the back of your neck. Repeat 10 times.

4

PHO TODISC

health

NEWS+TRENDS

18

TO P: JUPITERMEDIA C ORPORA TION

health

NEWS+TRENDS

AWKWARD QUESTION OF THE MONTH

Is there a way I can make my gas less smelly?

A

Some foods make your gas more smelly, says Dr Samiran Nundy of the surgi-cal gastroenterology depart-ment at Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Prevention advi-sor. He explains why: as bacteria in the colon ferment indigest-ible bits of food, smelly gas results. Meat, onions and foods containing a lot of fibre and carbohydrate and sulphur-rich foods, such as broccoli, cauli-flower and beans, produce a lot of gas with a pungent odour. If you have smelly farts, you should avoid these foods and take plenty of dahi and probi-otic tablets which will change the bacteria in your bowel from those which produce smelly gas to those which do not.

Q

Art for heart’s sake

Discussing Monet’s merits could lower your blood pressure. In a Swedish study, 40 elderly women met once a week: half viewed and talked about art; the rest dis-cussed hobbies. After 4 months the art group had dropped their blood pressure by 12 points—and they felt happier.

The hobby group had no changes. Other studies suggest that discussing art (or listening to music and reading literature) can make people feel more positive and creative. Study author Britt-Maj Wikstrom, PhD, says younger women may also benefi t from art encounters.

Stroke kills thousands of people each year. And many of the victims lack telltale warning signs such as high blood pressure. Research has found a new way to predict who’s in—via an eye exam.

Scientists from the University of Sydney in Australia photographed the eyes of 3654 healthy adults and screened them for signs of hypertensive retinopathy, which causes small ruptures in the eye’s blood vessels.

After 7 years, those with retinopathy were three times more likely than oth-ers to have suffered a stroke. “The vessels in the eye are similar to those in the brain,” says study author Paul Mitchell, MD. Mitchell says retinal-imaging tests could soon be used as a regular screen for those in elevated-risk group. For now, ask your ophthalmologist about retinopathy at your next check-up.

Eye-opening stroke predictor

JUNE 2008

000

20

■ PREVENTION

health

NEWS+TRENDS

JUNE 2008 PREVENTION ■

000

Answer Many women do not have an orgasm with penile-vaginal intercourse despite being highly aroused. An orgasm is not the ‘goal’ of sex. If you focus too much on making it happen you will lose the fun and joy of sex. For many women (unlike with men) there are no clearly visible signs of an orgasm. It is possible that your wife has gentle orgasms that you are not aware of because you are waiting for something earth-shattering to hap-pen. Some orgasms come like a whisper.

Let me suggest a couple of things that might help her. Keep up the focus on foreplay. While you are having intercourse, try stimulating her clitoris with your fingers. This would, of course, require both of you to adopt a position that makes it anatomically possible. She could also try the woman-on-top position—this would give her more control over angle, speed and pressure. Also, have you tried continuing stimulating your wife with your fin-gers or your mouth after you have ejaculated? There are many parts of your body apart from your penis that you can use to bring her pleasure.

RADHIKA CHANDIRA-MANI is executive director of TARSHI, an organisation that works on issues of sexuality. She is a trained clinical psychologist.

ASK

RADHIKA

“

I AM 32 AND MY WIFE IS 30. WE HAVE A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP BUT SHE NEVER HAS AN ORGASM DESPITE BEING SUFFICIENTLY AROUSED. PLEASE HELP.

”

— S Puri, Delhi

SEXUAL HEALTH QUESTION

Write to her at [email protected]_{or call the TARSHI}

helpline at 011-24372229, Mon-Wed, 10am-4pm.

Two competing drug companies—Bentley and Nastech—are in the middle phases of testing nasal insulin sprays for people with diabetes. Early data indicates that insulin is absorbed more quickly when inhaled than when injected. > > > Chemists at the University of California, Irvine, are developing a breath test to monitor sugar levels in diabetics. The pinprick-free technique measures the level of methyl nitrates in exhaled air, which is much higher in hyperglycemic individuals. > > > Scientists have successfully implanted monkeys with insulin-creating cells derived from the pancreas of a pig. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis predict they’ll soon have the ability to cure diabetes in monkeys using this procedure; they hope to begin conducting human trials in the next few years.

READ IT

HERE FIRST

Diabetes on the run

QUIZ

health

000

■ PREVENTION JUNE 2008 BRIAN HA GIW ARA/ JUPITERIMA GES

Age-related vision loss affects about 1 in 28 individuals over age 40. Find out if you’re doing all you can to have healthy eyes for life.

1. FALSE. Though spinach is a vision booster, you need a variety of veggies: a high intake of zinc, vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene (in carrots, broccoli, and spinach) was associated with a 35% reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Women in a Harvard study who ate Omega-3-rich tuna three times a week saw a drop in dry eye syndrome, which can lead to cornea scarring.

2. TRUE. Eyes may be tired and vision temporarily blurry after a long day at the com-puter, but the main cause is not blinking enough. The resulting loss of moisture can cause burning and itchi-ness. Eyedrops can help.

3. FALSE. Not all exams include pupil dilation and tonometry, the two most common ways to check for glaucoma. The disease can cause limited peripheral vision and—if not treat-ed—blindness, so make

sure these procedures are included in your next exam.

4. FALSE. Choose shades labelled with how much protection they offer; a good pair will fi lter 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB, which can burn corneas, possibly causing cataracts.

5. TRUE. Researchers aren’t sure why, but foods that make blood sugar spike quickly, like white bread and sugary snacks, may contribute to the development of AMD.

ANSWERS

Vision Quest

Spinach is the best food for your eyes. [T/F]

Staring at a computer screen all day doesn’t damage your sight. [T/F] Eye doctors always include a glaucoma test as part of a routine eye exam. [T/F]

Sunglasses labelled blocks harmful

UV ensure full coverage. [T/F]

Sugary foods make your eyes vulnerable to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). [T/F] TRUE OR FALSE?

1

2

3

4

5

22

24

Answer

Salt is basically salt, no matter how you shake it, because it all contains the same amount of sodium by

volume. Current guidelines advise that adults

get less than 2300 mg—that’s about 1 teaspoon—a day, but most people eat far more than that. (Processed foods account for most of the sodium

con-sumed.) Because low-salt diets

help prevent and treat high blood pres-sure, I recom-mend keeping

your sodium intake in check. You can get used to using less salt by seasoning your meals with herbs and spices instead.

Personally, I prefer sea salt, which comes from evaporated seawater. Unlike commercial salts, sea salt does not contain aluminium compounds to prevent caking, and because it has a more robust fl avour, I end up using less. Depend-ing on its source, it also con-tains different trace minerals, which determine its colour: raw sea salt is often gray-ish white, though sometimes pink or orange. Some cooks favour coarse-grained kosher salt, often used to cure meat because of its texture. Look for brands that are free of additives.

uestion

ARE SOME SALTS

HEALTH-IER THAN OTHERS? SHOULD I USE

SEA SALT, OR ANOTHER VARIETY?

Q

ANDREW WEIL, MD, is a pioneer in the field of holistic health and founder and director of the Programme in Integrative Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Arizona. He received his medical training at Harvard University. PHO TOGRAPHED B Y K A NA OK AD A; F OOD S TYLING B Y S TEPHANA BO TT OM; PROP S TYLING B Y MARINA MAL CHIN

ASK DR WEIL

health

JUNE 2008

000

■ PREVENTION

ASK DR WEIL

health

JUNE 2008 PREVENTION ■

000

Question

I’M TRYING TO WEAN MYSELF OFF

HORMONE THERAPY. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY?

Answer

If you’re like most women, the troubling fi ndings of the large Women’s Health Initiative study in 2002 made you think twice about using hormone therapy (HT) over the long term. Those results, which linked HT to a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer, caused many women to discontinue their use of these prescription drugs. I think stopping HT is a healthy and reasonable move for many women.

According to research, it doesn’t matter whether you quit HT rightaway or taper off gradually: menopausal symp-toms occur just as often in both cases. That said, I recom-mend that you fi rst talk with your doctor about your desire to stop taking HT, as she may have more specifi c advice. If you experience vaginal dry-ness, ask your doctor about using a local estrogen such as a vaginal ring. Over-the-coun-ter gels and lubricants can also ease dryness.

Because HT does lower the risk of fractures, protect your bones by getting regular exer-cise—in particular,

weight-bearing activity, such as brisk walking, as well as strength-training. And be sure you’re getting enough vitamin D daily—at least 1000 IU of the D3 form taken with a meal containing fat. As for calcium, I recommend 500 to 700 mg a day from supplements to get 1200 mg a day from food and supplements combined. PHO TO GRAPHED B Y D A VID MARTINEZ HT DOES LOWER THE RISK OF FRACTURES, PROTECT YOUR BONES BY GET-TING REGULAR EXERCISE

25

It’s blazing hot, but you just can’t avoid stepping out. Here’s how to

protect yourself from a heatstroke

■ BY DEBARATI BHATTACHARYA

BEAT THE HEAT

JUNE 2008 Come summer, and the heat gets

unbearable. You may not want to go out in the scorching summer sun but you cannot avoid stepping out sometimes. This is when you may catch the ‘heat’. Here’s a ready reckoner to fi ght a heatstroke.

How a heatstroke is caused

A heatstroke occurs when the body is exposed to very high temperatures and it is unable to dissipate the heat through

circulatory changes and sweating. This is when the body’s thermostat collapses, there is overheating and a risk of heat-related illnesses develop.

An exposure to the midday summer sun, with its ultraviolet radiation, can signifi cantly retard the skin’s ability to shed excess heat. Out of the many adverse consequences of heat, hyper-thermia is the most dangerous. It is an abnormally high body temperature (104 degrees F) that can cause pain-ful muscle cramps and may quickly progress from nausea, fatigue, and headache of heat exhaustion to the disorientation and loss of consciousness that marks heatstroke.

How to avoid it

■POUR PLENTY If you are unable

to stay indoors during a heat wave, be sure to drink plenty of fl uids, preferably water

and fruit juices. Avoid alco-holic beverages or caffeinated

drinks like iced tea or colas. They have a diuretic effect, causing further fl uid loss. ■ DRESS LIGHTLY Clothing

should be loose fi tting, light coloured, and limited to a sin-gle layer. Look for fabrics that draw sweat away from the skin and allow it to evaporate. ■ WATCH THE WEATHER Try to

limit your most intense

activ-health

PHO

TO

ity to before noon and after 4 pm, especially on humid days. Hot, heavy air makes it harder to sweat.

■ ACCLIMATISE SLOWLY Do not go

out into the sun suddenly from a cool or air-conditioned room, or do the opposite. Learn to acclimatise slowly. When out in the sun, make sure you use an umbrella or a hat, preferably one that shades the neck and is also well ventilated.

■ KEEP YOURSELF COOL Try dousing your

head and neck with cold water which will help if it is hot and dry. Use a traditional hand-held fan to keep yourself cool.

How to treat it

It is important for the person to be treated immediately. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two less-severe forms of hyperthermia, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.

First Aid

■ Get the person indoors.

■ Remove clothing and gently apply

cold water to the skin followed by fan-ning to bring down the temperature. ■ Apply ice packs to the groin and armpits.

■ Make the person lie down in a cool place with feet slightly

elevated. PREVENTION ■

000

JUNE 2008 TO P PHO TO (L T O R) : ROD ALE IMA GES; PHO

TODISC, GETTY IMA

GES/ A SSIGN. SER VICES BO TT OM PHO TO (L T O

R): EYEWIRE, GETTY IMA

GES/ A SSIGN. SER VICES; ROD ALE IMA GES MEDICAL RX

“In a case of heatstroke, the person should be immediately hospitalised and unclothed. He should be wrapped in special cold blankets that lower the body temperature. Techniques like cold immersion and cold sponging should be used. And the room temperature should be below 20 degrees Celsius. The doctor can then start medication to bring down the fever and rehydrate and provide relief to the patient.” — Dr Sushum Sharma, Senior Consultant & Head of Preventive Care, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi

Home Cures

DRINKS Have cucumber and water melon juice to cool off. Coco-nut water, buttermilk and aam panna are also good and will help you recover fast.

PACKS Apply cold mud packs to the eyes and abdomen twice a day.

MASSAGES Massage the body with cooling oils. Take a cold shower after the massage.

AROMATHERAPY Use essential oils to calm the mind and activate the body’s self-healing pow-ers. Lavender provides relief to pain and irritation from sunburn.

000

■ PREVENTION

A WORKING WOMAN’S HEALTH DIARY

health

JUNE 2008 She is one of India’s richest

business-women. Responsible for putting India on the world’s biotechnology map, Kiran started Biocon in a garage with a capital of just Rs 10,000. From the fi rst research job of extracting enzymes from papaya to the integrated biophar-maceutical company it is today, she has, in a span of thirty years, turned Biocon into a great success story.

A Zoology honours graduate from Bangalore University, Shaw went on to become a Master Brewer at the Bal-larat University, Australia. A few years later, she founded Biocon. This was at a time when biotechnology was as rare as were women entrepreneurs. The

rest is history.

In 1998, she tied the knot with John Shaw, an Indophile from Scotland. John resigned from his job as managing direc-tor Madura Coats, the same year to join Kiran at Biocon and became its director for international business and the vice-chairman of the board.

With major plans for Biocon’s expan-sion underway, Kiran now is busier than ever before. But that doesn’t mean that health and fi tness take a back seat. On the contrary, she says. “Because I keep so busy, I have to make sure that I stay fi t and healthy.” And how does she manage that? “It’s all a matter of strik-ing the right balance,” she says.

My good health

mantra

My diet decoded

My fitness funda

Kiran Majumdar Shaw, chairman and managing director, Biocon

Limited, shares her health mantra with Rima J Pundir

‘I STRIVE TO STRIKE A BALANCE’

My stress busters

How I find my zen

My health concern

DEEP AK G P A W A R, BUSINES S T O D A Y

28

health

JUNE 2008 PREVENTION ■

000

EXECUTIVE HEALTH

My good health

My good health

mantra

mantra

Health fi gures high on my list of priorities. It’s not just for the sake of looks, but also to keep up my energy levels. I try to be as regular as possible with my workout and diet when I’m in Bangalore. But when I’m travel-ling, it’s impossible to take time out to exercise—most of my meetings are scheduled for early morning. Even my diet goes for a toss then. One can’t be too fussy about food when one’s travelling. But when I’m home, I try to to stick to my routine. I also believe that to be fi t and healthy, one needs to sleep well. I may not be able to stick to a healthy 8 hours every day, but I try and make up for it on weekends.

My diet decoded

My diet decoded

I’m not a breakfast person; I keep it light—a fruit and a bit of cereal, that’s all. Lunch again is generally meagre—a soup and some salad to fi ll me up. I don’t snack much in the evenings. Dinner consists of a salad, meat and some carbs. I try to be vege-tarian for at least two days in a week.

My fitness funda

My fitness funda

I’m a complete water baby. My daily workouts consist of 30 minutes of swimming. I try and do a little yoga as well, and a few minutes of intensive cardio on the treadmill. Thirty to forty minutes is the maximum I can afford on weekdays. On weekends, I’m able to devote more time—up to an hour.

My stress busters

My stress busters

A relaxed, lazy, leisurely Sunday when I do things at my own pace. I laze in bed, go for a relaxed swim, do some gardening, play with my dogs, and chat with my husband. Some-times I go for a round of golf. The relaxed pace on weekends helps me recharge my battery and prepare myself for the week ahead.

How I find my zen

How I find my zen

My Sundays are sacrosanct. It is strictly for unwinding. This is the day when I do my shopping, and just sit around. Of course, there can be an odd Sunday when one has to work, but I don’t let it become a routine. Sundays are meant to be spent with the family. It’s personal time, and should be kept that way. We need to be as disciplined about it as about maintaining offi ce timings on weekdays.

My health concern

My health concern

In today’s busy world, people are becoming increasingly prone to lifestyle diseases. A hectic work schedule leaves little time for exercise. Coupled with an unhealthy diet, we move from being not-so-fi t to fat, pretty fast. And then come the plethora of health problems, from joint pain to heart problems and diabetes. I think we all need to make a promise to ourselves that even if we can’t be slim, let’s not allow ourselves to be fat.

PREVENTION ■

000

JUNE 2008

There’s no way to say this politely: high temperatures and high humidity are bad news for the skin. Pimples, pigmentation, dullness of the skin, tanning, and dry hair are some effects we witness every summer. Docs tell us to stay away from the direct sun and drink plenty of fl uids through the day to stay hydrated. And of course, always apply sunscreen when stepping out. In addition, you can try products customised to protect you from the summer heat. Turn the page to pick your options:

Your summer beauty satchel

A host of new

products

promise you a

safer summer

beauty

TO 30 SPF IS BEST SUITED FOR THE INDIAN SKIN TYPE

15

PHO TO DISC >>

31

JUNE 2008

beauty

NEWS+TRENDS

contd. from previous page

Enriched with jojoba oil, this anti-ageing product is ideal for wet heat as it is easily absorbed by the skin, without leaving it oily. People with oily or

combination skin tones will like this product. Available at retail stores; price Rs 80.

FEM BOTANICA ANTI-WRINKLE AND SKIN FIRMING CREAM

A 2-in-1 product that is designed to leave you with a lighter and healthier skin. It

contains extracts of fenu-greek, balm mint,

marjo-ram and anise. Fenugreek protects from UV rays; mint

has a cooling effect and marjoram fights free radical

damage. Available at select retail stores; price Rs 345.

LOTUS HERBALS DUALGLOW LIGHTENING SERUM AND SUNBLOCK (SPF 30)

A new oil-free range that will keep you cool with ingredients such as menthol. The anti-oxidant vitamins in it will keep your skin healthy. Pick from: foam wash, cream wash, pore-mini-mising toner. Available at retail stores; price

Rs 195-225.

You need not step out in the scorching sun to get a nice tan. Try this new non-comodog-enic product to get a luminous, sun-kissed look. Available at Maybelline New York counters; price Rs 175.

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK’S DREAM MOUSSE BRONZER

Nothing cools the skin like rose water. Spray it on to your face directly. The rose water and Rooh Gulab in it cleanse, moisturise and refresh the skin; suit-able for all skin types. Available at retail stores; price Rs 65.

This range can help you fight acne and pimples.

Use Clearasil Ultra cream along with

face wash and soap to clear up

your skin. The products have an

anti-bacte-rial formulation. Available at

drug and retail stores;

price Rs 50.

REVLON PURE SKINCARE

<<

DABUR GULABARI PREMIUM ROSE TOUCH FACE FRESHENER

CLEARASIL ULTRA

SUPPLIES FOR MEN

Grooming products that will leave the man in your life feeling

fresh and pampered

■ BY SHOBITA DHAR ■ PHOTOGRAPHED BY RITESH SHARMA

beauty

EDITOR’S PICKS

1. Tommy Hilfiger Cologne Spray

Apple, citrus and mint aromas come together in this fruity fragrance, perfect for daytime use. At select stores, Rs 2600

1

4

2

3

5

PRODUCTS COURTESY KUNCHALS AND DAMINI, M-BLK MARKET, GK I, DELHI; PROPS COURTESY THE PLAY CLAN AND MODERN ART SCALE MODEL COLLECTIBLES, SELECT CITY WALK MALL, SAKET, DELHI

SOURCING AND S

TYLING: SMRITI MUKHER

JI

6

7

5. FCUK Sculpting Hair Gel

Gift it to your son on his graduation day. This dermatologically-tested product adds texture and definition to the hair. At select stores, Rs 750

6. L’Occitane Cade Youth Concentrate

Has antiseptic and exfoliating properties. Use it to firm up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrin-kles. At select stores, Rs 2650

7. The Body Shop for Men Deo Stick

Men have 2.6 million sweat glands. A perfect gift for an outdoors guy. A refreshing blend of patchouli, rosemary and clove essential oils. At The Body Shop stores, Rs 650

2. Clinique Skin Supplies for Men Face Scrub

Exfoliates, removes excess oil and reduces ingrown hair. At Clinique stores, Rs 995

3. Nivea For Men Multiwhite Whitening Facial Foam

Evens out the skin tone; Vitamin E in it moisturises the skin. At retail stores, Rs 235

4. L’Oreal Paris Men Expert Skin Caring Shave Gel

An alcohol-free product, it prevents irritation of the skin. At retail stores, Rs 475

Not smelling nice is perhaps the most pronounced beauty problem in summer. High temperatures leave us sweaty and struggling with body odour. However, you will be surprised to know that sweat on its own does not have any odour. So what is the source of this stink? The healthy bacteria present on our body emanate an odour. There’s a spurt in their growth in the presence of sweat, hence body odour.

What causes BO?

BO differs from person to person. An individual’s BO is dependent on multiple factors such as gender, genetics, health, diet and medication. Areas typically associated with body odour are under-arms, feet, anus, pubic hair and skin in general. Our body produces 2 kinds of sweat—eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine helps to regulate the body tempera-ture and is found all over the body. Apocrine—found in the underarm and groin area—is the real culprit. The odour results when apocrine reacts chemi-cally with the skin bacteria. Unpleasant body odour can affect a person’s social life. This perhaps explains the thriv-ing market for deodorants/body sprays/ antiperspirants.

Ways to reduce BO

Unfortunately, you cannot do much about the bacteria on your skin; all the scrubbing and washing would be able to get rid of only a fraction of the

bacte-ria, that too, for a short while. And you cannot stop yourself from sweating altogether. So what do you do? Read on for solutions.

■ Avoid too much tea and coffee. Caffeine may cause continuous sweating.

■ Shower regularly; twice a day, if possi-ble. It is very important that you bathe after working out or playing a sport.

■ Change socks and undergarments

daily. Cotton and linen clothes are more

beauty

SOLUTIONS

■BY DR APRATIM GOEL

000

■ PREVENTION

MAINTAIN GOOD PERSONAL HYGIENE AND STAY WELL-HYDRATED TO PREVENT BO

SMELL WONDERFUL!

Ways to fight body odour through the sweaty summer months

BANANA

ST

OCK L

TD

absorbent and are able to soak in sweat better than other fabrics.

■ Some people have strong body odour that is resistant to deodorants and perfumes. Others have sensitive skin that reacts to deodorants. Such people should use an antibacterial soap. Talcum powder also helps to absorb the sweat and gives a feeling of freshness.

■ Reduce the consumption of foods

such as hot peppers, garlic, onions and certain spices. These can also cause BO.

■ Drink plenty of water and fresh vege-table juices. They hydrate the body and reduce sweating.

Deos Vs. Antiperspirants

The other way—and it is the popular too—to counter BO is to use products. There are 3 types of products availa-ble: antiperspirants, deodorants and perfumes. These are available in a vari-ety of forms but sprays and roll-ons are the most popular. Deodorants are not a permanent solution. They can—at best— mask body odour. But antiperspirants

can reduce sweating.

Are deos safe to use?

Research published in 2004 in the

Jour-nal of Applied Toxicology raised concerns

about a probable link between use of deodorants/antiperspirants and breast cancer. Researchers found high levels of aluminium (found in deos and anti-perspirants) in breast tissue taken from women who had undergone mastecto-mies. However, the scientifi c community at large concurs that there is no conclu-sive evidence to prove that the alumin-ium present in the breast tissue came

from deodorants, and that it resulted in cancer. Aluminium is naturally found in water, food, pharmaceuticals and many other consumer products. If you want to play safe, use natural products or try some home remedies mentioned below.

Home cures to reduce BO

■ Apply cider vinegar, or baking soda

mixed with some lemon juice in the underarms.

■ Mix some alum in a mug of water, splash it in the underarms.

■ Take 500 mg of wheatgrass with water on an empty stomach daily.

■ Add a few drops of rose water/any essential oil in bathing water.

For extreme and resistant cases: prepare a mixture of 1 tsp chandan powder, ½ tsp haldi powder, 2 tsp kachur sugandhi (aromatic ginger), 1 tsp khus powder in rose water. Apply this paste in the armpits, under the breasts and in the groin area. After 20 minutes, scrub and wash with water.

Try these easy tips and at-home solu-tions for a BO-free summer.

PREVENTION ■

000

Dr Apratim Goel is a Mumbai-based dermatologist.

PHO TO AL TO , O’CARROLL, P A TRICK JUNE 2008

ROLL-ONS AND SPRAYS ARE POPULAR FORMS OF DEODORANTS

GIVE ME RED

beauty

VIDYA TIKARI

is a well-known make-up artist. She runs a beauty studio in South Delhi where she offers courses in professional and personal make-up. Write to her at Vidya.t@ preventionindia.com

REAL-LIFE BEAUTY

Don’t be afraid of red lipstick now or ever. Follow these

tricks and look glam

000

■ PREVENTION

The colour red has been referred to as the ‘power colour’ for women. It adds glamour and sexiness. This dominant colour demands attention and has a powerful presence. Wear a good red lipstick and see how you make heads turn. And yet, not many women wear it because they think it won’t ‘suit’ them. Let me tell you, it suits everyone as long as it is worn the right way.

Summer

and

red?

Why not. Red can beautifully complement light and pastel colours that we like to wear in summer. If it suits your skin tone, wear a red lipstick to jazz up any outfi t that you may be wearing. Just ensure that the rest of the make-up is not loud and competing with red. Find out the ‘right way’ right away.

Match the red to your

skin tone

■ Dark complexion—berry

and burgundy reds look fabulous on a dark tone.

Mypicks Fresh Moroccon by MAC and 104 Red Lust by Lancôme Paris. YOU CAN PAINT YOUR NAILS RED ALONG WITH YOUR LIPS. THE TRICK IS, TOP UP THE LIP COLOUR WITH A BROWN OR BRONZE LIPSTICK

■ Wheatish complexion— maroon, or dull-reds are best suited for warm skin tones (that have a yellow undertone).

My picksMulled Wine by Revlon.

■ Fair complexion—bright

reds look beautiful on a pale skin tone. It is set off bril-liantly by dark hair.

My picks Revlon Diva, Fire by Chanel.

■ Warm complexion—a fair

complexion with a yellow undertone is classifi ed as warm. Rich brick reds and neon-orange reds will look fl attering.

Mypicks Scarlet Simmer by Maybelline New York.

IT S TOCK INTERNA TIONAL L TD ., JUNE 2008

36

WHEN LIP COLOUR IS STRONG, KEEP THE COLOUR ON YOUR EYES SUBTLE. PAIR YOUR RED LIPSTICK WITH A NEUTRAL EYE AREA BOBBI BROWN PREVENTION, (US) make-up expert adds:

PREVENTION ■

000

JUNE 2008

DIGIT

AL VISION CD

The right way

to apply

■ Use a lip primer. Apply powder or a dash of foundation over this. This will keep the colour strong.

■ For a bold look, make sure you use a red lip liner. Start off from the bow of your lips and connect it to the ends. To make the colour even stronger, fi ll in the lip with the liner. Women with thin lips should avoid using liner or dark red as they will appear even thinner.

■ Now, use the lip colour of your choice. The application will come out smoother if you use a lip brush.

■ Your lips are the focus of your chic look so ensure that you create a perfect outline. If there’s smudging, clean it with a cotton bud, then touch up with some concealer. Make sure there are no lipstick stains on your teeth. Remove the excess colour by putting your index fi nger in your mouth, purse your lips around it, then slowly pull it out.

Accessorising red

■ Use a peach blusher when

wearing a red lip colour. Pink blushers don’t gel well with red lipsticks.

■ Keep the eye make-up

simple with just a hint

RED IS A CLASSIC COLOUR AND CAN NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE of colour. Use a very thin

liner and, of course, lots of mascara for ‘oomph’.

■ Do not match a red

lipstick with a red outfi t during the day time. You can carry it off better at night.

■ You can paint your nails red along with your lips. The trick is, top up the lip colour with a brown or bronze lipstick.

Too shy for

red?

Many women fi nd this colour too ‘loud’ for their taste.

Here’s what they should do. Just apply a red lipstick on your lips roughly and then wipe it off leaving just the stain of red. Then dab on some gloss. This also looks trendy. Pair this up with a smoky look for the eyes. The other option is if you fi nd a particular red too loud for your taste, mute it by topping it with a bit of bronze lipstick.

Red is a classic colour and can never go out of style. Make-up trends may change every season but a red lipstick is always ‘in’. So make the colour work for a glamorous you.

MOST MOISTURISERS CONTAIN LIPOSOMES THAT HELP IN DEEPER PENETRATION OF MOISTURE IN THE SKIN

Old age used to be hard for most people until the other day. No longer so: wrinkles and crow’s feet are things you can fi x easily now. With the right lifestyle and prod-ucts and a few precautions, you can reduce and delay their advancement. Also, there are a range of products avail-able to prevent and reduce the signs of ageing. However, remember that exercise and a reasonably balanced diet are equally important in mini-mising the effects of ageing. Moisturisers

Moisture helps the skin look young and stay supple. Mois-turisers protect your skin’s top layer by retaining water and reducing dryness on the surface. However, with advancing years, the skin loses its capacity to retain water. The daily application of a mois-turiser can be of great help to ageing women. There are various brands of moisturis-ers available, each with a variety of ingredients. Daytime moisturisers are lighter creams or lotions that quickly soak

into the skin. Also, nowa-days, daytime moisturisers have the added benefi t of an in-built SPF that provides protection from sun damage. The best wrinkle-deterring moisturiser ingredient is still a strong sunscreen.

You can try products such as L’Oreal, Aviance, Avon and Vichy. Yuva Clinics in Mumbai too, have products such as Ultrarejuv, Renew or Radiant lotions.

So far, no one has manag-ed to hit upon the fountain of youth. But, if you’re will-ing to settle for slightly less than a miracle, there are moisturisers formulated with AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids). These are derived from natural substances such as fruit, sugarcane and milk.

REKHA SHETH

is a leading cosmetic dermatologist. She is founder-president, Cosmetology Society (India) and also runs Yuva, a successful chain of skin clinics. Write to her at

rekha.s@

preventionindia.com

TOP ANTI-AGEING PRODUCTS

Use them regularly to keep age at bay

beauty

ANTI-AGEING ARSENAL

000

■ PREVENTION

EXERCISE AND A BALANCED DIET ALSO KEEP YOU LOOKING YOUNG IT S TOCK INTERNA TIONAL L TD .

38

PREVENTION ■

000

JUNE 2008 A GOOD ANTI-WRINKLE CREAM SPREADS EVENLY OVER THE SKIN. FOR BEST RESULTS, APPLY IT BEFORE GOING TO BED SO THAT IT STAYS ON FOR AT LEAST EIGHT HOURS

AHAs appear to smooth and brighten skin by increasing cell turnover and by slough-ing off dead cells. However, overuse of AHAs can result in redness and itching.

Anti-wrinkle creams Most people appear to benefi t from them. A good anti-wrin-kle cream spreads easily and evenly over the skin. For best results, apply it before going to bed so that it stays on for at least eight hours.

Many anti-wrinkle creams also have vitamins. Vitamin A and its derivatives help unclog pores and reduce sun damage. Vitamin C has been shown to prevent wrinkles. Vitamin E enhances the effect of Vita-min C. Some good brands to try would include Olay Total Effects, Pond’s Age Miracle, L’ Oreal and Vichy Lift Active. You could use medicated creams after getting a prescrip-tion from a dermat: Revize, Isolift and B-Lift.

De-pigmentation creams

Darkening of the skin is a common problem related to ageing. De-pigmentation can vary from a mild tan to a patchy, brownish discoloura-tion, or a greyish-black discol-ouration. The causes differ, but the most common cause is

overexposure to the sun. It could also be triggered off by unsuitable cosmetics and soaps. Whitening creams manu-factured by reputed fi rms could be used to deal with this problem. You could try, Vichy Bi-white

Advanced, L’Oreal White Perfect creams and Garnier Light cream. Some medi-cated brands: Depiderm, Skin Doctors’ White Cream, Deme-lan. These help to decrease the skin’s melanin load. Skin-firming creams These products reduce the appearance of fi ne lines and wrinkles by fi rming and tight-ening the skin inside out.

Skin-fi rming creams mostly contain vitamins and alpha-hydroxy acids. Medicated brands would contain newer age-fi ghting ingredients, such as idebenone and retinol. They fi rm up the skin’s top layer, and also stimulate the production of collagen (protein that keeps skin elastic). Try creams by L’Oreal and Oil of Olay. Medi-cated brands: Ibnone, Bi Lift and Isolift Visage.

IMA GE SOURCE USE AN ANTI-WRINKLE CREAM WITH VITAMINS IN IT

39

JUNE 2008

000

■ PREVENTION

beauty

S

UMMER

UN

Sample these cooling beauty treatments to keep

your skin and hair hydrated and healthy through

the hot summer months

■ BY PRIYANKA BHATTACHARYA

As anyone who’s ever had a sunburn or pimple problems can attest, summer can be hard on the skin. It’s warm to touch, it feels taut and defi nitely dehy-drated. The pores are overactive and oozing oil. Sweat, grime, grease and dehydration all work together to cre-ate a mess of your skin and hair. Luck-ily, most of the summer skin damage is easy to remedy. Here are fast fi xes and summer skincare tips that will see you through June, July, August and most of September.

SOAK UP MOISTURE

First things fi rst, before you start taking care of your skin and hair from the out-side, make them strong from the inside. Focus on hydration. The more water and other mineral and vitamin-enriched fl uids you drink, the more your skin and hair will be able to deal with heat and sweat’s torture. You can drink water or even sip cold herb or spice teas for therapeutic ben-efi t. Try mint, watermelon, cucumber and pomegranate juices to refresh yourself internally. Milk, too, has a cooling effect on the body.

COOLING PRODUCTS

The summer sun ravages the skin and dis-turbs its natural pH balance. So you fi nd yourself oozing oil on one part of your face and peeling or patchy skin on the other. Need of the hour: customised skin care. Make sure your skin feels cool from

the inside, and the outside is protected with products that have a cooling effect. Switch to moisturising gels and deep cleansing mud masks to restore balance. Says Dr Raj Parikh, consultant derma-tologist with Vichy Laboratoires, “In summer, it is better to use lightweight, water-based products like gels, rather than those with a high oil content.”

Other active ingredients that have a soothing effect on sun-ravaged skin include botanical extracts like green tea, white tea, peppermint, cucumber, aloe and seaweed. These ingredients keep your skin cool and prevent redness and infl ammation. Try these: Lakme Pure Defense Moisturising Day Lotion, Rs 395; Aroma Magic Cucumber Sun-screen, SPF 30, Rs 150; H2O+ Green Tea Antioxidant Serum, Rs 1,395; VLCC Sunscreen Gel Rs 139.

Another way to soothe skin that’s been exposed to the hot sun is a cold facial spray. It will not only wash off grime but also ban-ish redness and keep your make-up intact. You can stash them in your handbag for freshening up instantly. Citrus, mint and rose water feel especially refreshing, and lavender works best on oily or acne-prone skin (it’s a natu-ral antibacterial). Try these: Dabur Gulabari Rose Touch Face Freshener, Rs 65; Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray

PREVENTION ■

000

JUNE 2008

beauty

OPENING IMA GE B Y BANANA ST OCK L TD

41

TO P PHO TO: B Y ANSHUMAN SEN; BO TT OM IMA GE: BANANA ST OCK L TD JUNE 2008

000

■ PREVENTION

beauty

Thirsty Skin Relief, Rs 1,410; Vichy Thermal Spa Water, Rs 560; Forest Essentials Rehy-drating Facial Tonic Mist Cucum-ber & Mint, Rs 495.

AT-HOME

TREATMENTS

■ Once you are back from the sun, you can wipe your skin with cold milk to reduce skin irritation and redness.

■ According to Suparna Trikha, ayurvedic beauty therapy expert: “When watermelons are in season, freeze the peels and rub them all over the skin whenever you come back indoors. It will hydrate and tone the skin. If you get dry peeling skin, take 1 tsp of milk powder,

1 tsp sandalwood powder and massage gently on the skin. Wash off for a smooth and nourished complex-ion. If you get heat rash on your face, keep a bowl of fuller’s earth (Multani mitti) soaked in rose water and add 1 tsp of powdered camphor. Wash your face with this each time you are exposed to the outdoors.

■ Cool off tired, puffy eyes with chilled eye pads—easily available at drug stores such as 98.4 and Fortis Health World. Or, try from products such as Aroma Magic Eye Gel, Rs 90; H2O + Eye Oasis Moisture Replenishing Treatment, Rs 900; The Body Shop Elderfl ower Cooling Eye Gel, Rs 980. Refrigerate them after opening.

BODY RELIEF

Your body, too, needs to stay cool.

Go for a gentle exfoliation routine

Use a body wash with exfoliating beads (or, preferably a gel wash) to slough off dead skin. Use a soft loofah to lather up and wash off the soap. Start your bath, or shower routine, with dry body brush-ing usbrush-ing long and circular strokes to stimulate blood circulation and remove toxins from the body. Try these: Dove Cool Moisture Beauty Bar or Body Wash (Rs 45 and Rs 125 each) with cucumber and green tea; VLCC Shower Gel Sen-sual, Rs 139, with mint aloe vera. Once you have washed up, slather your body with a cooling gel or light lotion that does double duty: hydrating and revi-talising skin. Try Vaseline Body Lotion With Cucumber & Aloe, Rs 90.

42