Health

Do protein shakes really stay in the body for three years? Here’s busting a myth

Apr 16, 2025 | 956 Views

Recently, I came across an old videograb of actor Ayushman Khurrana telling his interviewer that protein shakes take three years to digest. For some reason, it went viral again. Let’s take a scientific dive into the importance of protein, the role of whey, and why this claim doesn’t hold up. Our body requires 20 amino acids to function optimally. Nine of these are ‘essential’ amino acids that must be obtained from food since our body cannot make them. When our body has access to the essential ones, it can produce the remaining 11, known as ‘non-essential’ amino acids. Our minimum daily protein requirement is 0.8-1 g/kg of body weight. However, optimal levels start from 1.2 g/kg of body weight. Historically, our diets were rich in unrefined and local protein sources. With refined and fast foods, our diets are rich in carbohydrates and fats, leading to protein deficiency. A 2020 study by the Observer Research Foundation identified a concerning decline in per capita protein consumption of four per cent in urban and 11 per cent in rural India. According to the Protein Consumption in Diet of Adult Indians (PRODIGY) survey, around 91 per cent of vegetarians and 85 per cent of non-vegetarian Indians fail to consume sufficient protein daily in their diets.

Hope for brain stroke patients: How a stent can clear blood clots in 24 hours

Apr 12, 2025 | 1042 Views

For sometime now, brain stroke patients in the West could avert brain damage as neurosurgeons used a sophisticated retriever stent to clear the blood clot from blocked arteries and restore blood flow within 24 hours. However, this device is out of reach for most Indians despite brain strokes increasing among them. That’s all set to change with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, now conducting a trial with an upgraded device that’s equipped to remove all kinds of blood clots, is better at opening blocked arteries and may cost one-fourth the original price.1 The clinical trial, GRASSROOT (Gravity Stent-Retriever System for Reperfusion of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Trial), is looking at the effectiveness and accessibility of a new generation of advanced stent-retriever devices that can be used in mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally invasive stroke surgery to clear artery blockage in the brain. According to Dr Shailesh Gaikwad, professor and head, Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Neuroradiology, Neurosciences Centre, AIIMS, and one of the investigators of the trial, “We are finding out how the device works on the Indian population. The new stent-retriever has been designed specifically to tackle the unique features of a stroke clot in the Indian population, given that our arteries are narrower.” The new device was first used on August 25. The patient is doing well.

Fungal Infection Warning: Protect Your Kidneys if You’re Diabetic

Apr 12, 2025 | 725 Views

Though uncommon in healthy individuals, kidney fungal infections can pose serious health risks when the immune system is compromised. People with diabetes, AIDS, cancer, or those recovering from severe illnesses are seen to have them more frequently. In diabetics, elevated blood sugar levels and compromised immunity foster a perfect environment for fungi to thrive. Following COVID-19, a marked rise in such infections was reported, as viral diseases can considerably compromise the immune system.Common symptoms include a burning sensation while urinating, frequent urination, flank pain, vomiting, and fever. In extreme cases, the skin on the sides of the body may harden and change color. It is crucial to detect the problem early; recovery usually follows treatment with antifungal drugs. Preventing complications can be achieved by maintaining hygiene, adhering to medical recommendations, and obtaining timely treatment.

Natural Remedy? This Spice Shows Potential Against Superbugs

Nov 30, -0001 | 932 Views

Superbugs, also known as antibiotic-resistant bacteria, are a major concern to public health because they have evolved to resist even the most potent drugs.  Researchers from Texas A&M have discovered a possible breakthrough with turmeric's key ingredient, curcumin.Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are weakened or eliminated by curcumin, which is provided as a bacterial food supply and activated by light.  By lowering bacterial resistance, this technique—known as photodynamic inactivation—restores the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics. Treatment for drug-resistant types of pneumonia and superbugs like MRSA is becoming more challenging.  However, a promising substitute to fight resistance is provided by the antibacterial qualities of curcumin in conjunction with light exposure.This novel strategy could be extremely important in the battle against antibiotic-resistant diseases by reducing bacterial variety and enhancing antibiotic efficacy.