Have you been searching for your bike or car keys often these days in your home? How would you feel if your son or daughter pointed out to you about your poor memory or forgetfulness?  You feel sad right!! Truth is that memory lapses can be frustrating and alarming also. Some persons might frequently forget things and this could be due to some underlying conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases etc. In the beginning itself, there is no need to opt for heavy medication but certain simple changes could be effective. Reasons for forgetfulness are Sleep deprivation or poor sleep: One of the most important reasons for forgetfulness is sleep deprivation and this reason is often overlooked. Our brain would not get enough time to consolidate memories without adequate sleep. Truth is that sleep deprivation can also lead to mood swings and this could affect memory retention further. Alcohol intake: It must be noted that drinking excess alcohol could impair short term memory even after the immediate effects have worn off. Not only excessive drinking would affect our liver but also our brain. Stress and anxiety: We could get mental fatigue due to constant stress. Brain function would get weakened and neural connections would get slowed down.  This would make it harder to recollect or recall details. Formation of new memories would get hindered and disruptions of recall of old memories. It must be noted that lack of physical activity would worsen these effects. Underactive thyroid: We could get poor memory or forgetfulness if we have an underactive thyroid. It is possible to do a simple thyroid test to know about the thyroid levels in us. By this, we could take   medication. Behavioural management recommendations to tackle forgetfulness: It is essential to keep all the important things like wallets, keys, mobile phones, spectacles etc in one particular place. Secondly, we must note down and down phone numbers, dates etc and not try to keep them in our memory. Thirdly, avoid multitasking at a time and rather try to concentrate on one particular thing.

What would begin as small non cancerous clumps of cells or polyp could develop into cancer over a period of time. We are now talking about the colon or colorectal cancer that would begin in the large intestine or rectum. There are several risk factors for colon cancer such as family history, age, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking intake of alcohol etc. Not only these, even consuming a diet that is low in fibre content plus intake of processed meats etc can also cause colon cancer in us. Foods to eat to avoid or lower the chances of colon cancer are Cruciferous vegetables intake: The sulforaphane present in the cruciferous vegetables would help us to avoid colon cancer. Intake of cruciferous vegetables would inhibit the cancer cell growth in us. Leafy green vegetables intake: By eating leafy green vegetables that are rich in fibres, folate, lutein and carotenoids etc, toxins would be flushed out plus inflammation in the colon would get lowered, Regular bowel movements would be present and by this colon cancer would be avoided. Beans & legumes intake: The beneficial gut bacteria in the gut would get nourished by intake of these foods having resistant starch and soluble fibres etc. The short chain fatty acids that are produced by this process would have anti-cancer properties in them. This would reduce the inflammation of the colon. Berries intake: Ellagic acid, anthocyanins and vitamin C are present in berries. Colon cells would be protected from oxidative stress by these. As a result, colon cancer can be avoided in us. Fatty fish intake: The inflammation in us would get lowered when we consume omega 3 fatty acids present in the fatty fishes. By decreasing the inflammatory response in the digestive tract, the risk of getting colon cancer could be avoided. Garlic intake: Carcinogens or cancer causing would get destroyed by liver enzymes that get activated by sulphur compounds present in garlic. Our gut health would be supported by the antibacterial properties and might lower the cancer causing substances formation in the colon. Turmeric intake: The cucurmin in turmeric would slow down the cancer cell growth and prevent the spread of tumour in us and that is due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of cucurmin. Yoghurt and probiotic foods intake: Inflammation would get controlled by intake of probiotic foods.  It is believed that regular intake of yoghurt would help us to maintain digestive balance. By this, we could avoid colon cancer in us.

Have you heard about a magical herb from the mint family called spearmint which when consumed would provide us with numerous benefits? Sounds unbelievable right!! This spearmint or mentha spicata is not only known for its refreshing aroma and mild flavour is used in culinary but it is known for its medicinal benefits too. It is superb to note that spearmint is commonly found in toothpastes, chewing gum etc. Previously it was mostly found in Asia and Europe. These days, it is seen growing all over the world. Numerous health benefits of spearmint are Eases digestive discomfort: For a long time, spearmint has been used to treat digestive issues such as nausea, bloating, indigestion and gas etc. It is believed that carvone present in spearmint would relax the digestive tract muscles. This would ease cramping and discomfort. Those patients with IBS or irritable bowel syndrome who consumed spearmint reported improvements in bloating and pain etc. Full of antioxidants: Our body would get protected from free radical damage by intake of spearmint containing many antioxidants. It is known that oxidative stress due to free radicals would lead to serious issues like cancers, heart diseases etc. Other antioxidants like rosmarinic acid, limonene, flavonoids etc in spearmint also do superbly in preventing oxidative stress in us. Supports hormonal balance in women: Hormones would get regulated in women (having hormonal issues like PCOD etc) due to spearmint. It is worth noting that drinking spearmint tea would increase female hormones like LH and FSH etc and by this ovulation as well as reproductive health would get better. Might reduce excess facial hairs in women: Presence of male hormones would lead to excess hairs on the face of a woman. This would make them feel sad and disappointed etc. It is true that drinking spearmint tea with androgenic properties would help women to overcome this excess facial hair issue. Boost memory and heap in brain function: It was brought to light by some research studies that intake of spearmint would support brain health in the older adults. The older adults showed superb memory power.  Lowers blood sugar levels: It is noteworthy that spearmint tea intake would lower blood sugar levels. This spearmint irea intake cannot be a substitute for medication in lowering the blood sugar levels but it could complement blood sugar management in the coming years. Lowers stress and anxiety in us: These days, stress and anxiety has become common and many of us have these issues and find it difficult. There are various reasons for these mental health issues in us. It is believed that intake of spearmint would improve our stress and anxiety in us. This would boost our sleep also. Reduces joint pain due to arthritis: Spearmint tea high in rosmarinic acid would reduce joint pain due to arthritis issues. The anti-inflammatory properties of spearmint play a role here Lowers blood pressure or BP: A compound carvone present in spearmint would relax the blood vessels in us. By this, our blood pressure or BP would get reduced.

Do you get upset while standing in front of the mirror due to acne on your chin, you are not alone!! It is worthy to note that when pores around the chin get blocked by excess oil, dead skin cells etc, then we could get chin acne. Many suffer from this chin acne and find it difficult. People of all ages can get this issue but mostly chin acne is witnessed in women. Chin acne can be caused due to several reasons. These are Hormonal imbalance: Hormonal fluctuation is a major reason for chin acne. Excess oil production in the skin would be stimulated by androgens or male hormones present in both men and women. This oil would clog the pores leading to acne. It is noteworthy that women would notice chin acne mostly during their pregnancy time or during menstrual cycle or due to the presence of conditions like PCOD etc. Stress: Stress can lead to many health issues in us. Chin acne can also be due to stress but not directly. Point is that stress would increase cortisol in us and this could lead to more oil production that would clog the pores. By this chin acne is possible. Dietary factors: Hormone levels would get influenced and inflammation would become more if we consume certain foods like refined sugars, dairy products etc. It must be noted that some people report clear skin after they have reduced their consumption of such kinds of foods. Poor skin habits etc: Chin acne can also be possible if we touch our face often or use the same facemasks again and again without washing etc. Use of helmets etc: Not many know that by constantly using helmets also we can get chin acne. Point is that friction and trapped sweat in the chin area could aggravate the skin. Underlying medical conditions: Underlying medical conditions such as PCOS or adrenal imbalance etc can also result in chin based acne. It is essential to meet a dermatologist or skin doctor if acne on the chin is severe. Managing chin acne: It is necessary to wash the face twice or thrice daily using gentle cleanser and this would remove oil and clogging of pores etc. Try to avoid sleeping with makeup on.  Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is important for managing acne on the chin.