Health-&-Fitness
COVID-19 Third Wave: Things We Need to Know
Coronavirus outbreaks have disrupted public life around the world. Further, the second wave of the corona has hit again this year, which is not gone yet. And the third wave has already started. Concerns have also been raised about just how terrible the third wave of Covid is going to be. The COVID-19 cases are rising all over the world; hence the third wave has approached us already. Even the vaccinated people are being affected. The highly contagious Indian Delta variant is mostly responsible for the third wave.
What is COVID-19 third wave?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned about the third wave. The world is already in the early stage of the third coronavirus wave amid the surge and spread of the delta variant. As the variant born in 2019 is continuously mutating in more transmissible variants, WHO shows concerns about the third wave. However, India is expected to face the worst condition of the third wave in the next few months, experts say. Previously, India experienced the worst condition in the second wave compared to the other countries in the world.
The reason behind the third wave is the new variant's quick mutation as well as the ineffectiveness of the vaccine. Vaccinated people are also affected by the new variant, but it is less deadly for the vaccinated person.
Read How to heal lungs naturally and improve breathing after recovering from COVID-19?
We are not following the COVID-19 health protocols, and we are gathering anywhere without maintaining the proper health guideline. As a result, the infection is rising upfront. When the rate of infection decreases and rises again significantly, a new wave is determined. And the COVID-19 cases are rising again all over the world; hence the third wave is detected.
Third-wave is risky for the children
During the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the youths were the most affected. Experts fear the third wave could be risky for children and teenagers. The Head of the Department of Wadia Hospital of Children in Mumbai, Dr. Sudha Rao, expressed her views on why the third wave of corona could be dangerous for children. She said experts around the world fear the third wave of the Coronavirua would infect more children. The first wave affected 1-2% of children, the second wave raised the contraction level to 4-6% percent, and the third wave is expected to affect about 12-15% of children. However, it will take more time to be sure about this estimate.
There are also plausible reasons why children and teenagers are at higher risk in the third wave. The most common and obvious reason is that people under the age of 18 are not being vaccinated. If the body is infected with corona and antibodies are made, then there is no need for vaccination. But there is no information about the percentage of antibodies in children. So in terms of immunology, it can be said that children are weak. In addition, newer strains of the coronavirus can infect more children. As well as opening schools and colleges, children are more likely to be infected with the virus.
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How to fight the third wave?
Since the research shows that the children are likely to get affected by the third wave, experts suggest taking the step for the children and teenagers. According to Dr. Sudha Rao, hospitals have covid care for adults, but from now on, we need to focus on pediatric care.
There is nothing to concern when older people are hospitalized with COVID. However, if someone is in an oxygen bed or ICU bed, it does not take 24 hours attendant. But if a child with COVID is in an oxygen bed or ICU, he/she will always want his parents by his/her side. Therefore, special steps are needed to be taken to ensure that parents are vaccinated. A huge percentage of people are yet to take vaccines, especially in third-world countries. Therefore, it is important to take equal care of children in pediatric care as well as the parents who have not been vaccinated. They also need to be monitored and have a physician in care.
Read COVID-19 Delta variant explained: Things to know about this Coronavirus strain
It is important to train health workers from now on to manage children's medicine, treat children with moderate illness, protect them from serious illness, and identify serious conditions.
Apart from this, several other steps should be taken to counter the third wave.
Sustained surveillance and sharing of data
Sustained surveillance, as well as the share of the data, is highly necessary as these can help in decision making. The sharing of data includes systematic testing, compilation, collection, and analysis of laboratory and clinical data. In this context, WHO Chief Scientist Sowmya Swaminathan indicated that countries need to "strengthen its surveillance and closely monitor key Covid indicators to reduce the impact of a possible third wave."
The proper observation and monitoring of the viral epidemiology, as well as the genetic diversity, will help to determine the evolving nature of the pandemic. This eventually helps the authorities to make the right decision on time.
Read Dengue vs. COVID-19: Symptoms, when & where to test, ways of prevention
Prepare a robust healthcare infrastructure
While the first world countries' strong healthcare structures are destroyed by the coronavirus, the third world countries are facing the worst. There is no alternative to building a solid healthcare structure. Although there is not enough time to improve the healthcare infrastructure in third-world countries, they can take some steps. They can work on increasing the COVID care centers with beds, ICUs, prompt accessibility of the medication, and increase the oxygen supply.
Post-COVID care rehabilitation
Many COVID-19 recovered patients face long-term residual effects both mentally and physically. The current healthcare structure in most of the countries doesn't offer any post-COVID care for the recovered individuals. And it is more needed for the third wave caused by the delta variant. So, there is a dire need to work on post-COVID care units and offer the service to these requirements comprehensively.
Last but not the least, a mass vaccination program is the only way to fight any upcoming variants as well as waves.
Read Liquid Medical Oxygen and Covid-19 Treatment: Things we need to know
How Long Will Your COVID-19 Coronavirus Vaccination Protection Last?
Mass vaccination programs have been launched around the world to control the Covid-19. As of August 28, 2021, 5.13 billion doses have been given globally, and 36.21 million doses are given each day. So, 33% of the world population got at least one dose of the Covid-19 coronavirus vaccine. It is often heard that many people are suffering from coronavirus even after taking two doses of the vaccine. However, it was hoped that the risk of Covid-19 would be greatly reduced after vaccination. Therefore, a new question was raised, how long the Covid-19 vaccine protection will last? Though there has not been any specific answer to this question, and research is still going to find that.
But we often see new variants of coronavirus being invented in different countries. Some of these variants spread the infection at a deadly rate, and the severity of the disease is also high. The recent outbreak of the delta variant is a prime example of this. The delta variant is now available in more than 130 countries. Countries around the world are worried about the increasing number of infections and deaths due to the new Covid-19 variants. In this situation, the question arises again, how effective are the current Covid-19 vaccines against the newer variants?
Read Coronavirus: How to get your smell and taste back after COVID-19?
Usually, vaccines give us complete protection, but the reality about the Covid-19 vaccine is, it can't provide complete protection, and Covid-19 can attack the vaccinated person too. But there may be some relief from the risk of too much damage.
How long does the Covid-19 Vaccine take to Build Immunity?
After vaccination, the human body takes some time to recognize the genetic components of the coronavirus and to make antibodies and T-cells. These then begin to block the virus from entering the body's cells or kill the infected cells. So, it takes at least two weeks or more for the vaccine to become fully effective.
How does the Covid-19 Vaccine Work in the Human Body?
The COVID-19 vaccine usually works on developing Immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without making us sick. Several types of vaccines work on providing protection in several ways, but commonly the vaccines provide the body with "memory" T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that will recall how to fight the virus in the future.
Read How to heal lungs naturally and improve breathing after recovering from COVID-19?
It normally takes a few weeks for the vaccinated body to make T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes after vaccination. Thus, a person may become infected with the Covid-19 virus just before or immediately after vaccination and later become ill because there was not enough time for the vaccine to fight against the virus.
After the vaccination, the immunity building process can raise symptoms such as fever. These symptoms are normal, and it is a sign of increased Immunity of the body.
Types of Covid-19 Vaccines
Currently, there are four main types of COVID-19 vaccines, mRNA vaccines, whole virus vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, and viral vector Covid-19 vaccines.
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mRNA vaccines are normally genetically engineered mRNA that provide instructions to your cells to make S protein available on the Covid-19 virus' surface. After our cells replicate the protein, they destroy the genetic material from the vaccine. Our body understands that the protein should not be there and should make T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes, which can make the vaccine to fight the virus in the future. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are examples of mRNA vaccines.
The whole virus vaccine includes Sinopharm and Sinovac, which work on weakening or deactivating the form of the pathogen that is responsible for the Covid-19. These types of vaccines use inactivated pathogens. So, they cannot replicate or infect the cells but can work on triggering the immune response. Therefore, a booster dose might be needed for complete safety.
Read 'India likely to have Covid shot for children by September'
The protein subunit vaccine has purified pathogen instead of the whole pathogen to trigger the immune response. Once vaccinated, our immune system realizes that proteins are not included in the body and begins to produce T-lymphocytes and antibodies. If we ever become infected in the future, memory cells will recognize and fight the virus. Novavax is an example of a protein subunit vaccine.
Viral vector Covid-19 vaccines put a new and modified version of the virus known as "the vector," which ultimately delivers genetic code for antigen. Once the viral vector enters into our cells, the genetic material instructs the cells to make a protein that causes the virus-19. Using these instructions, our cells replicate the protein.
Read Dengue vs. COVID-19: Symptoms, when & where to test, ways of prevention
Further, it induces our bodies to produce T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes, which will remind the body how to fight the virus if we become infected in the future. Oxford-AstraZeneca and Sputnik V are examples of viral vector vaccines.
Coronaviru Vaccine Efficiency
As you already know, several types of vaccines have been given to prevent coronavirus. However, how long the Immunity of any corona vaccine will last is still unclear.
According to a recent report, a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and modern vaccines is 80 percent effective, and the second dose is 90 percent effective. People who have been vaccinated have a lower risk of corona than others.
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People who have taken Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines will have Immunity for at least 6 months. It is 100% effective for CDC-listed sick people and 95.3% for FDA-listed patients. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is also known to be effective in South Africa. Also, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has an efficacy of up to 90 percent when given two doses.
Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines
Like all other medicines or vaccines, Covid-19 vaccines have some side effects. But, in most cases, the side effects are very mild, such as pain at the injection site, swelling, redness, weakness, muscle and joint pain, nausea, fever, fatigue, etc. However, no serious side effects have been reported so far. But, if there is any problem after the vaccination, you must go to the nearest hospital and seek doctor's advice.
Read What we know about Covid-19 booster shots
Coronavirus: How to get your smell and taste back after COVID-19?
One of the symptoms of coronavirus infection is loss of taste and smell. Losing taste and smell at the same is quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, after recovering from being infected with the deadly virus, it takes a long time to regain smell and taste. In many cases, the taste and smell do not return even after recovery from the corona. While other symptoms have subsided, this problem persists in many. As a result, many people are losing their normal amount of hunger. Many are also emotionally broken due to this.
But how will the taste and smell return? No effective cure has yet been found for the symptoms. But there are some domestic methods and foods that can bring back the smell and taste.
Read How to heal lungs naturally and improve breathing after recovering from COVID-19?
What is the reason for the loss of smell and taste in the corona?
Doctors say the smell and taste can be reduced not only by coronavirus but also by other respiratory infections. That feeling may return slowly after the infection has healed. But, after recovering from corona, it may take a week in some cases, a month in others, and more in some cases to regain the sense of taste and smell.
Even if the fever or cold is not very high, this feeling of taste and smell go away within five days of being infected. In medical science, its name is 'Anosmia.'
Coronavirus can attach itself to the nervous system very quickly. The virus easily travels through the nose and attaches itself to the small nerves. Various studies have shown that the cells that keep our sense of smell active are attacked by the Covid virus. After that, the cell remains busy, preventing other infections.
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As a result, they have to move away from their main job, and sensitive information about smell does not reach the brain. That's why the recovered person cannot differentiate the taste and smell of foods or something. It has also been seen that the person gets confused with one smell with another.
According to a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, 95% of patients regain their sense of smell within 6 months. In most patients, the coronavirus cannot permanently damage the olfactory neural circuits. Those who have stronger immunity can get back the sense of smell and taste quickly.
Read:What we know about Covid-19 booster shots
Getting your smell and taste back after Covid-19
Among all the Covid-19 symptoms, the sense of smell and taste take longer to recover. But no matter how late, the sense of smell and taste must return to normal. However, there is no 'proven' remedy for these symptoms. However, it is important to know a few food options that can help you regain your sense of taste and smell.
Garlic
Garlic has its own unique smell, and it is a powerful anti-viral. Further, it also helps in increasing immunity. Garlic may also have properties that reduce inflammation, ease breathing and help restore smell and taste more quickly. Heat 2 to 3 cloves of garlic in water and eat a little cold. Eat twice this way regularly. The olfactory cells will work properly, and the taste will return in a short time.
Lemon
Lemon contains vitamin C, and the smell of lemon is very refreshing. The good thing about the lemon is that it has the ability to fight viral bacteria. Eating lemon will be helpful for the closed nose, colds, and coughs. Corona sufferers can benefit from drinking lemon and honey in warm water every morning. However, the patients may need to eat for 2 consecutive months. Besides, the patient can also eat lemon pickles with rice or bread.
Read:Best Fruits for Fitness and Bodybuilding
Mint
Mint has a very nice smell, which keeps the mind and body fresh and keeps the nerves calm. It also helps to restore the taste. Drinking mint tea works on restoring both taste and smell. It works even better if the patient can drink green tea with mint.
Take Vapor
Taking vapor works great on recovering from cold or sneezing. For that, boil the water pot; when the water boils, turn off the gas and cover the head with a towel. Open your mouth, breathe well and exhale through your nose. Do this several times. All the blockages will be opened, and you will be able to breathe well. Continuous vaping will bring back the smell as soon as the cold is gone. This habit is very good even for a healthy person.
Red Chilli
Red chilli or chilli powder can be helpful in getting back your lost sense of smell. It contains powerful ingredients that can effectively 'clean' a stuffy nose. As well as activating the senses and helping to improve the effectiveness of olfactory sensations. Drinking a small amount of honey or sugar in a cup of pure water with red chilli powder more than once a day will be effective in getting back the smell.
Read Dengue vs. COVID-19: Symptoms, when & where to test, ways of prevention
Drink warm water
Whenever you drink water, try to drink lukewarm water instead of cold water. But it is not advisable to drink too hot and drink a certain level of hot water that the body can tolerate. However, if you have difficulty drinking hot water, you can drink plain water. But drinking hot water at least twice a day will surely accelerate resolving the problem.
Smell training
Smell training is a process to sniff different scents every day over a period of months. This can help to enable the brain to recognize different smells. Taking smell for 20 seconds for each scent lets you concentrate on your smell training. This eventually helps you to recognize different smells, and you can smell everything correctly gradually.
Is there any medication?
Although there is no medication for this, you can contact your doctor if your smell or taste doesn't go back to normal within a few weeks. However, you may find many suggested medications on the internet. But taking the medication without the doctor's advice can be deadly sometimes.
Read Liquid Medical Oxygen and Covid-19 Treatment: Things we need to know
Best Android, iOS Apps for Home Exercises
With the world being turned upside down due to the pandemic, many have been forced to work at home and have not gone back to the office for a year now. Depending on the leniency of the area, some companies have been overly guarded with their procedures and have just made working from home the default. With that, many workers are under confinement with limited ways to exercise. Thankfully, the epidemic arrived in the midst of a digital age, which means all is not lost if you just have a phone with you. Are you are looking for an app to give you workout pointers while stuck at home? Here are some of the best fitness apps for Androids and IOS.
Top Mobile Apps to Assist You in Workouts at Home
Map My Run
It’s no surprise that Under Armor has become a mainstay in the fitness community due to its quality products, meaningful collaborations, and extremely aggressive marketing. What is a surprise, however, is how good their Map My Run app is.
If you’re all about the running/jogging life, there are few apps out there that can compare to this one. The app tracks your running route and accurately measures the duration of your jogs. If your running is consistent, Map My Run also gives you a breakdown of your performance and even has an online feature that lets others know about your running routes and progression.
This running tracker is one of the few out there that understands the weight of establishing an online community and looks to be one of the best choices for veterans and novices alike. This app is free to download.
Read Bodybuilding Supplements to Avoid when Gyming
Fitness Buddy
What Map My Run does in running, Fitness Buddy does for weightlifting. The app is critical for those who are looking to take their weightlifting routines to the next level. Fitness Buddy is rather contemporary and has recognized the importance of providing regimes that are designed around home-based exercises. The name this app has chosen wouldn’t be fully accurate if they didn’t factor in diet plans as well.
Fitness Buddy also zeros in on elaborate meal plans and an array of recipes to help fitness enthusiasts keep themselves accountable to every aspect of this lifestyle. Diets like Keto, Paleo, and more are available for your reference. There are over 400 exercises on the app, that include videos, step-by-step photos, and detailed instructions so that even the newest member of the fitness community can get a good sweat in. This app is free to download.
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JEFIT Workout Planner
The app’s name says it all. JEFIT Workout Planner will be best suited for relatively seasoned fitness buffs who are thrilled to mix up their workout routines ever so often. The software functions more like a digital journal rather than a workout instruction manual. The currently has over 8 million users and also has trackers and programmes available, but serves more as an assistant to your design, rather than the main feature.
If you’ve taken a shot at personalising your own workouts, but want some inspiration, the app has got your back on this too. Beginner, Advanced, Sports, Equipment-based, Bodyweight and so many more options are available at your fingertips. The best part is that its jack-of-all-trades approach may not be for those who are leaning heavily towards a specific fitness style but is great for anyone confined at home. This app is free to download.
Read Kettlebells: The Best Equipment for Home Workouts
Workout for Women
Women have their own types of workouts that are better suited for them and many apps only provide a general guide that doesn’t quite factor body type in. Workout for Women puts its purpose in its name and provides some of the best workouts for ladies who are either tight for time or would gladly commit hours into it.
The interface is cleverly compartmentalised and everything you could want is easily accessible. The app won the award of being Google’s best Free Female Exercise app in 2020 and Google’s Best Health and Fitness App in 2019. If you’re a woman who wants to keep fit, this app is an absolute must to try at the very least. This app is free to download!
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30 Day Fitness Challenge - Workout At Home
The community giving this app a 4.8 out of 5 stars should show you how wonderfully packed the 30 Day Fitness Challenge app is. While not the most elaborate of programmes, the 30-day challenge does provide coaching tips and training plans that focus on home-based workouts. This app has more than kept up with the times and will do you good.
The interface is extremely easy to use and the exercises suggested are predominantly bodyweight; meaning that you won’t be caught off guard halfway through the routine, realising that you need to run out to buy some dumbbells.
If you don’t need a workout for your entire body, you could also commit an entire month to their butt and abs challenge. If you’re happy with the results, there is an inbuilt online platform that can let your friends know that the home is just another gym for you. This app is free to download.
Read: Arm Exercises: Why Beginners Don’t Need Them For Bulking
Nike Training Club
It’s nice being included in things, especially when it’s the community of one of the world’s leading fitness brands. Nike has transcended the status of being just an apparel/equipment brand for fitness but has become a name that holds the highest status in fitness knowledge as well.
The app houses workouts led by professional trainers and explore all forms of workouts, including yoga and HIIT. The lessons can be studio-based, meaning that the instructor on the app will do the actual workout with you, such as one would in a class. This application has everything and is reflective enough to know that there will always be novices who are in need of more guidance for fitness. This application is free to download.
Read Tips to Get Marathon Level Endurance and Stamina
Bodybuilding Supplements to Avoid when Gyming
Every guy wants to have a muscular physique. Not everyone will think it’s ideal to be a hulking giant, but regardless, putting on muscle is a testament to hard work and dedication. To do so, there are often many supplement brands who adamantly try to suggest that shortcuts are indeed possible. While some bodybuilding supplements like protein are generally considered positive, there are others that are highly questionable and make promises they can’t keep. They risk nothing by marketing their product that way, but you risk everything if your health takes a turn for the worst after committing to the wrong supplement.
If you are starting your muscle-building journey, these are the supplements you need to avoid when gyming.
Pre Workout
Pre Workout is so popular nowadays that calling it out would be controversial in its own right. Pre-workout serves as an energy booster that will get you going for your entire workout; supposedly giving you extra energy that translates into strength and overall efficiency. It’s no surprise that caffeine is thrown into the mix, but an overload of that can be extremely harmful to the body.
Read Kettlebells: The Best Equipment for Home Workouts
Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols are included as well and a surplus of this can lead to bloating and diarrhea. Ultimately, taking a pre-workout isn’t a nutritional supply agent per se, but more of being a “luxury” that gives you energy. With the correct meals, your body should have enough energy and strength to go about doing your workouts properly.
Test Boosters
Test boosters aren’t for everyone as they truly only help those who generate a lower amount of testosterone than the average count. Having a surplus of testosterone can be very harmful to the body. Test boosters are seen as a cheap alternative to growth hormones that are supposed to be natural. While that may be true for some brands, the harms of a surplus of this hormone include prostate swelling, oily skin, decrease in sperm count, and fluid retention, just to name a few.
READ: Best Fruits for Fitness and Bodybuilding
The consequences are difficult to identify short term, but these symptoms will show up gradually, and that’s when test boosters would have done more harm than good. There are plenty of natural ways of using a healthy amount of this hormone, and the side effects are not worth it for just a few extra points of muscle.
Fat Burners
We get that cardio is a chore to most people; but if it was easy, more people would be in shape. Fat burner presents itself as a “shortcut” to traditional dieting by claiming to help the body metabolize faster. It’s common knowledge that fiber is healthy and is a primary nutrient that helps with metabolism, but fat burners don’t use fiber. Instead, the supplement relies on caffeine.
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A regular cup of coffee increases metabolic rate between 3-4% every 2 hours, which amounts to about 12.5 calories burnt. Fat burners may dump a lot more caffeine into your body than a standard cup of coffee would, but your body has a capacity of the speed at which it can metabolize at its fastest. This supplement gets sold on the name itself, while the ingredients beyond caffeine do next to nothing with boosting metabolic activity. Definitely a hard pass on this; there are far cheaper alternatives that can provide caffeine to the body in safer quantities.
Protein Powder (Kind Of)
Protein powder is NOT bad in its own right but can be consumed poorly which will lead to severe consequences. Protein powder generally suggests one or two scoops of protein, mixed in with a bit of water - which is fine.
READ: Arm Exercises: Why Beginners Don’t Need Them For Bulking
What is not fine, however, is how many consumers perceive this supplement. The keyword in supplement means to “supply”, not replace. This means that protein powder should never act as a replacement, but only to provide additional aid if your meals generally lack protein. This could be due to work, inconveniences, or cost; which is why this supplement is by far the most popular in the weight lifting industry.
While protein powder can be safe if you go for the traditional whey and soy options and adhere to the guidelines, problems can start to surface when your workouts do not optimize the added aid. If you do not have enough of a workout to let your body metabolize the protein, you could gain unnecessary weight.
Read How to heal lungs naturally and improve breathing after recovering from COVID-19?
Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA)
This supplement has been getting a lot of attention in the market recently and is known to have been advertised by professional athletes for its effectiveness. Ultimately, BCAA gives the body leucine, isoleucine, and valine - amino acids that trigger muscle growth; however, these amino acids can be acquired elsewhere and the actual BCAA formula does absolutely nothing.
The only added benefit of BCAA is the reduction of soreness which isn’t something worth spending on every month. Overall, BCAA doesn’t suffer from being bad for the body by any means, but its effectiveness has no scientific backing and could be a huge waste to spend on.
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Glutamine
Glutamine is the same shtick as every other gym supplements out there, to help your body increase its muscle mass. This name hasn’t been used among regular gym goers recently, but it is good as it suffers from a similar problem as BCAA.
Athletes have used Glutamine to showcase the ability to gain healthy amino acids while keeping the immune system healthy and maintaining large muscles all at once. Even if there is some truth to Glutamine’s effect, it does not have enough advantages to warrant a regular commitment.
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Best Fruits for Fitness and Bodybuilding
It is such common knowledge that fruits and vegetables equal good. Regardless of lifestyle, the two have been the face of healthy eating, but that’s about where it ends for some. Differentiating different fruits and vegetables isn’t the main priority for many - as long as it isn’t a milkshake or cake, it’s better. With the right guidance and diet plan, certain fruits can help to optimize the results you are looking for when on a fitness pursuit. Here are some of the best fruits to improve fitness or put on muscle.
Fruits To Avoid
Before looking at the ones you do need, it’s important to first establish why not all fruits are the same and how alternative choices will sabotage your fitness progression. The avocado is one of the biggest culprits of this and not because it’s bad, but mainly because it does not compliment many bodybuilding diets out there.
Most plans involve a strict reduction of fat and sugar, with simple carbs being the primary energy source. Avocado is the antithesis of this principle and primarily contains fat. General strength-based exercises don’t involve much cardio, and fat is the least preferred energy source if your exercises focus on static.
Read Avocado: Is it overrated? Know the benefits, alternatives
Durians are another type of food that has a high amount of both carbs and fat, which is a lethal combo that can do more harm than good. While avocados at least have the reputation of dominating anything that’s Keto-related, Durian is off-putting too many and offers too few health benefits to substitute other fruits that are both delectable and nutritious.
Coconuts are the final options for fruits to avoid. While coconuts are nowhere near as controversial, the difficulty would be steering clear away from this delicious fruit. Coconuts are more versatile than the two other fruits on this list, which means that some foods you may think are harmless may secretly have coconut oil in them. Coconuts are also commonly turned into shavings and could spell disaster for your waist if they are cleverly used with your favorite desserts. Out of all fruits, coconuts have the highest amount of saturated fat and is deceptively heavy for how light it can taste.
Read How to heal lungs naturally and improve breathing after recovering from COVID-19?
Best Fruits for Muscle Building
Oranges
As children, oranges were possibly the signature citrus fruit to go for when pursuing a life of healthy eating -and for good reason. Oranges are jam-packed with Vitamin C and are particularly viable before your workout due to the nutrient preventing nitric oxide from being broken down. Alternatively, you could consume the fruit after your workouts and enjoy the fruit for its stellar antioxidant properties. The fruit is tasty and easily made into juices - so having it anyway you like wouldn’t stray too far away from its natural nutritional value.
Apples
If fruits had a mascot, apples would be it. From nursery adages to in-depth nutrient charts, none can deny how versatile and valuable this fruit can be. Apples contain polyphenol which helps to increase your body’s strength. While this effect may seem enticing, it is important to note that the fruit still is extremely high in sugar and should not be consumed in excess. Like almost any other fruit, juicing it naturally is a good option, while baked apple paste isn’t too bad of an idea either. Be warned that apple crumbles or apple pies don’t count as progress!
Read How to Eat Red Meat Without Jeopardizing Your Health
Cherries
For such a small fruit, cherries have some of the strongest flavors among all fruits. This is why taking more than a handful of them can make it a chore to consume. With the correct amount, cherries are a treat and contain anthocyanin, which is responsible for muscle recovery and helps to reduce inflammation. As we know, muscle hypertrophy is all about recovery and this fruit fits the bill in every way possible. Cherries work best on their own and should be eaten sparingly.
Watermelon
This tropical fruit isn’t as straightforward as the rest when it comes to nutritional benefits. Watermelons help regulate blood flow and contain citrulline, which is responsible for being converted to arginine and nitrous oxide. Watermelons are a good source of fruits if you ever consume them as an assortment, but are not the most vital to have on a daily basis. Once more, be careful about how much sugar you are consuming when feasting on this fruit.
Read Ketogenic Diet: Know the benefits and risks
Bananas
Bananas are perfect for carb-heavy diets and are best before workouts to resupply your body with glycogen. The fruit is renowned for its ability to help muscles maintain their size. Bananas come packing with an incredible amount of potassium which is good for muscle contractions and is a critical electrolyte for the body all around. Bananas are possibly one of the most common fruits to be consumed with a protein shake, but going full natural with it works too.
Managing Your Intake
While sugar cravings can partially be satisfied with fruits, it is important to note that sugar is still sugar and should not supersede the number of carbs taken. It is good as a snack for pre and post-workouts, and never functions as a meal substitute or a snack to be eaten throughout the entire day. Ultimately, gauging the amount of how much you should consume each day depends on your calorie intake cap. Balancing your fruits with oats, nuts, and even vegetables can make for a far more fulfilling role if you are not the type to snack.
Read Sweet Danger of Sugar: know the side effects of consuming too much sugar
'India likely to have Covid shot for children by September'
India is likely to have its indigenous Covid-19 vaccine for children by September, Director of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)'s National Institute of Virology (Pune) Priya Abraham said.
Abraham's remarks come amid the ongoing phase II and III trials of Covaxin for the 2-18 age group.
"Hopefully, the results (of the trials) are going to be available very soon. The results will be presented to the regulators. So, by September or just after it, we may have Covid-19 vaccines for children," Abraham told India Science, an OTT channel of the science and technology department.
Read: Bangladesh- India flight operation to resume Aug 20: FM
ICMR and Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech co-developed Covaxin, India's first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine.
"Apart from Covaxin, Zydus Cadila's vaccine trial is also going on. This can also be applied to children and will be made available. Studies on booster doses have been going on overseas, and at least seven different vaccines have been tried for it," Abraham added.
"Now, the World Health Organisation has put a stop to it till more countries catch up with vaccination. This is because there is an alarming vaccine gap between high-income and low-income countries. But, in future, recommendations for boosters will come," he said.
Read: India hands over 31 ambulences, other medical equipment to Bangladesh
The vaccination programme against Covid-19 started in India on January 16 for people above 18 years. With more than seven months into the drive, so far only 9% of the country's adult population has been fully vaccinated, the figures compiled by Our World in Data showed.
The Indian government aims to vaccinate the entire population above 18 years of age by the end of this year.
India needs to administer 10 million doses a day to achieve its aim of inoculating the adult population by December, experts say.
What we know about Covid-19 booster shots
US health officials may soon recommend Covid-19 booster shots for fully vaccinated Americans.
A look at what we know about boosters and how they could help fight the coronavirus:
Why might we need boosters?
It is common for protection from vaccines to decrease over time. A tetanus booster, for example, is recommended every 10 years.
Researchers and health officials have been monitoring the real-world performance of the Covid-19 vaccines to see how long protection lasts among vaccinated people. The vaccines authorised in the US continue to offer very strong protection against severe disease and death.
Read: US okays Covid booster dose for those with weak immune systems
But laboratory blood tests have suggested that antibodies – one of the immune system's layers of protection – can wane over time. That does not mean protection disappears, but it could mean protection is not as strong or that it could take longer for the body to fight back against an infection.
The delta variant has complicated the question of when to give boosters because it is so much more contagious and much of the data gathered about vaccine performance is from before the delta variant was widely circulating. Delta is taking off at the same time that vaccine immunity might also be waning for the first people vaccinated.
France and Germany plan to offer boosters to some people in the fall. The European Medicines Agency said it too is reviewing data to see if booster shots are needed.
Read Dengue vs. COVID-19: Symptoms, when & where to test, ways of prevention
When would they be given?
It depends on when you got your initial shots. One possibility is that health officials will recommend people get a booster roughly eight months after getting their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Officials are continuing to collect information about the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which was authorised for use in the US in late February, to determine when to recommend boosters.
Who would get them?
The first people vaccinated in the US would likely be first in line for boosters too. That means health care workers, nursing home residents and other older Americans, who were the first to be vaccinated once the shots were authorised last December.
Read: US to recommend COVID vaccine boosters at 8 months
Booster? third shot? What's the difference?
Transplant recipients and other people with weakened immune systems may not have gotten enough protection from vaccines, to begin with. They can now receive a third dose at least 28 days after their second shot as part of their initial series of shots needed for them to be fully vaccinated.
For those with normal immune systems, boosters are given much later after full vaccination – not to establish protection, but to rev it up again.
What questions remain?
Still unknown is whether people should get the same type of shot they got when first vaccinated. And the nation's top health advisers will be looking for evidence about the safety of boosters and how well they protect against infection and severe disease.
Read Liquid Medical Oxygen and Covid-19 Treatment: Things we need to know
Global access to vaccines is also important to stem the pandemic and prevent the emergence of new variants. Booster shots could crimp already tight global vaccine supplies.
What about the unvaccinated?
Dr Melanie Swift, who has been leading the vaccination programme at Mayo Clinic, says getting more shots into people who have not yet been vaccinated at all is "our best tool, not only to prevent hospitalisation and mortality from the delta variant but to stop transmission." Every infection, she says, "gives the virus more chances to mutate into who knows what the next variant could be."
"People who took the vaccine the first time are likely to line up and get their booster. But it is not going to achieve our goals overall if all their unvaccinated neighbours are not vaccinated," Swift says.
Read: Why might COVID-19 vaccine boosters be necessary?
Arm Exercises: Why Beginners Don’t Need Them For Bulking
For generations, movies have depicted the ideal man to be one who has bulging biceps and a frame that dwarfs other guys. While bodybuilding is a realistic goal for anyone to get into Hollywood shape, we all have to start somewhere. Often, many correlate muscular arms and chest to the epitome of being buff. What if we told you that despite your good intentions, working on your arms as a beginner is pointless? Here’s why beginners don’t need to train their arms for bulking (at first)!
The Excitement Behind Arms
Nothing quite shows progress in the gym like your sleeves getting a little too tight for you. Large arms are commonly seen as a testament to your workouts and are tied with your chest to be the most noticeable benchmark for your gains. Exercises like skull crushers and hammer curls are staples in every arm routine and the pump is possibly some of the most out of all arm exercises out there. Despite how alluring short-term pumps can be, it is not efficient to embark on this journey if you are brand new to weight lifting.
Read Tips to Get Marathon Level Endurance and Stamina
For beginners, the most important thing to do is to establish a routine of compound exercises INITIALLY. Isolation exercises are indeed important but serve to zero in on body parts that are already in the process of being sculpted by compound exercises.
Arms certainly fall under the former and arguably have lesser priority than other isolated muscle groups such as lateralis and deltoids. The reason behind this is that compound exercises already engage a plethora of muscle groups and since your arms are used in almost every one of those exercises, they will indeed grow on their own.
While working on arms from the get-go is by no means sabotaging your chances of growth, it would be redundant if they were not conditioned for strength and size, to begin with. Many coaches advise beginners to take up more all-rounded exercises, to begin with, such as pull-ups, push-ups, and bench presses for starters. After getting a general sense of what it means to engage your body in weight lifting, bulking starts when separate days are allocated for specific body parts.
Read: Kettlebells: The Best Equipment for Home Workouts
Chest Equals Triceps
The rule of thumb is that the chest engages the triceps and the back engages the biceps. The bench press should be one of the first exercises you’ve tried when working out with a full-body program. While shoulders, chest, and arms are engaged, the pushing motion of such heavyweights relies on your triceps specifically for the lift-off before your chest is engaged.
The incline bench press is also responsible for this, despite technically being an isolated exercise. During the lift-off period, your triceps will be lifting most of the weight for a brief moment, but when your chest begins to carry the weight, your triceps are still engaged.
Despite being a simple exercise on paper, the bench press has been a hot exercise every weightlifter implements due to its versatility. If you are extremely keen to work on your triceps more than your chest, you can follow up from a regular bench press exercise with a close grip version. This puts more emphasis on your triceps, despite going through the same motion as the standard. Be warned that this exercise will require you to reduce the weight on the bar as your triceps will be the main target, and the chest will only provide minimal support.
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Back Equals Biceps
It’s understandable to be tempted by doing nothing but curls all day to get your biceps popping, but it is one of the smallest muscle groups in your body - and can be put on hold for now. The back has tons of exercises, both isolated and compound, that will have you tucking your arms back at a 90-degree angle - which, in turn, will work on your biceps without a doubt.
Classic exercises like bent-over rows, seated rows, and lat pulldowns all possess a pulling motion that isn’t too far off from some bicep exercises, to begin with. Much like the chest, if your primary muscle group is not engaged, you are not executing the exercise correctly. Therefore, learning how to properly activate your back muscles is key to executing the rest of your exercises correctly.
Unlike chest exercises, back exercises don’t quite have the flexibility to pull off alternate grips that can lean more towards bicep-focused workouts. As the back is larger, many of the supposed compound exercises do isolate to a certain extent and will require a lot more time and effort to master the fundamentals. But fear not: since your biceps are biologically one of the smallest muscle groups, it is easily engaged and will definitely grow in proportion to the rest of your body when you have exercised long enough.
Read Benefits of Leg Workouts: Why You Should Never Skip Leg Day
Mastering The Fundamentals
In conclusion, there is a common misconception that massive, chiseled arms are acquired through common arm workouts, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Attaining the mass alone needs to be done proportionately and that will come when focusing on your entire body. While full-body exercises can be daunting and the results won’t come so quickly, being disciplined and letting time and effort do the rest is critical for your success.
Once your shoulders, back, and chest have had enough time to get accustomed to lifting heavily (with proper form), your arms will definitely catch up with your grown traps and lats. The isolation part comes later when you either feel like you’re hitting a plateau or simply decide that it’s the right time to tone. While arm exercises can be used for bulking, it’s a lot more effort for significantly fewer results.
Read How Effective Are Machines At The Gym?
The link between the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy
Earlier this week we reported the government has decided to include pregnant and lactating women in the nationwide Covid-19 inoculation programme amid a worrying rise in Covid-19 hospital admissions across the country.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued a notice regarding this Sunday. Although the pregnant women are now eligible for Covid-19 vaccination, they must follow some instructions before getting vaccinated, according to the DGHS.
They have to take the Covid shots from government vaccination centres with medical facilities after getting counselling from a registered physician there.
Read: Pregnant woman with Covid-19 unlikely to pass infection to newborns: Study
Pregnant women, who are unwell or suffering from chronic illness or have a history of vaccine allergy, will not be allowed to take the jabs.
Medical experts say there’s no biological reason the shots would affect fertility. And the AP reports real-world evidence offers more assurance for anyone worried about their chances of conceiving: In Pfizer’s study, a similar number of women became pregnant in the group given the vaccine as in the group given dummy shots.
Researchers are starting to study anecdotal reports of short-term changes to periods after the vaccine, but there’s no indication so far that the shots put fertility at risk, said Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a gynecologist and professor at the Yale University School of Medicine.
Read: Pregnant, lactating women to get Covid jab: DGHS
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and obstetrician groups also recommend COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant individuals, who have a higher risk of severe illness if infected with the coronavirus. Research shows pregnant people who get the virus are more likely to be admitted to intensive care, receive invasive ventilation and die than their non-pregnant peers.
The CDC also followed tens of thousands of pregnant women who got the vaccines and found they had comparable pregnancy outcomes to pregnant women before the pandemic.
So whether you are thinking about having a baby, trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatments, you should not delay vaccination, Dr. Denise Jamieson, chair of the department of gynaecology and obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine, told AP.