PUBLIC HEALTH

  How Food Affects Common Medicines: What You Must Know. Did you know that something as simple as a glass of grapefruit juice or a plate of spinach can interfere with your medication? It’s true! Certain foods can reduce a drug’s effectiveness or even increase its side effects. If you're on regular medications like those for blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol, this blog is for you. Let’s dive into the most common food-drug interactions—and how you can safely plan your meals around your medicines. What Is a Food-Drug Interaction? A food-drug interaction happens when something you eat changes how a medicine works in your body. This can: Block absorption of the drug Increase or decrease drug levels in your blood Cause side effects or toxicity Why it matters: These interactions can be dangerous if ignored—especially for people with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease. Common Medicines and Their Food Interactions 1. Antihypertensive Medicines (Blood Pre...

  GLP-1 Boosting Weekly Meal Plan (Low-glycemic, fiber-rich, heart-healthy) Monday Breakfast: Greek yogurt + chia seeds + berries Lunch: Grilled chicken + steamed broccoli + barley salad Snack: Apple slices + almond butter Dinner: Baked salmon + sautéed spinach + small sweet potato Drink: Green tea Tuesday Breakfast: Oatmeal with flaxseeds + cinnamon + walnuts Lunch: Lentil soup + cucumber & tomato salad + whole wheat roti Snack: Cottage cheese + sliced peach Dinner: Grilled tofu + stir-fried mixed veggies (ginger & garlic) Drink: Green tea  Wednesday Breakfast: Boiled eggs + avocado slices + wholegrain toast Lunch: Sardine salad with olive oil dressing + brown rice Snack: Handful of walnuts + green tea Dinner: Chicken & spinach stew + small portion of quinoa Drink: Apple cider vinegar in water (before dinner) Thursday Breakfast: Smoothie (spinach, kefir, berries, chia seeds) Lunch: Chickpea curry + roasted cauliflower + 1 multigrain chapati Snack: Greek yogurt wit...

 "GLP-1 Power Foods: Eat Smart, Burn Fat, Balance Sugar!" GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, appetite, and insulin secretion. Boosting natural GLP-1 levels can support weight loss and blood sugar control — especially useful in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Here’s a list of foods that can naturally boost GLP-1: 1. Protein-Rich Foods Eggs Greek yogurt Cottage cheese Chicken breast Fish (like salmon and sardines) Legumes (like lentils, beans) 2. Fermented and Probiotic Foods Yogurt (with live cultures) Kefir Sauerkraut Kimchi Miso These improve gut health, which plays a role in GLP-1 secretion. 3. High-Fiber Foods Oats Barley Apples (with skin) Berries (blueberries, raspberries) Broccoli, Brussels sprouts Chia seeds, flaxseeds Soluble fiber in particular can stimulate GLP-1. 4. Healthy Fats Extra virgin olive oil Avocados Nuts (almonds, walnuts) Fatty fish (omega-3 rich) 5. Bitter Foods Dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, dandelion gre...