- 5 months ago
This episode of Health 360 explores pressing health and wellness issues, starting with the therapeutic benefits of sunshine for hospital patients and its role in regulating the circadian rhythm.
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00:30Hello and welcome to a brand new episode of Health Free 60.
00:34Well earlier this week Delhi including many urban centers saw temperatures touching 44-45 degrees Celsius.
00:42Well I spoke with former Deputy Director of the World Health Organization Dr. Soumya Swaminathan on what could be the
00:49possible solutions ahead.
00:51Also on the show Ebola and how cases and deaths are increasing.
00:55Everybody now wants to know what exactly are magnesium supplements for sleep and what about melatonin.
01:03What exactly is that?
01:05A viral video also of a patient in ICU being taken to the rooftop of the hospital.
01:11What exactly is sunshine doing to your health?
01:15Cow colostrum supplements and much more.
01:18All the trending conversations around health and wellness coming up on the show ahead.
01:23I'm Srinivas Mordani.
01:24This is Health Free 60.
01:27Earlier a video went viral of a woman in the United Kingdom in a hospital wherein she was taken from
01:34her hospital room to the rooftop doctors say to get her enough sunshine.
01:38Well everybody was asking what exactly is sunshine going to do to help a patient who is in fact recuperating
01:45in an ICU.
01:47Well it caught our interest.
01:49We decided to delve deeper and what we found is actually very interesting.
01:53That in the past hospitals have beds set up in balconies and rooftops to get sunshine for their patients.
02:01Sunshine was very much a part of the treatment plan.
02:05Well it turns out that sunshine does have healing properties.
02:09What exactly is that?
02:11We found out.
02:17There's a medicine available to nearly everyone.
02:21It costs nothing, requires no prescription and arrives every morning.
02:26It is sunshine.
02:29For centuries doctors observed that patients often recovered better.
02:33When they spent time outdoors.
02:35Long before vitamin D was understood.
02:38Hospitals across Europe built open air wards and sun terraces where patients could rest in natural light.
02:46One remarkable example comes from Leeds in the United Kingdom.
02:50A seriously ill patient confined indoors for weeks was regularly taken outside into the sunshine as part of a care.
02:58Doctors and nurses noticed a gradual improvement in her strength, mood and overall recovery.
03:07When sunshine was not the only treatment, it became an important part of a healing journey.
03:14Science explains why sunshine is so essential.
03:17Remember it helps in creating vitamin D in the body, important for healthy bones, healthy skin, healthy muscles and helping
03:24in building immunity.
03:25It's also that one regulator of your clock, your internal clock in your body.
03:31Now imagine yourself as having an internal big clock inside you.
03:35That is a circadian rhythm.
03:37When to get up, when to sleep.
03:39If that goes for a toss, then there is a bit of a problem there.
03:43Sunshine helps in fixing that problem as well.
03:46Sunlight can be therapeutic like you're saying.
03:49And I think that's where as more than just not as doctors, even when hospitals are designed, rehab facilities are
03:57designed,
03:57they should be designed in such a way that patients can be exposed to sunlight to different types of stimulus.
04:05Reason for exposing patients to sunlight, as you are quoting the study,
04:10might be that if you expose them to sunlight, you try to entrain their circadian rhythm.
04:16Well, the fact is that even a small amount of exposure is going to work wonders when it comes to
04:21your health.
04:22A morning walk when the sun is just out is beautiful and it's going to give you the kind of
04:27exposure that your body requires.
04:30It doesn't have to be anything elaborate.
04:32The sunlight is very therapeutic.
04:34It helps in many neurological diseases.
04:36It will help to improve the patient's level of consciousness, alertness.
04:41And that is the reason why there is increase in recognition of the fact that the circadian rhythm is something
04:49which we should be looking at in these patients.
04:52The story from Leeds reminds us of this one thing, that recovery and healing is not just about using medicines
04:58and machines.
04:59Nature is there for a reason nature has in it the power to heal.
05:03And in that context, exposure to sunshine becomes extremely important.
05:09Now, in many countries, especially in a country like India, there are states that believe that cow colostrum is extremely
05:17good.
05:18It's good for health.
05:19It's the first milk when the cow has given birth to a calf.
05:23But the fact is that this belief has now taken roots in the wellness industry,
05:28which is cashing in upon the craze for cow colostrum.
05:33So, move over protein supplements.
05:36Cow colostrum supplements are the next big thing.
05:40Here's more.
05:45Colostrum has been making babes in the wellness world.
05:48And a big part of that is thanks to celebrities and influencers jumping on board.
05:52Stars like Jennifer Aniston and Kourtney Kardashian have openly shared their love for colostrum supplements,
06:00praising them for the skin boosting and overall wellness benefits.
06:04Naturally, their endorsements have sparked a surge in interest,
06:07with more people wanting to see what the hype is really about.
06:14This is liquid gold.
06:16It's cow colostrum, essentially the first milk of the cow after giving birth to a calf.
06:22Now, why are we suddenly talking to you about cow colostrum?
06:25Well, historically, in many parts of India, this is called Khees.
06:29It is considered really good for health.
06:31And that's the reason why the calf gets an opportunity to, in fact, consume his mother's first milk.
06:38Well, a lot of it is produced and that's the reason why many humans also take from the cow colostrum.
06:44But now, there is something that is driving the market for cow colostrum.
06:51Traditionally, we've all consumed it in our households, you know.
06:55But cow colostrum supplements are now becoming extremely popular.
07:01There's an interesting thing that has come up.
07:03And some data has come, which would, I mean, kind of something.
07:08Because, see, people take steroids.
07:10They go to gym.
07:11They take a lot of protein supplements.
07:13We have patients of different, who come with different kind of problems, liver problems.
07:18They have kidney problems.
07:20They take a lot of things, which actually they should not take.
07:23Gym products and a lot of things.
07:24So, as compared to that, I think this looks like more of a benign thing, if somebody would like to
07:30have, provided it is processed, collected and is a genuine thing.
07:33Well, the fact is that cow colostrum is actually packed with antibodies that help build immunity.
07:37And that's the reason why it's important for calves.
07:41Also, proteins, vitamins, minerals and really a powerhouse of a lot of nutrients, which is extremely good for health.
07:49And is required for many people who are looking at fixing their gut.
07:53It helps in certain conditions where there is diarrhea in a patient and also helps children in that sense.
07:59Because, like I said at the outset, it's got immunity building properties.
08:03They help in preventing a lot of GI infections.
08:06They help in doing a lot of healing of our gut.
08:09And, you know, whenever a person feels less in energy or low in energy or has taken antibiotics and wants
08:16to improve the gut health.
08:18So, these things will, these supplements can support.
08:22A little about the supplements widely available and expensive.
08:27These are flooding the market now.
08:30The Indian cow colostrum supplement market is a rapidly expanding segment of the broader nutraceutical industry valued at $239.2
08:41million and projected to reach $433.4 million.
08:47But as experts have indicated, not everyone needs to take it.
08:53Well, a lot of people say that I've tried nicotine pouches, I've done chewing gum, I've done meditation and what
09:00not to get rid of their habit of addiction to tobacco, nicotine.
09:06Well, many of them have failed, most of them unfortunately.
09:09But the fact of the matter is that there is no need to be disillusioned.
09:13Quietly somewhere in the national capital, we found that there is a helpline center which is working very, very quietly
09:22and helping many people quit this addiction.
09:27It's actually just a phone call and some conversation which is weaving around this magic, helping people get rid of
09:35this addiction.
09:36They deserved our attention this week.
09:45Well, I've heard about this from a lot of people, though thankfully it doesn't really apply to me.
09:50Tobacco and nicotine addiction is a big problem.
09:53A lot of people have done what they can, sometimes in a very drastic and dramatic fashion, to get rid
09:59of this habit.
10:00I've heard of people throw away their cigarettes in a burst of motivation.
10:04Many have switched to new brands.
10:06They chew gum non-stop so that they don't feel the need to reach out for that cigarette.
10:11They've made new year resolutions, downloaded apps, taken up jargon, promised to themselves just one last pack.
10:19Yet, how many of us, and like I said, not me, but how many people have been able to give
10:26up this horrible habit?
10:27The people, in spite of the best intentions, may be finding themselves slipping back into old habits again and again.
10:35Because, tobacco addiction is not just a habit, it's a powerful dependence that often requires support, guidance and persistence.
10:45Well, that's where India's National Tobacco Quitline Services is making a real difference.
10:52The maximum number of the people who call us for the quitting are from 18 to 24 years, followed by
11:0024 to 34 years.
11:02So, means young people are willing to quit, one message comes from this data, young people are willing to quit.
11:12So, means if they are encouraged basically, if they are told about the harmful effect of the tobacco, they will
11:18be willing to quit and they can take the help of National Tobacco Quitline Services.
11:23Below 17 years also called our National Tobacco Quitline Services to quit.
11:40Now, since its launch, 10 years ago, the Quitline has become a trusted companion for people trying to break free
11:53from nicotine addiction.
11:546.5 lakh registered users, 1 crore calls received and more than 37 lakh counselling sessions have been conducted.
12:04The program actually shows that quitting is far more achievable when people don't have to do it alone.
12:39It's operating from Delhi's Valabhai Patel Chest Institute.
12:44The free service is offering counselling in multiple languages, using users, build quit plans, manage cravings, navigate relapses and stay
12:54committed to a tobacco free life.
12:56Isn't that great?
12:57Well, it's this helpline number written right here, 1-8-0-0-1-1-2-3-5-6.
13:04It's a simple phone call and follow-ups is going to help you break the habit and get rid of
13:11this cigarette, which is nothing but poison.
13:15Everyone is sleep deprived nowadays and that's the reason why people are having queries around magnesium supplements.
13:22Suddenly, it seems to be that one magic pill which will solve all your sleep problems.
13:27But is that the truth really?
13:29Who should be taking magnesium supplements?
13:32What about melatonin?
13:33Who should be taking melatonin supplements?
13:36How does your sleep really work?
13:38What's the science behind it?
13:40A lot of queries come my way.
13:42I direct them to the health experts and put together this report for you.
13:53Well, do you ever find yourself staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m.
13:58wondering why sleep seems impossible?
14:01Perhaps more often than not, we've been sleepers, haven't we?
14:05Well, you really aren't alone.
14:07Well, sleeplessness is becoming one of the biggest challenges as far as our health is concerned.
14:13And that's why so many people are having a conversation around magnesium and melatonin supplements.
14:21To begin with, what really is magnesium?
14:24Magnesium is a very important mineral.
14:26It is involved in over 300 critical reactions and processes in the body.
14:33In terms of the brain, it regulates neuronal excitability.
14:39It supports certain chemical reactions, which in turn enable your muscle and nerve relaxation.
14:48Without adequate magnesium, your brain literally cannot switch off.
14:52Melatonin is the hormone your body naturally produces to help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
14:59It's produced by the pineal gland deep inside the brain.
15:02Melatonin's primary role is biological timing.
15:05It tells the brain and body that night has arrived.
15:08It's like an informer in that case.
15:11But it also does some additional work apart from informing your body and your brain about the fact that it's
15:16night time.
15:17It's sleep time.
15:19Melatonin helps synchronize the body's internal clock with the liver, heart, gut, immune system and brain.
15:27Imagine that your body has a clock inside it.
15:30It needs some hand-holding, some guidance to give it an idea about daytime and nighttime.
15:37Melatonin does that job.
15:39It influences cortisol release, insulin sensitivity, body temperature, immune repair and the brain's nightly waste, which is the clearance process.
15:50Almost like a jhaadu that starts inside your brain.
15:54Now, disrupting melatonin is not just disrupting sleep.
15:58It is disrupting a whole range of other functions in your body, your circadian biology itself.
16:05Meaning, it upsets the clock inside your body.
16:08In simple terms, it is night and day.
16:12During daytime, humans are awake.
16:15During nighttime, humans go to sleep.
16:17That is their natural and normal circadian rhythm.
16:20Melatonin is very, very sensitive to outside light.
16:24So, whenever it is bright outside, melatonin levels are low and they gradually increase as ambient light becomes less.
16:32And as it becomes dark, melatonin hormone levels rise.
16:35The advantage of melatonin levels rising is that it helps the body go to sleep.
16:40It prepares the human body and mind to go to sleep in a natural manner and to maintain the body's
16:46natural circadian rhythm.
16:47Think of magnesium as helping your body relax.
16:51Melatonin can help signal it's time for sleep.
16:55So, the big question is whether you should be taking magnesium supplements if you are sleep deprived or only when
17:03you are deficient.
17:05Who needs to take these medicines?
17:07So, magnesium as a supplement, even in the presence of normal magnesium levels in the body, are advised and recommended
17:15for people who have poor sleep quality, people who have anxiety disorders, people who have migraine or vestibular migraine, people
17:23with restless leg syndrome, and people who may have difficulty falling asleep because of anxiety related issues.
17:30What about melatonin supplements?
17:33It's a very narrow group which actually benefits from it.
17:37So, if you have a short-term issue with sleep, for example, jet lag, or you're working in a late
17:43night shift, and just for a few days your sleep has got dysregulated, then it is fine to use melatonin.
17:52Fact is, better sleep starts with healthy habits.
17:54And for some people, magnesium and melatonin may be part of the routine, but they do have certain risks as
18:02well.
18:02A loose tummy, for example, is the most common side effect of these supplements.
18:07In the elderly, it can cause excessive daytime drowsiness as well.
18:12Thing is, not you, but your doctor is in a position to prescribe these supplements to you.
18:18It really isn't a toffee to be popped because you haven't slept for a couple of nights.
18:23The World Health Organization has estimated that this particular outbreak of Ebola could be as worse as what we've seen
18:31in the past.
18:32That's across the 100 mark.
18:34Cases have also crossed the 600 mark.
18:36Former Deputy Director of the World Health Organization, Dr. Swamy Swaminathan, is with us.
18:41We are going to be talking about vaccines and what's the kind of work that is being done.
18:45Thank you so much for your time.
18:47First of all, I want to ask you about the situation.
18:50Currently, it seems as though there are cases or there could be suspected cases outside of Africa.
18:56There is a possibility of further spread.
18:58How bad is the possible situation?
19:00It is a very worrying situation, especially in the DRC.
19:06Because right now, without a vaccine and treatment, what is basically needed is very, very good contact tracing and testing.
19:15And so for each person who's infected, you've got to go out and really track down all of the contacts
19:21that they've had in the last week or 10 days and test all of them and then put them in
19:25quarantine, put all the infected people in isolation and, of course, give them good treatment.
19:30Because the only saving grace here is that it has a lower fatality rate than the Zyrebola.
19:37How big a risk is this in a country like ours, like in India?
19:40See, for India, it's not an immediate threat.
19:43As the WHO has clarified, this is not an international threat at a high level because Ebola doesn't spread like
19:52other airborne viruses, for example.
19:54So right now, the focus really needs to be for all countries to extend support to DRC and to Uganda,
20:04through Africa CDC, through the WHO, to ensure that this outbreak can be brought under control as quickly as possible.
20:11What about the vaccines here?
20:13What's the kind of work that is being done in this direction?
20:16And how soon could we really have a vaccine?
20:18We know of at least three groups of scientists from different parts of the world who had been working on
20:25a platform on which they are now going to try to develop the vaccine against Bundi Bukyo.
20:31So one of them is an mRNA vaccine that Moderna is going to work on.
20:36Another one is the recombinant VSV vaccine that the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, they have a platform with the VSV.
20:48which is another viral vector.
20:50And then you have the CHADOX strain, which was developed by the Oxford group of researchers that was used for
20:57developing the Covishield vaccine for COVID that was done in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India.
21:04Now, the fact is that the United States is pulled out of the World Health Organization at a crucial time
21:11like this.
21:12How bad was that move?
21:14So with U.S. withdrawal on WHO, clearly it has an impact.
21:20And one of the impacts it's having is that the officials from the CDC, the experts who used to be
21:28very knowledgeable on these things,
21:30always were part of the WHO response and of WHO committees, including in those that are shortlisting vaccines and drugs
21:39and so on.
21:39So that is gone.
21:41The links between the NIH, the CDC and the USA have have gone.
21:47So the USA also now does not get any intelligence from what is happening within the WHO.
21:54And of course, financially, WHO is much weaker now because of the U.S. pullout.
22:0170% of the DRC's public health financing came from USAID.
22:09And since they withdrew their funding because the USAID has been closed down, things have got worse since last year.
22:20And therefore, the preparedness of the public health facilities and DRC is actually worse than what it could have been.
22:36And summer months, as we know, are becoming unlivable, particularly in urban centers.
22:40The rural India also continues to be affected in a bigger way.
22:43Now, the Indo-Gangetic plain heats up in a way that experts are now saying it's crossing the limits of
22:50human tolerability.
22:51I want to begin by asking you, there is no other way of describing our summers, isn't it?
22:56It's purely brutal. Limits of human tolerability are getting crossed at all levels now, isn't it?
23:04Nature, you know, has been giving us everything free.
23:09And therefore, we've taken and taken and taken and not really thought about, you know, are we using these nature's
23:16resources sustainably or not?
23:17And now we've realized that we have over-exploited nature and that there are limits to how much the reserves
23:25can there are.
23:27So it's very, very important today for us to think about our development hand in hand with thinking about, you
23:40know, nature, its ecosystem services and its limits.
23:43How would you then describe the urban heat island effect?
23:47So what we're seeing now is a very worrying trend, which is going to continue into the future of higher
23:53and higher temperatures.
23:56But it's not just the temperature.
23:58There are other factors that are making the heat worse.
24:01One is the urbanization and the fact that the urban heat island effect, which is because of all the concrete
24:09and glass and asphalt that we use in our cities
24:11and the reduction of shade and green and blue spaces, what that's doing is it's increasing the nighttime temperature.
24:19So at night, all the heat that's absorbed during the days is released.
24:23And therefore, the nighttime temperatures are higher than much higher than they used to be.
24:28How important is it for us to do an, you know, a right assessment of heat wave mortality in India?
24:35I understand that some reports indicate there could be 3,400 more deaths than what is being reported.
24:41In reality, it's probably much higher because it's one more factor, you know, that pushes you over.
24:48And then you have that heart failure, which would otherwise not have happened.
24:55The people who are most vulnerable are, of course, the extremes of age.
25:00That is, very small babies and infants, the elderly, pregnant women, but also those who are exposed outside.
25:08What about water crisis, water shortages in different parts of the country?
25:12I mean, government have some solutions to offer, but clearly it's not having a trickle-down effect, so to speak,
25:18for the people who continue to deal with water shortages all over.
25:22If we continue to do what we're doing today, the predictions are that many cities in India will run out
25:28of drinking water.
25:29As early as 2030, and that heat will become unbearable, people will start migrating,
25:36that there will be large-scale, you know, economic distress because of climate change,
25:42exacerbated by the over-exploitation of natural resources.
25:47Well, that brings us to the end of this edition of Healthy 60.
25:50We hope you enjoyed watching the show as much as we did, putting it together for you.
25:54You can find this report and much more up on our website.
25:57That's indiatoday.in.
25:58You can download the app as well.
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26:14Until next time, take very good care of yourself.
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