Health Care Products - a Brief Review

Let's take a look at what some of these products really are. This will help us decide if they should grace our kitchen shelves and the top of our fridge.

Wheat Grass:

1. Extracted from the cotyledons of the ordinary wheat plant, wheat grass health care products come in the form of juice, powder or tablets.
   
2. It is said to provide Chlorophyll, aminoacids, minerals, B12 and enzymes.
   
3. Proponents claim that wheat grass helps in the prevention of cancer and that it detoxifies the body.

Methyl Cellulose Powder:

1. It is produced synthetically by heating sodium hydroxide and treating it with methyl chloride.
   
2. Since it is non-toxic and passes through the digestive tract unabsorbed, the capsules our medicines come in are made of methyl cellulose - the vegan's answer to gelatin.
   
3. It is widely used in the treatment of constipation and irritable bowl syndrome because, it attracts water in the colon and helps in passing softer and bulkier stools.
   
4. It should be taken in combination with plenty of liquids as dehydration is a distinct possibility, if taken indiscriminately.

Chywanprash:

1. This is probably the oldest of health care products in India.
   
2. Often called the "exilir of life", it is believed to have been first blended by Chyawan Rishi. Hence the name.
   
3. It is said to have anti-oxidant properties.
   
4. Believed to protect the body from everyday infections, cough, cold, stress etc. by strengthening the body's immune system and internal defense mechanism.

Protein Supplements:

1. Most people wonder if protein supplements are necessary.
   
2. The recommended minimum protein intake a day is 50 gms.
   
3. Some of the best sources of protein are - beans, eggs, dairy, seafood, poultry and soy.
   
4. Since pulses and legumes (indisputably very rich proteins) are an integral part of the Indian diet, supplements are needed only when recommended by a doctor.