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Gupta to Speak at Health Expo on Yoga Chikitsa for common conditions; Health Tips of the Week

Jay Gupta, RPh, MScIM, MTM, co-founder of the nonprofit organization YogaCaps Inc., will speak on “Yoga Chikitsa for Common Conditions” during the upcoming Indian and South Asian Health Expo on April 27 at the Marriott Hotel in Newton, Mass. Gupta will overview a number of chronic physical and mental health conditions from the perspective of yoga.

“Yoga has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, and it is estimated that now over 11 million Americans practice yoga and believe in health benefits associated with it,” said Dr. Manju Sheth, president of Indian Medical Association of New England. “The increasing number of classes offered at health clubs and yoga studios are common even in suburbs now. Yoga has also been considered to be a way of life in India for optimum health, and it seemed vital to include it in an Indian health expo.”

Organized by IMANE and INDIA New England news, the day-long free Health Expo will bring the area’s major hospitals and health care providers together with the Asian Indian and South Asian communities in New England.

Gupta, a pharmacist by profession, co-founded YogaCaps to share specialized yoga classes for those with chronic health and mental health conditions at area hospitals and community centers. He began his study of yoga in India in 1983 and has been exploring the depths of yoga ever since. Throughout his life, he has endeavored to achieve a scientific understanding of yoga and has traveled around the globe learning and sharing. Gupta shares some of the practices from the Himalayan masters in his DVD “Subtle Yoga for Rejuvenation.” His audio CD “Prescription for Restful Sleep” has brought relief to many with insomnia. He donates all the proceeds from both projects. He is also the co-founder of RxRelax. As a yoga therapist, he specializes in treatment of chronic physical and mental health conditions. He also serves as a community pharmacist. Voted each year as a “favorite pharmacist” by his patients, Gupta combines his knowledge of medicines and lifestyle management with his scientific and therapeutic approach to yoga.

In addition to providing an overview of a number of chronic physical and mental health conditions from the perspective of yoga, Gupta will also dispense several “Yoga Practice Capsules” from among several common concerns including healthy aging, hypertension, insomnia, joint problems, and prevention of what he calls “TRD” or technology-related diseases for anyone using cell phone and computer, etc. Yoga Capsules are quick, simple, powerful practices to do every day, just like taking a medicine capsule.

The Health Expo is supported by the India Society of Worcester, Indian Americans of Lexington, Vision Aid, Ekal Vidyalay, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Association of Pakistani Physicians of New England, Indian American Forum for Political Education, Saheli Boston, the United India Association, the India Association of New Hampshire, the Gujrati Association of New England, the Indian Association of Greater Boston, New England Hindi Manch and LearnQuest Academy of Music.
Health Tips of the Week
Here are some health tips from readers of the Health Expo event page on Facebook. Neither IMANE nor INE are responsible for these tips. Please consult your doctor.

Submitted by Sangeeta Pradhan:
Pure vegetarians have a hard time meeting EPA and DHA needs (omega-3 fatty acids) because the preferred source is fish. The body can convert alpha-linolenic acid from seeds and walnuts to EPA and DHA, but the conversion is slow and easily disrupted if the diet is high in saturated and trans fats. For vegetarians, it is recommended that on a 2,000 calorie diet, one aims for 2.2-4.4 grams a day of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed. Ground flaxseed is recommended, as the whole flaxseeds will go through the intestinal tract undigested. Chia seeds also provide a significant amount of ALA, but are more expensive. Ground flaxseed can be blended into hot cereals, soups, dals, yogurt and dark sauces. Whole flaxseeds stay longer, so you can buy whole, and grind as needed in a coffee mill.

Submitted by Indu Arora:
I would suggest flaxseeds to make laddus. Take roasted or ground flaxseed, fresh dates and coconut flake and mix them all through a grinder. Once done, roll them into laddoos and if you are a chocoholic like me and then finally roll them in cocoa powder. This is excellent in fiber and healthy fatty acids. Apart from this dates are a natural sweetener and one ladoo a day with a cup of warm milk or herbal tea is as excellent start of the day or an evening snack.

Submitted by Nikhila Ambati:
Flaxseed Chatnipudi: I made flaxseed chatnipudi. Ingredients: roasted flaxseeds, dry coconut powder, lots of curry leaves roasted, amchur powder, red chilli powder and salt. Dry grind the above ingredients and use it as a side with parathas, dosas, idlis or sprinkle on pasta, upma, poha, etc. Optional ingredients are roasted channa dal, roasted sesame seeds and roasted peanuts.