All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

Nutrition: Deficiencies in key nutrients like zinc, folate, and antioxidants can reduce sperm count and quality. 

Smoking and alcohol: These increase oxidative stress and DNA fragmentation in sperm, raising the risk of birth defects and developmental problems. 

Obesity: Linked to hormonal imbalances, low testosterone, poor sperm quality, and increased inflammation—all of which may impact the baby’s health. 

Image credit: Image by Mircea Iancu from Pixabay (Free to use under Pixabay content license)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: June 23, 2025
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Impact Of Father’s Health And Age On Fertility And Baby’s Health

Impact Of Father’s Health And Age On Fertility And Baby’s Health

When conceiving people focus solely on the mother’s health. A father’s health also plays a significant role in the health of the baby during conception, pregnancy, and beyond. While maternal health has traditionally received more focus, emerging research shows that paternal factors can directly and indirectly affect fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and the child’s long-term health.  

A father’s physical and lifestyle health and age can significantly affect fertility and the health of the future child.  

References: 

  1. https://utswmed.org/medblog/older-fathers-fertility/ 
  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9957550/ 
  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028222019938 
  1. https://unmhealth.org/stories/2021/03/fathers-health.html 
  1. https://www.alliancevita.org/en/2024/09/perinatality-age-of-the-father/ 

Image credit: Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay (Free to use under Pixabay content license)

Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

Lifestyle and Environmental Factors

Genetics, Fertility And Conception

Genetics, Fertility And Conception

Advanced Age And Fertility Challenges

Advanced Age And Fertility Challenges

Father’s Age And Child Health Risks

Father’s Age And Child Health Risks

Protective Steps Regardless of Age

Protective Steps Regardless of Age

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Forever chemicals and pregnancy

Forever Chemicals PFAS Are Harmful For Pregnancy And The Baby

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of human-made chemicals used since the 1940s in various industrial and consumer products due to their resistance to water, oil, and heat. They are often called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. These “forever chemicals” are harmful during pregnancy due to their persistence in the body and their ability to cross the placenta.

Where PFAS are found?

  • Non-stick cookware (like Teflon)
  • Stain-resistant fabrics and carpets.
  • Water-repellent clothing
  • Food packaging (especially greasy fast-food wrappers)
  • Firefighting foams
  • Some cosmetics and personal care products

Effects of PFAS on pregnancy

PFAS can cross the placenta and accumulate in the fetus. Numerous studies suggest potential risks, although the extent of harm may depend on the type and level of exposure.

Health risks linked to PFAS exposure during pregnancy:

  1. Lower birth weight: One of the most consistent findings. Babies exposed to utero may be slightly smaller.
  2. Preterm birth: Increased risk of delivering before 37 weeks.
  3. Pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia: PFAS may affect blood pressure outcomes regulation.
  4. Disruption of thyroid hormones: These hormones are essential for fetal brain and body development.
  5. Immune system impacts: Potentially lowering the baby’s immune response.
  6. Changes in lipid metabolism and glucose regulation: Which may influence long-term child health.
  7. Long-term child health effects: Exposure may be associated with later risks of obesity, hormonal issues and learning or behavioral disorders.

How to reduce PFAS exposure during pregnancy

  1. Avoid non-stick cookware with PFAS (opt for ceramic or cast iron).
  2. Minimize fast food and microwave popcorn (often in PFAS-lined packaging).
  3. Check beauty and skincare products for PFAS (look for ingredients like PTFE or “fluoro”).
  4. Use water filters certified to remove PFAS (especially if you live near known contaminated areas).
  5. Stay informed about local water quality and avoid fish from PFAS-contaminated waters.
  6. Read labels for ingredients – whether it is food package or cosmetics.

Remember – Your baby’s health depends on your health. What you put in your body directly or indirectly influence baby’s health!

References:

https://www.responsiblefoodbusiness.org/insights/why-government-and-industry-must-address-forever-chemicals-in-the-food-supply

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/forever-chemicals-called-pfas-show-your-food-clothes-and-home

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/what-to-know-about-pfas

Image credit: Image by Cindy Parks from Pixabay (Free to use under Pixabay content license)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: June 19, 2025
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Raw banana manchurian

Raw Banana Manchurian Recipe

Rain and hot Manchurian are good combination to enjoy a monsoon evening! Have you ever tasted raw banana Manchurian? If not, try banana Manchurian to enjoy a rainy day. It tastes delicious with fried rice or coffee/tea. Try this banana snack for your evening!

Here are steps to prepare banana Manchurian recipe.

Ingredients:

For frying the banana:

  1. Ras bananas (peeled and sliced into thin batons or cubes) -2.
  2. Cornflour-3 tbsp
  3. All-purpose flour (Maida)- 2 tbsp
  4. Ginger-garlic paste- 1 tsp.
  5. Salt to taste
  6. Black pepper powder -1 tsp
  7. Water (as needed for coating)
  8. Oil for deep frying

For Manchurian sauce:

  1. Oil – Tbsp
  2. Finely chopped ginger – 1 tsp
  3. Finely chopped garlic – 1 tsp
  4. Green chilies, slit – 1 or 2.
  5. Chopped onion – ¼ cup.
  6. Chopped capsicum (optional) – 1/4cup.
  7. Soy sauce – 2 Tbsp
  8. Tomato ketchup – 1 Tbsp.
  9. Red chili sauce (adjust to taste)- 1 tsp.
  10. Vinegar (optional) – 1 tsp
  11. Corn flour mixed with ¼ cup water (for thickening) – 1 tsp.
  12. Spring onions for garnish – ¼ cup.

Preparation:

Preparing bananas: Boil the raw bananas with skin until they are just tender (not mushy). Peel and chop into small cubes or thin fingers.

Make batter: In a bowl, mix corn flour, all-purpose flour, salt, pepper, and ginger-garlic paste. Add enough water to make thick coating batter. Toss banana pieces in this batter to coat evenly.

Fry the bananas: Heat oil in a pan and deep-fry the banana pieces until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels.

Prepare Sauce: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or pan. Add ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Sauté for a few seconds. Add onion and capsicum (if using), and stir-fry on high flame for a minute. Add soy sauce, ketchup, chili sauce, and vinegar. Mix well, then pour in corn flour slurry. Stir until it thickens.

Mix well: Add the fried banana pieces to the sauce. Toss to coat evenly. Cook for a minute until sauce clings well.

Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped spring onions. Serve hot as an appetizer or with fried rice or have evening coffee or tea.

Image credit: Raw banana – Image by Michael from Pixabay (Free to use under Pixabay content license)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Aura cleansing

Cleansing Aura Helps To Heal From Negative Energy

When you meet someone, you may feel good and energized. This is what is also known as positive aura or sensing another person’s aura which is giving positive vibe. Aura is all about energy surrounding a person. Each person has his or her own aura that influences lives of people who they meet in everyday life.

Aura is the energy field that encloses the body of humans (and animals). Aura is also defined as an electromagnetic field that surrounds human being. In yoga practices aura is linked to different types of chakras in the body. Aura is believed to protect body against disease and negative environment. When our aura is weak, we may become vulnerable to germs, emotions, attitudes of others and it results in sickness, unhappiness and dullness. One can expand our aura with ritual spell kits to unlock their full potential.

Some people have strong aura that uplifts many. Like wise there can be many, when we meet them we feel our energy goes down and day becomes immensely dull and boring. Or sometimes due to circumstances you might experience lethargy that pulls you down that leads to negative energy. How to overcome this? How one can in simple steps cleanse aura to feel better?

What happens when our aura into negative energy?

  1. Stressed mind
  2. Physically – feeling lethargic
  3. Unhappiness
  4. Feeling sick
  5.  Sense of under achievement
  6. Becoming moody
  7. Getting angry

Simple ways of cleansing aura

  1. Practice meditation: There are different ways one can meditate. Chose the meditation that you feel happy about. Daily 10-15 minutes of meditation is good for uplifting your day. While doing meditation practice pranayama.
  2. Take a bath in essential oil or aromatic herbs with Epsom salt: Fill the tub with handful of aromatic herbs like lavender, rose petals, or eucalyptus leaves. Add Epsom salt and have bath in this water. You can add essential oils like rosemary, lavender, rose oil, eucalyptus oil etc. to make it more effective and soothing. Aromatic herbs and crystals have healing power and will bring back the lost mood. Epsom salt and crystals such as clear quartz, amethyst influence healing and helps in balancing.
  3. Moon water cleansing: Moon is soothing. People relax under moonlight to bring in positive energy.  Add soothing crystal like rose quartz to water in a bowl and place under moonlight. Collect the water in a spritz bottle, add few drops of one of the essential oil – lavender, sage, sandalwood, rose – mix it and spray on your body. Belief is that moon brings energy.
  4. Balancing chakra: Sit in a quite place and focus on various chakras of the body while grounding energy and connecting to mother earth. To know about chakra healing click here.
  5. Connect to nature: walking in rain, walking in greenery brings new and fresh vibes to aura. While walking imagine that the earth healing energy is engulfing your body and healing.
  6. Yoga and exercises: Any form of physical exercises releases stress. Yoga is highly recommended for cleansing the body as all muscles will stretch and helps to connect body to mind. Physical activities or exercises helps to get rid of energies that we picked up from others. This is the reason once we finish our daily dose of exercise, we feel light, positive and uplifted.
  7. Singing bowls: Also known as Tibetan singing bowls -Good sound or a good music from an instrument influences brain by means of entertainment. When brain is calm and free of anxiety it triggers positive energy in the body. The musicality of the singing bowl helps in relaxation and reduces stress level.  The vibrations and tones from singing bowl slows down heavy breathing, heart rate and disturbed brain waves.

What is the benefit of aura cleansing?

  1. Helps in emotional balance
  2. Brings back energy
  3. Helps to get back in focus, raises vibes.
  4. Brings happiness
  5. Soothing effect
  6. Removes all the negative thoughts

Aura cleansing is great for the body and once in a while practicing aura cleansing keeps the energy at balance. Aura cleansing is not a medical treatment. It is spiritual and to feel better when we are out of focus and feel lethargic with daily interaction with people who bring negative energy.

Image by Ajay kumar Singh in Pixabay (free for commercial use)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Where guided imagery used

Where guided imagery used

Guided imagery used for following conditions-

·         For overcoming issues related to: Migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, high BP, anxiety, PTSD, breathing difficulties, surgery, chronic pain, cancer, wound healing etc.

·         To get relief from issues such as: stress, insomnia, anxiety, depression

·         Helps for those who want to: improve communication, quit smoking, lose weight, public speaking, focus to study, athletes to reach their goal etc.

Image credit: Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay (CC by 0)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: June 18, 2025
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Steps For Self-Guided Imagery Technique

Steps For Self-Guided Imagery Technique

One can practice guided imagery in a quiet and comfortable place.

1.       You can sit or lie down in a comfortable place where there is not much sound.

2.       Close your eyes.

3.       Inhale and exhale – take deep breaths to relax the body.

4.       Visualize a peaceful, calm setting and your happy place – it could be your garden, forest, mountain, lake, hiking place, riverbank, stream, or sea.

5.       Once you visualize, start picturing the place the way you wanted. Imagine the things that you want in those places – flowers, fruits, butterflies, scent of flowers, sun, moon, stars, painting, favorite books etc.

6.       While trying to get into the calmness and sense of relaxation linger into your favorite scene for some time or as long as you want. You should feel that you are energizing, rejuvenating.

7.       When you feel energized and calm, open your eyes slowly, blink a few times and come back to the present. You can always return to your favorite scene whenever you want.

Image credit: Image by John Hain from Pixabay (cc by 0)


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Clarity Of Goals, Stress Reduction And Improved Focus

Clarity Of Goals, Stress Reduction And Improved Focus

Goal Achievement: By visualizing specific outcomes or behaviors, guided imagery can help individuals clarify their goals and reinforce positive intentions. This can be useful for personal development, sports performance, or academic achievement.

 

Stress Reduction: Engaging in guided imagery can trigger the relaxation response, which counteracts the body’s stress response. Regular practice can help reduce overall stress levels and promote feelings of well-being.

 

Improved Concentration and Focus: Guided imagery requires concentration and mental focus, which can help train the mind to stay present and attentive. This can have benefits for cognitive function and productivity.

 

Image credit: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay (CC by 0)

 


Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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