How do you modify your Indian diet if you have high blood pressure? What if you have Type 2 Diabetes? How do you tackle the excess weight in your body? What makes a healthy diet? Is there a thing like cancer prevention? These were some of the questions that were answered by a distinguished and impressive panel of speakers, Dr Rekha Sunder, Swati Elavia and Dr Purnima Sangal at Lowell recently.

The event titled ‘Take charge of your Personal Health’ was an initiative launched by AASRA, the women’s support group as part of its series on Women’s Well Being Initiative designed to meet health related needs.

Kamal Misra, AASRA Board member spoke on the activities of the group. Emphasizing that the group’s main thrust has always been on trust and reliability, she said that it provides assistance and help in rebuilding strength and resources to those in need. “ The AASRA center in Woburn is a 24 hour line for support and assistance. People who seek help are assured the highest degree of confidentiality because we understand the sensitivity of the situation and family dynamics” , she said. The group also holds seminars, panel discussions, workshops, life skill mentoring, conversational English and help in resumes for job interview.

Dr Rekha Sunder, Family Health Center, Billerica, Dr Purnima Sangal, A Women’s Place, Chelmsford and Swati Elavia, Dietician, Somerville were the Speakers for the afternoon. While Dr Sundar touched upon taking charge of your Personal health through diet, exercise and regular check ups, Dr Sangal spoke on reducing therisk of cancer especially on Breast Cancer precautions and care. She urged everybody to see a PCP, a Gynecologist and test for a mammogram without fail. Swati Elavia, Dietician said many women always neglected their bodies and the first step to is to take care of themselves. She gave some very interesting figures and facts on the Indian Diet. Her informative talk included reading the nutrition label on foods and noted that the Indian Diet has undergone changes since coming into this country.

Some pointers that collectively emerged during the talk were:

• BMI or Body mass Index to classify Overweight and Obesity.
• The more complex foods you eat, the more calories you need to burn.
• Make an appointment with your doctor today
• Take care of yourself first.
• Moderation is the key word – Do not eat if you are not hungry.
• The longer we live here in this country,we need to watch our eating habits.
• Eat slowly and chew your food.
• Eat small meals at regular intervals.
• Listen to your body and do what works best or you.

The three speakers, also distributed valuable information on these issues. Kumkum Dilwali,AASRA volunteer introduced the speakers of the day while Archana Singhal, Dr Sukanya Ray, Anu Bandopadhya, Jean Patel and other members of AASRA greeted the guests. Saroj Patel of Patidar Samaj was present with some guests from Lowell.

The next AASRA Women's Well-being Initiative is planned for September 18 in Cambridge.For more information go to http://www.aasranewengland.com

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