By – Dr. Sarbajit Ray,Consultant Physician,ILS Hospitals, Salt Lake

Recently it’s observed that an increasing number of young people are reporting fatty liver. Fatty liver typically can be caused by Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or Alcohol related fatty liver.

The increase in NAFLD in the young population is worrisome.

NAFLD could be due to lifestyle factors, particularly poor diet and sedentary behavior. Increased consumption of sugary drinks and processed foods, combined with a lack of physical activity, leads to fat accumulation in the liver.

Metabolic syndrome, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are major risk factors for NAFLD. Genetic factors and insulin resistance increase the risk manifold.

1. Lifestyle Factors:

Poor Diet:
Processed food and fast foods are high-fat, high-sugar diets, especially high in refined carbohydrates and saturated fats. These foods overwhelm the liver’s ability to process and break down fats.
Sedentary Lifestyle:
Lack of physical activity contributes to weight gain and fat accumulation, including in the liver.
Obesity:
Excess body weight, particularly abdominal fat is strongly associated with NAFLD.

2. Metabolic Factors:

Metabolic Syndrome:
This condition, characterized by obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar, is a major risk factor for NAFLD.
Insulin Resistance:
When the body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin, it can lead to elevated blood sugar and fat levels, increasing the risk of fatty liver. Indians are particularly prone to have insulin resistance which increases the risks.

3. Other Factors:

Genetic Factors: Some individuals may have a genetic predisposition to developing NAFLD.
Rapid Weight Loss: Rapid weight loss also can trigger fat release into the bloodstream, potentially leading to fatty liver.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption: While usually associated with alcoholic liver disease, excessive alcohol intake also contributes to fatty liver.

The bottom line is prevention . Adoption of Lifestyle modifications, Regular exercise coupled with a healthy diet will help in reversing the damage. And of course consult your physician.

24th June’2025: Chile is globally recognised for its premium-quality produce, thanks to its unique climate and geographical diversity. Among its celebrated exports, Chilean Kiwifruit stands out not only for its exceptional taste but also for its powerful nutritional benefits.

To raise awareness about the health advantages of this superfruit and establish a deeper connection with Indian consumers, Frutas de Chile has launched a dedicated promotional campaign across India, ‘The Power of Vitamin C, Fresh from Chile!’ celebrating both taste and nutrition of Chilean kiwifruits.

Known as one of the most nutrient-dense fruits, Chilean Kiwi is a powerhouse of essential vitamins and minerals. It is especially rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, actinidin, potassium, and folate. Just one serving provides a remarkable 117% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C and 21% of dietary fiber. It is also a good source of potassium and vitamin E, making it a smart and wholesome addition to daily diets.

Talking about the health benefits, Ms. Rima Rao, dietitian and nutritionist, said “Chilean kiwi is a smart choice for those looking to support digestive health naturally. Its rich fiber content and the enzyme actinidin help improve digestion, support gut health, and may even aid in better blood sugar regulation.”

“One bite of a ripe Chilean kiwi gives you more vitamin C than an orange and more potassium than a banana, that’s nature’s multivitamin!” added Ms. Rao.

Mr Carlos Cruzat, President of the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee said “We are truly delighted with the overwhelming response to Chilean Kiwifruit in India. Health-conscious Indian consumers have embraced the fruit for its exceptional quality, great taste, and nutritional value. Our campaign is focused on deepening this connection and bringing the fruit closer to consumers across the country.”

Mr. Sumit Saran, In-Country Market Representative of Chilean Kiwis, said, “Consumers in India are constantly looking for fruits that builds their immunity. Through various activities and campaigns, we aim to increase awareness about health, taste and versatility of Chilean kiwifruits. Chile, a country in South America is one of the largest producers of premium kiwifruits in the world.’

“With strong support from our trade and retail partners, we’re making Chilean Kiwifruit available in more cities across the country. And with Chile’s preferential trade agreement with India, it’s also become more affordable for Indian consumers, added Cruzat.”

Chilean Kiwifruits will be widely available across India for the next three months. Consumers can easily purchase them from local fruit stores or online through leading e-commerce and q-commerce platforms.

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20th June 2025 – In a world of constant motion, this yoga day, Swastik Wellbeing Sanctuary echoes the call to pause, breathe, and reconnect. Nestled in the serene embrace of Pune’s Peacock Valley, Swastik announces a soul-nourishing 4-day yoga programme, From Asanas to Awareness – Yoga Comes Alive at Swastik. Honouring the International Yoga Day, this immersive experience from June 20 to 23, 2025, blends ancient yogic wisdom with modern practices to align body, mind, and spirit.

Led by expert yoga teachers and holistic therapists, the programme is thoughtfully designed to guide seekers through dedicated daily themes: Ground and Begin, Flow and Expand, Restore and Reflect. The four-day programme will include special sessions like Ariel Yoga, 108 Surya Namaskars, Yoga Nidra, and a talk on Yoga for Holistic Health. From Hatha Yoga, Aqua Yoga, and Breathwork to Resonance Therapy, Pranic Energisation, and Sonorium Meditations, each experience is designed to deepen seekers presence and elevate awareness.

At the core of the experience stands Dhyan Vihar-the calming dome and inner refuge of Swastik-where quiet meets purpose. Ringed by Nakshatra Van, a star-sign garden, it creates a vibrant, charged space for honest self-reflection and meshes body and mind with nature’s natural beat.

This one-of-a-kind yoga celebration is more than just a physical practice. It’s an invitation to soften, stretch, and surrender. To rise not just in posture but in presence. With a conscious blend of community, stillness, and connection, seekers will leave feeling balanced, replenished, and aligned with their inner rhythm.

New Delhi, 20th June 2025 — With a vision to fix India’s fragmented patient journey, Pristyn Care is redefining what healthcare should feel like—personal, dignified, and seamless. Today, the company surges beyond its Delhi roots, unveiling three new hospitals in Gurgaon, Hyderabad, and Kochi simultaneously.

This expansion lifts Pristyn Care’s hospital network to eight facilities—just four months after the launch of its first own hospital. The combined clinical estate now spans 200,000 sq ft and houses 400 beds, 20+ modular operating theatres, and more than 50 ICU bays, backed by 550+ doctors, nurses, and allied professionals.

Pristyn Care has already engineered a unified digital backbone—electronic medical records, real-time protocol alerts, seamless insurance rails, one-tap cashless approvals, express-discharge tooling, and 45-minute automated labs. Integration teams are now mapping each new hospital’s existing systems to this platform so that, over the coming months, they will evolve into fully fledged smart facilities where clinicians spend less time on logistics and more time at the bedside.

Dr Vaibhav Kapoor, Co-founder at Pristyn Care, said, “We’re not starting from scratch; the technology is built and live. Our next task is to weave it into every new hospital so patients experience shorter waits, clearer communication, and truly joined-up care.”

Dr Garima Sawhney, Co-founder Co-founder at Pristyn Care, “Whether in a Tier-I metro or a Tier-II city, patients can count on the same promise—minimally invasive treatments and a digitally integrated journey that prioritises healing.”

City-Specific Highlights:

Gurgaon: Strengthens neonatal and women’s health capabilities across NCR. With this launch, Pristyn Care now operates six hospitals across the NCR region.

Hyderabad: Introduces computer-navigated joint replacements and 24×7 trauma care

Kochi: Offers advanced emergency medicine and a riverside rehab wing, eliminating the need for Kerala-based patients to travel to metro cities

These three new hospitals together add approximately 90,000 sq ft of space

The company’s first Delhi hospital reached double-digit profitability within eight weeks, a feat rare in an industry where breakeven typically takes 12–24 months. Net Promoter Scores have climbed by 10 points, underscoring patient appreciation for Pristyn Care’s tech-enabled approach.

These milestones fuel a broader mission: bringing high-quality secondary care deeper into Tier-II and Tier-III towns. On the strength of early results, Pristyn Care remains on track to operate 50 hospitals by FY 2028, with the next wave headed to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune.

Chennai, 19th June, 2025: MGM Healthcare successfully performed a Transnasal Endoscopic Repair of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leak from a herniated brain inside nose with Skull Base Defect Reconstruction on a one-year-old child from Odisha. , marking a rare and complex intervention in pediatric endoscopic skull base surgery. This surgery was done using duragen, a collagen-based biomaterial, instead of a traditional autograft. The surgery was uneventful, the patient was discharged 48 hours post-surgery.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage occurs when there is a defect or tear in the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, allowing the clear, cushioning fluid to escape from its normal pathways. When such a leak occurs at the skull base, it can lead to nasal discharge, recurrent infections, and breathing difficulties.The presence of congenital meningomyocele inside the nasal cavity proved to be the biggest surgical challenge . The condition is extremely rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 10,000 cases.

In this case, the child had been experiencing multiple episodes of brain fever, persistent CSF leakage and complete nasal blockage for nearly six months, due to a congenital skull base defect. This is a rare condition where the base of the skull does not fully develop during the growth period. If left untreated may lead to life-threatening complications due to the exposure of prolapsed meninges herniating into the nasal cavities from above. It was left undiagnosed and untreated till the pertinent investigations clinched the diagnosis. In the earlier visits to the hospitals, the baby was treated conservatively in the hope that mouth breathing would abate as the age progresses.Finally , a proper evaluation led to the diagnosis of this clinical entity.

The intra operative innovation using collagen based artificial dura eliminated the requirement for a secondary surgical site, thereby reducing surgical invasiveness, an important consideration in pediatric surgical care. In such an underweight child, especially , during the growth phase , it’s important to preserve the existing anatomy to the extent possible.

Prof. Dr. Sanjeev Mohanty, Senior Consultant and Head of the Department, Institute of ENT, MGM Healthcare said, “Navigating through a narrow transnasal route in a one-year-old child with such a high-risk skull base defect is always a surgical challenge. This case reinforces the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention. Open surgical approaches in such cases can be highly morbid. However, by employing the endoscopic technique along with advanced biomaterials, we were able to minimize scarring, ensure faster recovery, and reduce the overall surgical burden on the child.”

Using advanced high-definition endoscopic imaging technology, Dr. Mohanty and his team successfully navigated the infant’s extremely narrow nasal passage to locate and repair the skull base defect with high precision.

This case also underscores the value of cadaveric dissection-based training and continual upskilling in endoscopic skull base approaches, which enhance surgical precision and enable safer, more effective treatment of rare and complex cases like this one.

Bengaluru, 19th June, 2025: In a rare and complex surgical feat, doctors at Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, have successfully reattached the foot of a 23-year-old woman, Pavithra, following a devastating road traffic accident (RTA) that resulted in a traumatic foot-level amputation.

The incident occurred on May 14th, when Pavithra was riding pillion with a family member on a two-wheeler and was involved in a collision that led to the complete severing of her foot. Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind, her family quickly retrieved and preserved the amputated limb in a clean, cool condition and rushed her to Narayana Health City within the critical golden window of six hours.

What followed was an intricate, high-stakes surgical procedure led by Dr. Ravi D R, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, supported by a specialised trauma and microsurgical team. The surgery, which lasted several hours, involved meticulous repair of crushed bone, arteries, veins, nerves, and tendons to restore the limb’s viability.

“Foot re-implantation surgeries are extremely rare, especially in cases involving severe crush injuries,” said Dr. Ravi. “Most such injuries are considered unfit for reattachment. However, quick-thinking action by the patient’s family, combined with our team’s preparedness, surgical precision, coordinated care, and overall medical excellence, made this extraordinary outcome possible.”

This case is medically significant not only due to the complexity and rarity of foot re-implantation but also because it demonstrates the level of coordinated trauma care that is available in select advanced centres. To the team’s knowledge, this is the first such successful foot re-implantation performed at their unit since 2018.

Pavithra is currently recovering well under close observation, with early signs of success and the initiation of physiotherapy for rehabilitation. Her case underscores the importance of public awareness in post-amputation first aid—prompt transport, proper preservation of the limb, and immediate medical intervention, which can make the difference between permanent disability and functional recovery.

5th June 2025: The fruit powder market is experiencing remarkable growth, fueled by rising consumer interest in health and wellness, especially within the functional food industry. Functional foods, which provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, have become a significant trend worldwide. As consumers increasingly seek convenient, nutritious, and natural products, fruit powders have emerged as an essential ingredient in functional foods, beverages, dietary supplements, and nutraceuticals. This blog delves into the dynamics of the fruit powder market, its rising demand in the functional food sector, key applications, drivers, trends, challenges, and future outlook.

According to Persistence Market Research, global fruit powder market is anticipated to reach a value of US$ 62.2 Bn by 2025. It is projected to witness a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period to reach a size of US$ 96.1 Bn by 2032.

What is Fruit Powder and Why is it Gaining Popularity?

Fruit powder is a dehydrated form of fruit that retains much of the original fruit’s flavor, color, nutrients, and bioactive compounds. Produced through various drying techniques like spray drying, freeze drying, and drum drying, fruit powders offer a longer shelf life, easier storage, and convenient usage compared to fresh or frozen fruit. They are versatile and can be incorporated into multiple product formulations without compromising taste or nutritional value.

The surge in demand for fruit powders can be attributed to the growing preference for natural, clean-label ingredients in the food and beverage sector. Consumers are increasingly avoiding synthetic additives and seeking products enriched with vitamins, antioxidants, and dietary fibers—qualities abundant in fruit powders. Functional foods utilize these benefits by incorporating fruit powders to enhance health attributes and offer added value.

Drivers Behind the Growing Demand for Fruit Powder in Functional Foods

• Health and Wellness Awareness: With rising awareness of lifestyle diseases and the importance of preventive healthcare, consumers are gravitating towards foods that offer added health benefits. Fruit powders are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fibers, making them ideal for functional food formulations aimed at improving immunity, digestion, and overall well-being.
• Convenience and Shelf Stability: Unlike fresh fruits, fruit powders do not spoil quickly and require minimal storage conditions. This convenience supports manufacturers in developing ready-to-eat and ready-to-drink functional food products that cater to busy lifestyles.
• Clean Label and Natural Ingredients Trend: The modern consumer demands transparency and natural ingredients in their food choices. Fruit powders, being natural and minimally processed, align perfectly with the clean-label trend in functional foods.
• Versatility Across Product Categories: Fruit powders can be easily blended into a variety of functional food products including smoothies, cereals, snack bars, bakery items, dairy products, and beverages. Their ability to impart flavor, color, and nutrition without compromising product texture makes them highly attractive to product developers.
• Rising Demand for Plant-Based Products: The shift towards plant-based diets is propelling the use of fruit powders in vegan and vegetarian functional foods. They provide essential nutrients and sensory appeal in plant-based protein shakes, dairy alternatives, and meal replacements.
• Technological Advancements in Processing: Advances in drying and encapsulation technologies have improved the quality and nutrient retention of fruit powders, enabling manufacturers to deliver superior products to the functional food market.

Key Functional Food Applications Utilizing Fruit Powder

• Nutritional Supplements and Powders: Fruit powders are widely used in dietary supplements for their concentrated nutrient profile. These supplements often target immune support, antioxidant supplementation, or energy enhancement.
• Beverages and Smoothies: Functional beverages incorporating fruit powders offer natural flavor and health benefits. Fruit powders enable the creation of ready-to-drink juices, protein shakes, and herbal infusions that are both nutritious and appealing.
• Snack Foods and Bars: Fruit powders add natural sweetness, flavor, and nutrition to energy bars, granola bars, and baked snacks. Their inclusion helps manufacturers meet consumer demand for healthier snacking options.
• Dairy and Plant-Based Alternatives: Fruit powders are used to enhance yogurts, flavored milk, kefir, and dairy-free alternatives like almond or oat milk, enriching the taste and nutritional profile.
• Bakery and Confectionery: Functional bakery products benefit from fruit powders which improve color, aroma, and nutritional content without artificial additives.
• Cereals and Breakfast Products: Inclusion of fruit powders in breakfast cereals and granola delivers vitamins and antioxidants while enhancing product flavor.

Trends Driving Innovation in Fruit Powder Usage

• Clean Label and Organic Fruit Powders: There is growing demand for organic and non-GMO fruit powders to cater to consumers seeking natural and ethically sourced ingredients.
• Exotic and Superfruit Powders: Functional foods increasingly incorporate powders from exotic fruits like acai, maqui berry, mangosteen, and baobab to capitalize on their perceived superfood status and high antioxidant content.
• Customization and Targeted Nutrition: Manufacturers are formulating functional foods with fruit powders tailored for specific health benefits such as gut health, heart health, cognitive function, or weight management.
• Sustainability and Waste Reduction: Fruit powders made from surplus or imperfect fruits support sustainability initiatives by reducing food waste and creating value-added ingredients for the functional food industry.
• Clean and Simple Formulations: Functional food producers emphasize minimal ingredient lists and transparent sourcing, with fruit powders helping deliver natural flavor and color without artificial chemicals.
• Innovative Delivery Formats: Fruit powders are being incorporated into new formats such as instant mixes, sachets, and edible films to enhance consumer convenience and product appeal.

Challenges Faced by the Fruit Powder Market in Functional Foods

• Nutrient Degradation During Processing: Although fruit powders retain many nutrients, some sensitive vitamins and phytochemicals may degrade during drying and storage, potentially reducing the functional efficacy of the finished product.
• Flavor Stability: Maintaining the natural flavor and aroma of fruits in powder form can be challenging, as exposure to heat, oxygen, or moisture may lead to off-flavors or loss of sensory quality.
• Cost and Pricing Pressure: High-quality fruit powders, especially those that are organic or derived from exotic fruits, may come at a premium price, impacting affordability for mass-market functional foods.
• Regulatory Compliance: Functional food manufacturers must navigate complex regulations regarding health claims and ingredient safety. Ensuring fruit powders meet these standards while supporting functional claims can be a hurdle.
• Supply Chain and Seasonality: Availability of raw fruits for powder production is often seasonal, and disruptions in supply can affect market stability and pricing.

Future Outlook and Market Opportunities

The fruit powder market’s growth trajectory in the functional food industry remains strong, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological progress, and expanding applications.

• Increased Product Launches: The next few years will see a surge in functional food products formulated with fruit powders, ranging from immunity boosters and digestive aids to beauty-from-within supplements.
• Expansion in Emerging Markets: Rising health consciousness and disposable incomes in emerging economies present new growth avenues for fruit powder-based functional foods.
• Advanced Processing Techniques: Innovations such as vacuum freeze drying, microencapsulation, and nanoencapsulation will improve nutrient retention and flavor stability, enhancing product quality.
• Collaborations and Partnerships: Fruit powder manufacturers are likely to collaborate more with functional food brands to develop tailored ingredients that meet specific health and sensory requirements.
• Digital and E-commerce Channels: Online retail and direct-to-consumer models will facilitate greater accessibility and awareness of fruit powder-based functional foods, driving demand further.
• Focus on Personalized Nutrition: Personalized nutrition trends will encourage formulations featuring fruit powders customized to individual health needs, preferences, and genetic profiles.

Conclusion

The surge in demand for fruit powders in the functional food industry reflects a broader consumer movement toward healthier, natural, and convenient nutrition solutions. Fruit powders bring immense value by delivering concentrated nutrition, flavor, and color while aligning with clean-label and sustainability trends. Their versatility across a wide range of functional food applications—nutritional supplements, beverages, snacks, dairy alternatives, and bakery products—positions them as a vital ingredient for the industry’s growth.

Chennai, 28^th May 2025: Antara Senior Care, India’s leading provider of holistic senior–care solutions and a wholly owned subsidiary of Max India Limited, has launched the first of its care homes in Chennai. The ~30,000 sq. ft., 43-bed facility on East Coast Road (ECR) addresses the growing demand for specialized senior care. It offers assisted living for seniors who need support with daily activities, as well as rehabilitative and recovery services for those recuperating after major health events.

Chennai is one of India’s leading medical tourism hubs. It draws a significant number of domestic medical tourists with its robust medical infrastructure, and attracts a large number of international patients, many among them seniors. However, despite the strong medical setup, the infrastructure that aids structured recovery and rehabilitation remains underdeveloped. Additionally, Chennai has a growing population of senior citizens, underlining the urgent need to create systems that support those without relevant care backup at home to regain health with ease and dignity.

Ishaan Khanna, CEO, Antara Assisted Care Services, said, “With the launch of our new Antara Care Home on the East Coast Road, we are excited to bring to Chennai a facility that is built to deliver the highest standard of rehabilitative and recuperative care to seniors, as well as assisted living services for those requiring long-term support. Antara‘s commitment to high-quality clinical governance in coordination with the treating doctor, and professional caregiving is directed to help residents get the support needed to tide over health setbacks, even when they live independently. For those needing ongoing assistance with daily activities, our assisted living solutions provide a secure, dignified environment with 24/7 professional care. We aim to provide seniors and their children a stress-free recovery experience and quality assisted living option in an environment built around their needs.” 

New Delhi, 27th May ’25: The Association of Healthcare Providers – India (AHPI) the largest representative of private hospitals in the country, in collaboration with MedLern, a leading digital learning and training platform for healthcare professionals,  hosted a System Integration Digital Health (SIDH) Class in Bhopal at Enrise by Sayaji. The workshop engaged over 150 healthcare CXOs from 80+ hospitals and institutions, reinforcing the growing momentum for digital transformation in India’s healthcare ecosystem.

This one-day workshop was a part of Koita Foundation’s ongoing initiative to enable healthcare providers—particularly those in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities—to adopt digital tools and improve service delivery. The session focused on practical applications and implementation strategies for technologies such as Hospital Management Information Systems (HMIS), Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), and clinical decision-support systems.

Participants at these workshops gain a leadership perspective with digital solutions designed to enhance patient care, streamline hospital workflows, and strengthen institutional resilience. In addition, discussions addressed common barriers to digital adoption and explored pathways to long-term digital maturity in healthcare.

Dr. Sunil Khetarpal, Director, AHPI, shared “System Integration Digital Health (SIDH) is an initiative developed by Koita Foundation and PwC in association with AHPI, which has consistently been committed to capacity building across the healthcare sector. Operating through its 20 state chapters, AHPI has already trained over 250 healthcare professionals from more than 120 hospitals across four states—Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Karnataka. The goal is to expand these workshops to various cities across the country.

This time, AHPI and MedLern have partnered to bring digital health education to the forefront and make it more accessible to healthcare providers beyond the major metropolitan areas. Over 150 registrations were recorded for the workshop in Bhopal, thanks to the strong support of the AHPI Madhya Pradesh Chapter, MedLern and the MP Nursing Home Association (MPNHA). 

The Association of Healthcare Providers – India (AHPI), a key partner in this initiative, emphasized the importance of strengthening digital capabilities across hospitals of all sizes.

Mr. Deepak Sharma, Co-Founder & CEO of MedLern, stated “This collaboration with Koita Foundation and AHPI is a testament to our shared vision of transforming healthcare through continuous learning and digital readiness. We are creating a local network and ecosystem in each city to provide ongoing support and knowledge resources to Hospital CXOs to help them approach digital transformation with confidence. Indian healthcare’s opportunity to achieve significant gains in patient care and delivery efficiency is possible only with rapid digitization.”

The session focused on serving as a platform for peer learning, allowing professionals to exchange insights and rethink traditional care models in light of emerging technologies. With a strong emphasis on real-world impact, the workshop highlights the role of knowledge-sharing in driving systemic change.