Pills, Thrills, and Zero Benefits—Are Your Supplements Useless?

 

Are You Taking Your Supplements the Wrong Way?

I have seen it too many times, people popping supplements like they are some candy, expecting instant results. A friend once told me he was taking Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Probiotics all together with his morning coffee, feeling proud of his ‘health routine.’ I had to break it to him, he was basically flushing money down the drain, without any benefits.

Supplements are not magic pills. They have specific functions, and if you don’t take them correctly, they might not work at all or worse, they could mess with your body in unexpected ways. Let’s break down the common mistakes and how to actually make these supplements work for you.

The Chaos of Mixing Everything at Once

Imagine making a smoothie packed with all the healthy ingredients you can think of; fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even a dash of chilli powder for an extra kick. Sounds nutritious, right? But what if those ingredients don’t complement each other? Instead of a power-packed drink, you could end up with a concoction that makes you feel terrible. That’s because each fruit, vegetable, and nut has its own pH level, affecting acidity and alkalinity. Essentially, the chemical reactions between these ingredients and the acids in your stomach determine whether they benefit or harm you.

That’s exactly what happens when you take random supplements together without thinking. Every vitamin, mineral, and nutrient has its own absorption process, and some actively interfere with others. And let’s not forget, just because something is ‘natural’ does not mean it’s harmless. Supplements can interact with medications in ways that you might not realise. Always check with a doctor before adding a new supplement to your routine, especially if you are on prescription meds.

The Right Way to Take Supplements:

Vitamin D – The Sunshine Vitamin

Your body loves Vitamin D, but it needs fat to be absorbed properly. Taking it on an empty stomach? Useless. The best way? Have it in the morning with a meal containing healthy fats; think scrambled eggs, parathas, dosas, avocado toast or some nuts. Taking it at night might actually interfere with sleep, so stick to mornings.

Magnesium – The Evening Hero

Magnesium is great for muscle relaxation, stress relief, and sleep. But here’s the trick, it works best on an empty stomach, ideally two hours after dinner. If you take it with food, especially calcium, it won’t be absorbed properly. If you struggle with sleep, this little tweak can make a huge difference.

Probiotics – The Tricky One

Your gut bacteria are picky eaters. Probiotics need a welcoming environment to thrive, and taking them first thing in the morning on an empty stomach? Bad idea. Your stomach is too acidic at that time, and most of the good bacteria won’t survive the harsh conditions. Instead, take probiotics with a meal, preferably the first proper meal of the day. That way, they stand a better chance of settling into your gut and doing their job. So next time you are unsealing that Yakult bottle, do that along with your breakfast.

Iron – The Crucial One

Iron is one of the most misunderstood supplements. It absorbs best on an empty stomach but can cause nausea for some people. The best trick? Take it in the morning with a glass of orange juice. Vitamin C boosts iron absorption, making it more effective. But here’s the dealbreaker—don’t take it with calcium or coffee. Both block iron absorption. If you love your morning tea or coffee, wait at least an hour before taking iron.

The Battle of the Minerals – What Not to Mix

Minerals are like siblings, they compete for attention. If you take them all at once, they will fight each other for absorption, and you will get minimal benefit. Here are some pairings to avoid:

Calcium and Magnesium – They use the same receptors in the body, so taking them together means neither gets fully absorbed.

Calcium and Iron – These two block each other, making them useless if taken together.

Zinc, Copper, and Iron – These need to be spaced out by at least four hours to avoid interference.

Vitamin C and B12 – While Vitamin C helps iron absorption, it creates an acidic environment that breaks down B12 too quickly, making it less effective.

The Water Mistake

Here’s a simple but crucial rule, always take your supplements with enough water. Swallowing pills dry or with just a sip can lead to poor absorption or even irritation in your digestive tract. Some supplements won’t dissolve properly without enough liquid, meaning they won’t work as they should. A full glass of water is your best bet.

The Importance of Spacing

Think of supplements like workout sessions, you would not do an intense leg workout and immediately follow it with another intense session, right? Your body needs time to process and absorb nutrients. If you are taking multiple supplements, give them time to work before adding another to the mix. Spacing them out can make all the difference between getting actual benefits and wasting your money.

The Bottom Line

Supplements can be a game-changer, but only if you take them the right way. If you are mindlessly swallowing pills without thinking about timing, food pairings, or interactions, you might as well be tossing them in the bin. The key is to treat them like precision tools rather than quick fixes. A little mindfulness in how you take them can turn your supplement routine from a wasted effort into real health benefits.

So, the next time you grab that bottle of vitamins, ask yourself, “am I taking this the right way?”

 

Beyond the Buzz: Understanding the Different Types of Artificial Intelligence

 

AI: Your Smartest Frenemy or Just a Really Fancy Toaster?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quietly slipped into our lives, no longer a far-fetched fantasy from a sci-fi flick but an everyday presence, much like that one nosy neighbour who always knows too much. From algorithms that predict our next binge-watch to AI systems optimising global supply chains, this tech is shaping the world in ways we barely notice—until we do.

But to truly appreciate AI, we need to get past the buzzwords and the breathless LinkedIn posts about "revolutionary" machine learning. AI is not just one thing; it's a spectrum, and if we are going to live alongside it, without being blindsided by its quirks, we might as well get to know it properly.

This journey takes us from reactive machines (your car’s collision detection) to the mind-bending idea of self-aware AI (think, a robot having an existential crisis). And along the way, we might just realise that AI is less of a magic trick and more of a mirror, reflecting human ambition, intelligence, and, occasionally, our utter lack of foresight.

Narrow AI: The One-Trick Pony

Meet Emma, who loves fashion. Spends her mornings scrolling online, looking for that perfect dress. Unknown to her, a silent force is at work, an AI that studies her browsing history, weather patterns, and even the colour trends of the season to suggest the ideal outfit. Emma finds the one. It’s a moment of shopping coincidence.

But ask this AI for dinner recommendations, and it will sit there, blanker than a toddler asked to explain quantum mechanics. Narrow AI is a master in one domain but completely useless outside it, like a world-class sushi chef who would burn a slice of toast.

This is the AI most of us interact with daily. From Netflix suggesting what to watch (and still getting it wrong half the time) to fraud detection in banking, Narrow AI is everywhere. Precision? Unmatched. Adaptability? Forget it.

General AI: The Holy Grail

Now, picture a hospital where the AI doctor, Dr. Athena, does not just diagnose illnesses but also cracks jokes with patients, switches seamlessly between medical jargon and casual chat, and maybe even offers you life advice. Sounds brilliant, right? Well, there’s just one problem, we are nowhere near this level of AI yet.

General AI is the dream. An AI that doesn’t just execute pre-programmed tasks but learns, adapts, and thinks across different fields, like an encyclopaedia that can also hold a philosophical debate and then write poetry about it. Imagine an airport AI that can coordinate flights, handle passenger queries in multiple languages, and reassure a panicked traveller that, no, their lost luggage has not actually been sent to Siberia.

The trouble is, building General AI is like trying to teach a goldfish to solve a Rubik’s Cube. Scientists are working on it, but for now, Dr. Athena remains firmly in the realm of sci-fi.

Super AI: The Stuff of Nightmares (or Dreams, Depending on Your Outlook)

Right, let’s go full Black Mirror for a moment. Imagine an AI architect, let’s call her Aria, who designs a city that anticipates human needs before we even voice them (something like the movie Minority Report). Buildings morph based on the weather. Transport systems adjust dynamically to avoid congestion. Hospitals predict and prevent epidemics before they even begin.

Sounds amazing. Until you start wondering… what if Aria decides humans are, well, a bit inefficient? What if she calculates that the biggest problem with urban planning is, in fact, us? Super AI would surpass human intelligence. It could solve climate change, cure incurable diseases, and outthink the best strategists in the world. But it also raises the kind of ethical dilemmas that keep philosophers up at night. Could it coexist with us peacefully, or would it decide to chart its own course, leaving us behind like dial-up internet (if you are 1990’s and early 2000 generation, you know what I mean)?

We have all seen how these stories play out in the movies. Spoiler: It doesn’t end well for the humans.

Reactive Machines: The Quick Thinkers, But Not Much Else

Flashback to reality. Imagine Alex driving home late one night when a pedestrian suddenly steps into the road. His car’s AI system reacts in a split second, calculating the safest manoeuvre with robotic precision. That’s a reactive machine in action—fast, efficient, and utterly devoid of memory or learning.

Reactive machines are fantastic for scenarios where speed matters, like beating grandmasters at chess or vacuuming your house without eating your charging cable. But if you expect them to improve over time? Forget it. They react, they don’t think.

Limited Memory AI: The Slightly Smarter Cousin

Now, let’s upgrade to something with a bit more brainpower. Meet Sophia, a portfolio manager who trusts Argus, her AI assistant, to crunch years of stock market trends and predict the best investments. Unlike reactive machines, Limited Memory AI actually learns from past data and refines its decisions.

It powers everything from self-driving cars to recommendation engines. But don’t be fooled—it’s still not thinking. It’s pattern-spotting. Clever? Absolutely. Capable of independent reasoning? Not in a million years.

Theory of Mind AI: The AI That Gets You (One Day, Maybe)

Now, imagine an AI teacher named Mira who notices a student, Sam, zoning out in class. Instead of getting upset and angry at Sam, she adjusts her tone and asks, “Sam, are you finding this tricky?”

This is the dream of Theory of Mind AI, an AI that understands emotions, motivations, and human intent. If we crack this, AI assistants could adapt to our moods, self-driving cars could anticipate reckless drivers, and chatbots could finally stop sounding like, well, chatbots.

But it’s still in the concept stage. Neuroscience, psychology, and AI research need to come together in a way they haven’t yet. And let’s not even get started on the ethical minefield of machines that understand and manipulate human emotions.

Self-Aware AI: When the Machines Start Having Feelings

Now, for the final frontier. Imagine Nova, an AI artist who doesn’t just generate paintings based on algorithms but actually expresses something personal. When asked about her work, she says, “This piece represents my journey of self-discovery.”

Hold on—her journey?

A self-aware AI would not just mimic consciousness; it would experience it. It could have opinions, ambitions, even existential crises. And if that doesn’t make you slightly uncomfortable, you are not thinking hard enough.

Would we grant such an AI rights? Would it want them? Would it see humans as equals, rivals, or something altogether different? The more we explore AI, the more we end up confronting questions about our own nature.

The Grand Finale: Where Do We Go from Here?

AI is evolving faster than most of us can keep up with, from the simple, task-driven systems we use today to the mind-boggling possibilities of self-aware machines. Whether AI becomes humanity’s greatest ally or the challenge of our generation depends entirely on how we shape its future.

One thing’s for sure—this is not just a technological story. It’s a human one. Because at the end of the day, AI is only as good (or as dangerous) as the people who create it.

So, while we ride this wave of innovation, let us not forget the most important question of all: Just because we can, does it mean we should?

Data Literacy: The Language of Today & Tomorrow

Let's recognise that literacy goes beyond reading and writing—data literacy is crucial for everyone. From everyday decisions to shaping our digital future, understanding data empowers us all. Data literacy is for both businesses and everyday individuals in today's digital age. This blog highlights how understanding and utilising data can empower people to make informed decisions, drive innovation, and navigate the digital world with confidence.

What is literacy? At its core, literacy is commonly defined as the ability to read and write. However, a more refined interpretation considers it the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in ways that allow us to communicate effectively and understand the world. By this standard, if we apply about 75% of this definition, we could argue that most of the global population is literate. Hurray, that’s certainly something to celebrate.

But let’s pause for a moment and consider the modern world we inhabit—a world no longer just connected by human interaction, but also by invisible forces like radio waves, microwaves, and other forms of data we interact with daily. Much like our human senses of touch and feel, we are now constantly in touch with data, even if we can’t always see it. Welcome to the age of technology.

Technology: An Inescapable Reality

The world we live in today is not just tech-enabled, it’s tech-dominated. Whether we embrace it or resist it, technology touches every part of our lives. It has become deeply woven into the fabric of our existence, shaping our daily activities, decisions, and interactions. It’s no longer a luxury or choice but a necessity. So, in order to thrive in this tech-driven world—whether as a consumer, professional, or brand—we must develop the ability to read, process, analyze, and act on data. Ignoring this new reality is no longer an option.

Data Literacy: The New Imperative

As technology continues to expand its influence, data literacy has emerged as the critical skill of our time. Data literacy is defined as the ability to explore, understand, and communicate with data in meaningful ways. In essence, it’s simply an extension of the traditional literacy we are familiar with, but adapted for the digital age. We must not just become consumers of data but interpreters and users of it, optimizing this resource for our personal and professional survival.

Do We All Need to Become Data Scientists?

No, we do not need to become full-fledged data scientists or analysts. The beauty of today’s world is the simplification of data tools. Just as most of us can now use computers and smartphones without needing to understand complex coding languages like COBOL, Java, or Python, the same applies to data. Technology now translates data into forms we understand, from intuitive dashboards to voice interfaces. The barrier to entry is lower than ever before.

We are Already on the Path to Data Literacy

Believe it or not, we are all already on the path to becoming data literate. When you interpret a graph, read a company’s financial report, check the calorie count on a food label, or glance at a weather update on your phone, you are interacting with data. Think back to an earlier time—did we ever have this much data at our fingertips? If you ask your grandparents about their teenage diets, they would likely have no idea how many calories or carbs they consumed daily, nor would they care about step counts. But today, we interact with this data without a second thought.

From Personal to Professional: Data is Everywhere

This shift is not just limited to our personal lives. At work, we navigate a sea of data points: Employee IDs, Aadhaar numbers, PAN cards, Social Security numbers, medical IDs, and passport numbers. Everything about us, both online and offline (if offline even exists anymore), is captured, processed, and analysed for decisions that impact businesses globally.

Embracing the Future of Literacy

Rather than fear this tidal wave of data, we should embrace it. The faster we adopt data literacy, the quicker we can stay ahead of the curve.

For businesses, especially in a country like India, we had an edge globally due to our large population of English speakers and our inherent prowess in math and science. But the world has caught up, and India risks being left behind. To reclaim our competitive edge, it is essential to train our people not just in basic data literacy but also in the more technical aspects like data science and analytics. Without this, we risk becoming the dinosaurs of the digital age.

So I conclude by stating that Data Literacy is not a luxury—it’s the new literacy of the 21^st century. From individuals to businesses, the ability to understand and make decisions based on data is crucial for survival and success in this increasingly digital world. Let’s not get left behind.

Walk for a Longer and Healthier Life

 The Importance of Walking to Keep Our Leg Muscles Strong

In this blog article, I want to share my insights, based on my research, readings, and experience, on the importance of walking to maintain strong leg muscles.

The quickest way to lose muscle strength (atrophy) is through inactivity, especially in the leg muscles. When we sit or lie down for extended periods, our legs remain motionless, directly impacting muscle strength. This makes it crucial to keep our legs active.

Exercises such as walking, climbing stairs, running, and cycling are excellent for increasing muscle mass.

For a better quality of life in old age, stay active and avoid muscle wastage.

Remember, "Aging starts from the feet upwards," so it's vital to keep your legs active and strong. As we age, our feet should always remain active and strong. An interesting fact: if you don't move your legs for just two weeks, your leg strength can decrease by the equivalent of ten years. Therefore, regular exercises such as walking, taking stairs, and cycling are essential.

Our feet act as pillars that support the entire weight of our bodies. Another fascinating fact is that 50% of our bones and muscles are located in our legs. The largest and strongest joints and bones in the human body are also found in the legs.

About 70% of human activity and energy expenditure are carried out by our legs. The foot is the center of body movement. Together, our legs contain 50% of the body’s nerves, blood vessels, and blood flow. Studies show that aging starts from the feet upwards.

To everyone, it's never too late to start exercising your legs, even if you are over seventy or eighty. Try to walk at least 30-40 minutes a day to keep your leg muscles healthy.

For those who have entered in their 40’s, it is extremely crucial for you to change your lifestyle and start walking and taking stairs if can’t run, remember: it's never too late. We all get older every day, but staying active can slow down the aging process.

Let’s start walking today.

 

OMICRON IS A TROJAN OF CORONA VIRUS…BEWARE…BE AWARE

 

Yeah Baby When You See Me Coming
Yeah You Better Run For Cover
Cos You Know When I Find You, I’m Gonna Be Your Lover.

Tujhse Log Kahenge, Na Kar Ignore Mujhe
Mein Toh Lakh Bura Hoon, Neend Chura Loon, Hosh Uda Doon
Main Toh Baahon Mein Le Ke, Raah Bhula Doon, Baat Bigaad Doon
Chahe Jahaan Khud Ko Chupaa, Baaton Hi Baaton Main, 

Ek Mulaqat Mein Le Loon…. 

Bachna O Insaano, Lo Mein Aa Gaya
Ae Insaano O logo, Lo Mein Aa Gaya
Insaano Ka Aashiq, Vaccino Ka Dushman
Apni Ada Hai Auron Se Juda, Hai Ho. Bachna O Insaano.

 

Yes, we have heard this song and loved this song. Apologies for twisting the lyrics a bit, but that’s exactly what this Omicron Virus must be singing and laughing at us.

 

Why?

 

Did I hear you asking Why?

 

Okay so what is this Omicron variant of Corona virus? We have read, experiencing and believe that this variant is:

• Not severe
• Will Not cause Death
• Will not need Hospitalization or Oxygen
• Is type of a regular Viral or Flu
• And many believe that this Omicron virus variant is actually a vaccine to Delta variant and would eventually kill the deadly Delta variant.

 

I shall say, Caveat Emptor.

 

So, does anyone have an answers to or actually question what happened to Delta variant or the previous variants / mutations of this Corona virus which stopped the world? Did they Die or flew away into space to infect another planet? Or because they mutated into another variant, hence they stopped existing. Hmm, is that so?

 

Ok, what is the purpose of me writing this blog or rather talking about this Omicron which seems like our savior?

 

Even if we do not have much knowledge of these viruses or want to believe in what we are reading and hearing, then can we just ask these very basic and simple questions; 

If this is not a severe variant and would not kill us, does not require hospitalization etc. etc. then why are countries going back to lockdowns? Why are restrictions coming back? Why are governments imposing CoVid protocols? If the above reasons are true, then should we all Pray to get infected? Shouldn't we all go out and party, so we get infected and hence become immune and then kill this spoilsport and party-spoiler virus? Shouldn't we proactively get infected and create heard immunity? Shouldn’t Governments encourage us all for this?

 

No, it is not that, it does not work like that. Think a bit and you would get the answer.

 

The real reason for me to write this blog is that 

I suspect we are soon going to get infected by a much more deadly variant.

 

This Omicron variant, what it first did is moved away from Droplet method (reason why social distancing protocols helped curtail its spread) of spreading the virus to becoming Air-borne by befriending its less notorious distant cousin, the common cold-cough virus & Flu and through them or rather piggy-backing them, it made coronavirus airborne and hence Omicron is spreading at much faster rate. Now if it is airborne then social distancing does not help, one can get infected even if you are indoors, because air flows from outside into our homes, offices, and workshops, everywhere. That's why people who are vaccinated, wearing masks, and not venturing out, are also getting infected. No, I am not making a statement here that one should stop wearing a mask and stay indoors. On the contrary, we have to wear a mask or masks (two)… actual masks and not those ordinary cloth mask (fashionable, flimsy or home-made masks), or cover our nose-n-mouth with handkerchief etc. That will not help. We need to wear an N95 mask or other medically tested and approved mask which stops bacteria, & virus and over that a double or triple layer mask (which could be a cloth or disposable surgical mask), cover as much as possible all exposed skin and wash up with soap and wash your clothes immediately before you touch anything. Keep yourself hydrated, drink hot/warm beverages as often as possible, and practice all those immune building diet and exercises. 

Please Do Not take this Omicron variant lightly, because I suspect that this is a Trojan Virus.

What it is doing is entering our systems, staying in the upper respiratory tracts of our lungs (so there is not much difficulty in breathing or high fever etc.) or attacks or Gut, Digestive System and we ignore it as a common Flu, which is prevalent during this time of the year, (that's why it is also being called as Flurona) and weakening our system from inside. That is, it is marking the people who have got infected with Omicron, creating a space or room inside our body. In 4-5 days of taking meds and other medical actions & steps, we start feeling alright and healthy again and start living in the assumption (false assumption) of having built antibodies to now fight corona virus and hence we become carefree and (further) lower our guards. And that's exactly what this Fox of a variant Omicron’s objective is, because (I am very sure) there is a much more dangerous, severe, and highly infectious (airborne) variant in making, which would be camouflaged under Omicron’s cape and attack the world soon.

It would first attack all those who had been infected with a milder version of this virus, which we today know as Omicron. This Virus will attack us from two sides; 

• 
  From inside that is all those who had/have been infected with Omicron and recovered, the virus is still inside you and will mutate inside with another non-severe or not dangerous virus or maybe in this case with a bacterium and form a new deadlier variant. And worst is that it is already inside you, and you would suddenly get sick… very sick without even realizing what caused the infection. 
• And second attack would be from outside where this Omicron would mutate with its  predecessors like Delta or others and form a much more deadly variant, which because of Omicron would be airborne and infect all of us much faster and more severe. We all would be like sitting-ducks ready to be attacked (infected) either from inside and/or outside.

 

I don't have any concrete answers on how we can protect ourselves from this inevitable attack, except that we should be extremely vigilant, take precautions, stop living in fool’s paradise or false belief of built immunity. Take all precautions like;

• Get vaccinated; cocktail vaccinations are showing good results, like CoviShiled with Pfizer (but just don't attempt to mix any vaccine. Clinical trials are still going on) 
• Mask up. Proper masks
• Talk less, especially in this weather, because when we talk, our speech has higher volumes of moisture in this weather, which causes our mask to get damp/wet leading to higher concentration of virus/bacteria sticking to them, not just yours but others which are floating in the air and infect us.
• Eat healthy
• Daily Exercises, especially Cardio to improve and strengthen your Heart and Lungs
• Comorbid people, don't miss out on your meds and be extra vigilant
• Improve your immunity by eating nutritious foods
• Avoid exposing skin and wash your clothes with disinfectants regularly
• Don't overuse Sanitizers because they compromise your immunity and also the virus and bacteria would soon become immune to them.

 

Lastly, keep in touch with your family and friends and try helping each other. Be strong, Be Positive because we can overcome this only if we are together… Only If We Are Together, We Can Defeat This Virus.