Description
Life insurance (or commonly Life assurance, especially in the Commonwealth) is a contract between an insured (insurance policy holder) and an insurer or assurer, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money (the "benefits") upon the death of the insured person.
What is Life Insurance
Life insurance is a guarantee that your family will receive financial support, even in your absence. Put simply, life insurance provides your family with a sum of money should something happen to you. It thus permanently protects your family from financial crises. In addition to serving as a protective cover, life insurance acts as a flexible money-saving scheme, which empowers you to accumulate wealth-to buy a new car, get your children married and even retire comfortably. Life insurance also triples up as an ideal tax-saving scheme. To know more, read the Key Benefits of Life Insurance
Key Benefits of Life Insurance Life insurance, especially tailored to meet financial needs Need for Life Insurance
Today, there is no shortage of investment options for a person to choose from. Modern day investments include gold, property, fixed income instruments, mutual funds and of course, life insurance. Given the plethora of choices, it becomes imperative to make the right choice when investing your hard-earned money. Life insurance is a unique investment that helps you to meet your dual needs - saving for life's important goals, and protecting your assets. Let us look at these unique benefits of life insurance in detail.
Asset
Protection
From an investor's point of view, an investment can play two roles - asset appreciation or asset protection. While most financial instruments have the underlying benefit of asset appreciation, life insurance is unique in that it gives the customer the reassurance of asset protection, along with a strong element of asset appreciation. The core benefit of life insurance is that the financial interests of one’s family remain protected from circumstances such as loss of income due to critical illness or death of the policyholder. Simultaneously, insurance products also have a strong inbuilt wealth creation proposition. The customer therefore benefits on two counts and life insurance occupies a unique space in the landscape of investment options available to a customer. Goal based savings
Each of us has some goals in life for which we need to save. For a young, newly married couple, it could be buying a house. Once, they decide to start a family, the goal changes to planning for the education or marriage of their children. As one grows older, planning for one's retirement will begin to take precedence. Clearly, as your life stage and therefore your financial goals change, the instrument in which you invest should offer corresponding benefits pertinent to the new life stage. Life insurance is the only investment option that offers specific products tailormade for different life stages. It thus ensures that the benefits offered to the customer reflect the needs of the customer at that particular life stage, and hence ensures that the financial goals of that life stage are met. The table below gives a general guide to the plans that are appropriate for different life stages.
Life Stage Young & Single Young & married Married kids Just
with
Middle aged with grown up kids Across stages all life-
Life Insuarance Product Asset creation Wealth creation plans Asset creation &Wealth creation protection and mortgage protection plans Children's Education education, Assetinsurance, creation andmortgage protection protection & wealth creation plans Planning forRetirement retirement & assetsolutions & protection mortgage protection Health plans Health Insurance Primary Need
To find out, which ICICI Prudential plan will best suit your requirements, play the Wheel of Fortune game by clicking here
Human Life Value What is your Human Life Value?
Beyond all doubt, your life is invaluable. Yet, there is a certain worth that can be attributed to the financial support you offer your parents, spouse or children. This worth is referred to as Human Life Value (HLV). In the future, if your family does not have the protective blanket of your presence, they will no longer be able to enjoy the benefits of the income you earned. Put simply, Human Life Value is the present value of your future earnings.
Why should you calculate your Human Life Value?
You should calculate your Human Life Value so you can accordingly invest in insurance plans that provide your family with adequate finances and hence security even in your absence.
How do you determine your Human Life Value?
Your Human Life Value is determined by 3 factors: 1. Your age 2. Current and future expenses 3. Current and future income As a thumb rule, if you are 30 years of age, you should insure yourself for an amount approximately 8 times your annual income. At 35, your investment should be close to 6 times your income. Of course, the exact amount of your investment should be determined by the number of people who depend on you, your existing investments and your life stage. For example, if you are 30 years of age and have two children and parents to provide for, the amount you invest should be reflective of your requirements.
Calculate your Human Life Value NOW
Use our quick and easy Human Life Value Calculator to determine your Human Life Value and the corresponding amount you should invest. Start right away! Life Stage Profiler All through your life, several significant events the birth of your child, moving to a larger home, his or her education and wedding, buying a new car, retiring from work will occur at various stages and demand your financial commitment. If you plan in advance for these events, you will quite naturally be prepared when they occur. Life insurance is an effective tool that assists you to plan for your future such that you are financially equipped to meet all your goals.
Our special tool, the Life Stage Profiler, assists you to plan for a secure financial future. Please use the tool, right away! Which important goals should you plan for in advance? 1) Your family's protection - so that your loved ones are secure should an unfortunate event happen to you. Life insurance can guarantee that your family receives a lumpsum that safely tides them over any financial crises that might occur in your absence. 2) Child's education: As parent, your primary responsibility is to guarantee your children's future. Our Education Insurance plans ensure your child receives money at key stages of his or her education even in your absence. 3) Savings: Savings plans allow you to steadily save towards a pre-decided goal in a secure manner. These plans provide you with a host of benefits. You can choose the premium, the underlying fund in which you want to invest your money, the ratio between protection and investment as per your requirements. 4) Retirement: Retirement plans help you secure guaranteed income for your retired life. During the Accumulation phase, you systematically save while you are working. When you retire, the Payout stage of the plan begins. You then purchase an annuity, which will serve as a steady stream of income, for the rest of your life. 6) Health: An integral part for financial planning is protecting oneself against any medical emergencies as well. Hence, a very prudent decision would be to choose a combination of plans that look after your finances and offer you a protective health cover to ensure your financial planning is in track despite any major illnesses. ICICI Prudential offers 3 comprehensive benefit-based products that cover major critical illnesses.
Types of Insurance Plans - Traditional or Unit Linked
Insurance Plans At a glance
Broadly, insurance plans can be distinctly divided into ULIPs and traditional plans. A brief detail of both segments:
Unit Linked Insurance Product
ULIPs have gained high acceptance due to attractive features they offer. These include: 1. Flexibility 1. Flexibility to choose Sum Assured. 2. Flexibility to choose premium amount. 3. Option to change level of Premium /Sum Assured even after the plan has started. 4. Flexibility to change asset allocation by switching between funds 2. Transparency 1. Charges in the plan & net amount invested are known to the customer 2. Convenience of tracking one’s investment performance on a daily basis. 3. Liquidity 1. Option to withdraw money after few years (comfort required in case of exigency) 2. Low minimum tenure. 3. Partial / Systematic withdrawal allowed 4. Fund Options 1. A choice of funds (ranging from equity, debt, cash or a combination) 2. Option to choose your fund mix based on desired asset allocation
Traditional Plans These are the oldest types of plans available. These plans cater to customers with a low risk appetite. Some of the common features of traditional plans are: 1. Steady Investment 1. Major chunk of investible funds are in debt instruments 2. Steady and almost assured returns over the long term 2. Features 1. Death benefit is Sum Assured + guaranteed & vested bonus 2. Helps in asset creation as they are for a long tenure 3. Premium to Sum Assured ratios are fixed for each plan and age. 4. Generally withdrawals allowed before maturity are not
Life Insurance Plans On the basis of which life stage you are in and the corresponding insurance needs, ICICI Prudential plans can be categorized into the following three types: Education Insurance Plans Wealth Creation Plans Premium Guarantee plans Protection Plans
Education Insurance Plans
One of your most important responsibilities as a parent is to ensure that your child gets the best possible education that can be provided. ICICI Prudential offers a wide portfolio of education insurance plans that are designed to provide peace of mind to you, as a parent, that your child's education will be secure. These plans ensure that money is made available at the crucial junctures in a child's education Class X, Class XII, graduation and post-graduation - to fund crucial commitments for the child's future. Importantly, education insurance plans ensure that in the unfortunate event of the death of a parent, the child's education continues unhampered. Under the education insurance plans platform, ICICI Prudential brings the following products to you. Please click on the product name to know more about the plans. Plan Name SmartKid Regular SmartKid Single New New Unit-linked Premium Unit-linked Premium Plan Type Unit Linked Unit Linked Traditional
SmartKid Regular Premium
Wealth Creation Plans Wealth Creation Plans give the customer the dual benefit of protection along with the potentially higher returns of market-linked instruments. The most important benefit of ULIPs is the flexibility they give the customer in choosing
the premium amount and also choosing the underlying fund in which this money is to be invested. Wealth creation plans also offer the customer more liquidity options as compared to traditional plans. As such, ULIPs are ideal for customers who want the protection of a life cover to be allied to the returns of market linked instrument – giving them an unmatched combination of benefits. Under the wealth creation platform, ICICI Prudential brings the following products to you. Please click on the product name to know more about the plans. Plan Name Plan Type
LifeTime Super LifeLink Super PremierLife Gold LifeTime Plus
Unit Unit Unit Unit Linked
Linked Linked Linked
Premium Guarantee Plans The latest addition to the life insurance product portfolio of ICICI Prudential is the Premium Guarantee plan InvestShield Life New. Premium Guarantee plans are the ideal insurance-cum-investment option for customers who want to enjoy the potentially higher returns of a market linked instrument, but without taking any market risk. Under the Premium Guarantee Plans platform, ICICI
Prudential brings to you the following products: Plan Name InvestShield Life New InvestShield CashBak Plan Type
Unit Linked Unit Linked
Protection Plans The sole objective of these plans, as their name indicates, is to serve the protection needs of the customer and by doing so, safeguard one’s family from the financial implications of unfortunate circumstances than one cannot foresee. Under the Protection Plans platform, ICICI Prudential brings to you the following products: Plan Name LifeGuard Save'n'Protect CashBak Home Assure Plan Type
Traditional Traditional Traditional Traditional
RETIREMENT PLANS:
Why is retirement planning important? Retire from work. Not from life. A retirement plan is an assurance that you will continue to earn a satisfying income and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, even when you are no longer working. To understand why an increasing number of individuals have already started planning for their retirement, and why you should too, read on. Independence is the new way of life: An increasing number of young Indian professionals are moving away from the traditional joint family structure. Since support no longer comes easily, parents have realized the need to provide for themselves during their retirement years. Costs set to soar: Skyrocketing costs throw even a well-salaried person off balance. With rates rising everyday, you can imagine how high they will be when you are ready to retire. A retirement plan provides you with a steady income every month, to arm you in the face of rising costs. To understand how inflation can impact your monthly expenses, use our special tool, the Inflation Index calculator. Non-earning retirement phase is now longer: Only 4% of India working population- mostly government employees – are covered by pensions. The remaining 96% comprises self-employed and salaried professionals who do not have a formal, mandated provision for pensions. ICICI Prudential offers two key retirement plans, LifeLink Super Pensionand LifeTime Super
Pension - flexible income cum insurance plans that ensure you meet all your retirement requirements. So you can retire peacefully from work, but not from life. Read more about LifeLink Super Pension and LifeTime Super Pension here.
Why start planning for retirement right away? Both Ramesh and Vikram want to retire at the age of 60 years. To take care of his post-retirement requirements, Ramesh invests a total amount of Rs. 35 lakhs towards his retirement corpus. On the other hand, Vikram invests a total of Rs 50 lakh towards his retirement. Despite investing less, Ramesh accumulates Rs 298 lakh, compared to Vikram's accumulation of Rs 216 lakh!. Read on to find out how.. What Ramesh had in his favour was TIME. He began investing a sum of Rs 1 lakh p.a. earlier, at the age of 25 years, up to the age of 60. Ramesh, to compensate for lost time, saved twice the amount invested by Ramesh i.e. Rs. 2 lakhs every year from the age of 35, till the age of 59 years. It is for this precise reason you should plan for your retirement now-and not later; so you get the advantage of investments that multiply quickly each year, giving you the added advantage!
The graph above shows the retirement amount both Ramesh and Vikram accumulate by the age of 60 years. Please note: The assumption is that both investments appreciate at the rate of 10% per annum.
How to plan for retirement? 5 simple steps to arrive at an ideal retirement plan Step 1: Decide how much income you require to live comfortably in your post-retirement years. Remember to take into account aspects like increased medical costs, vacations and gifts for family, but reduce costs like children's education and rent, if you own your home. Use our easy Inflation Index Calculator to calculate the impact of inflation. Step 2: Determine how much you need to save regularly, starting today. Use our Retirement Calculator to determine how large a kitty you will need and how much you need to save each year. Step 3: Select the right retirement plan that enables you to meet your post-retirement requirements. Preferably invest in market-linked plans, which can provide you with potentially higher returns in the long run. Our Life Stage Profiler will help you select the plan that meets your criteria Step 4: Start saving now so you have time on your side and can enjoy the power of compounding. Use our simple Power of Compounding Calculator. Step 5: Systematically invest a fixed amount every month for your post-retirement years.
Types of Insurance Plans - Traditional or Unit Linked
Insurance
Plans
-
At
a
glance
Broadly, insurance plans can be distinctly divided into ULIPs and traditional plans. A brief detail of both segments:
Unit Linked Insurance Product
ULIPs have gained high acceptance due to attractive features they offer. These include: 1. Flexibility 1. Flexibility to choose Sum Assured. 2. Flexibility to choose premium amount. 3. Option to change level of Premium /Sum Assured even after the plan has started. 4. Flexibility to change asset allocation by switching between funds 2. Transparency 1. Charges in the plan & net amount invested are known to the customer 2. Convenience of tracking one’s investment performance on a daily basis. 3. Liquidity 1. Option to withdraw money after few years (comfort required in case of exigency) 2. Low minimum tenure. 3. Partial / Systematic withdrawal allowed 4. Fund Options 1. A choice of funds (ranging from equity, debt, cash or a combination) 2. Option to choose your fund mix based on desired asset allocation Traditional Plans These are the oldest types of plans available.
These plans cater to customers with a low risk appetite. Some of the common features of traditional plans are: 1. Steady Investment 1. Major chunk of investible funds are in debt instruments 2. Steady and almost assured returns over the long term 2. Features 1. Death benefit is Sum Assured + guaranteed & vested bonus 2. Helps in asset creation as they are for a long tenure 3. Premium to Sum Assured ratios are fixed for each plan and age. 4. Generally withdrawals allowed before maturity are not
Types of annuity An annuity is a series or stream of payments. In the context of retirement planning, an annuity is a contract between you and the insurance company under which the insurance company promises pays you money for a stipulated period-often for life. You, the person receiving the payments, is the "annuitant". Types of annuity options offered by ICICI Prudential: Life Annuity: In this plan, you receive annuities for as long as you live. Payments are no longer made after your demise. Life Annuity with Return of Purchase Price: You receive annuities for as long as you live and your nominee receives the purchase price of the policy after demise. The
purchase price refers to the value of your investment corpus at the end of the accumulation phase (with which the annuity was purchased). Life Annuity Guaranteed for 5, 10 and 15 Years and Life Thereafter: You receive annuities for a minimum term i.e. 5, 10 or 15 years. Annuities continue for life thereafter. If death occurs before the end of the pre-decided term, the company pays the annuity till the end of that term to the nominee. Joint Life, Last Survivor Annuity without Return of Purchase Price: Both your spouse and you will receive annuities for life. Joint Life, Last Survivor Annuity with Return of Purchase Price: Both your spouse and you will receive annuities for life. After this, the purchase price is returned to your nominee. Read more about ICICI Prudential unit-linked LifeTime Super Pension, LifeLink Super Pension, ForeverLife, & Immediate Annuity plans, right now. Retirement Solutions To cater to the needs of a customer looking for retirement planning, ICICI Prudential presents a wide array of products. These products have been designed to take into account the diverse set of needs that characterize individual customers. Please click on the plans to know more about them and identify which plan is just right for you.
Plan Name LifeTime Super Pension LifeLink Super Pension ForeverLife Immediate Annuity
Plan Type Unit Linked Unit Linked Traditional Traditional
HEALTH PLANS: Healthy Living It is the aim of all of us to lead a long and illness free life. Today this has become possible thanks not just to Medical Technologies that are able to identify and effectively treat many diseases but also because a great deal of knowledge has become available on how healthy lifestyles can help us live longer. Healthy living, getting plenty of exercise, eating right and leading a stress free life are to a large extent responsible for increasing life spans. In this world of instant food and instant fads what constitutes healthy living? The key to Healthy Living comprises of Nutrition Exercise for the Mind & Body Home Care Healthy Living : Nutrition We all know that certain types of foodstuffs are healthier than others and we are forever being warned about the dangers of eating Junk food. So, what are the types of foods and their nutrient powers? How healthy are some of the common foods that we eat?
Food Types and Nutrients Food can be classified according to their functions: Energy giving Body building Protective and regulatory Energy Giving Foods keep us supplied with energy and are typically Carbohydrates. Body Building Foods are the Proteins that are useful in developing Muscle mass and act as the building blocks of the body Protective and Regulatory Foods are Micronutrients, Minerals and Vitamins that play an important role in fighting disease and regulate the metabolic functions of the body. Major food types and their nutrient constituents: Food Type Nutrients Present Powers Examples Rice, Wheat, Ragi, Bajra, Jowar, Corn and products made from these such as cereal flakes, noodles, macaroni, bread and cakes Black,
Major Cereal carbohydrate Energy and Millet source; Alsogiving provides fat
Pulse,
Major proteinBody
Red and Green source; Also gram, Lentil andprovides fat building bengal Legume and gram, carbohydrate peas and rajma Milk, Major protein Body Cheese, Milk andsource; Also building, Paneer , its provides fat Energy butter & products and giving other milk carbohydrate products Ground nut, Major fatEnergy cashew Nuts andsource; Alsostoring, nut, Oilseed provides Body walnut, protein building pistachio and badam. Groundnu t oil, coconut oil, Fat andMajor fatEnergy sesame Oil source storing (gingelly) oil, sunflower oil, butter and ghee Vegetable Major sourceProtectiv Green s of vitaminse &leafy and minerals Regulato vegetable ry s spinach, lettuce, coriander and mint. Roots beetroot,
carrot and radish. Tubers potatoes, yams, onions and. Other vegetable s cucumber , tomato, ladies finger and brinjal. Yellow and orange fruits papaya and mango. Citrus Protectiv fruits Major source e &oranges, Fruits of vitamins Regulato lemons. and minerals ry Dry fruits figs, dates, raisins. Other fruits banana, pineapple , grapes. Herbs, Phytochemic Fenugree Condimen als k, ts and Turmeric, Spices tamarind, cloves, cardamo
Meat, Poultry and Seafood
m, cinnamon and pepper. Mutton, major protein Chicken, Body source; also eggs, fish, building, provides a crab, energy significant Lobsters storing amount of fat and shrimp.
Healthy Living : Exercise for Mind and Body Fitness Yoga Fitness: A healthy adult needs a fitness programme that is a mix of three types of exercises. Aerobic Strength Stretches. or Training or Cardiovascular. Muscular Fitness.
2 line descriptors for cardiovascular, strength and stretch excercise. Ideally, you should work out for an hour thrice a week. After a warm up you can do twenty minutes of cardiovascular exercises, twenty minutes of strength exercises, stretch exercises for ten minutes and then warm down. A fitness schedule helps you look good and improves selfesteem. If you fall ill, you recover faster. You cope with stress better. You age actively. You are able to take care of yourself much longer into old age. Fitness is essentially, optimising your mental and physical potential.
You can find more information here ^Top Yoga: Yoga is recommended as a regimen that helps both the body and the mind. Two of the eight limbs of yoga commonly practiced are: Asana: These are not just a set of exercises or positioning of the body. They are the complete relaxation of the cells of the brain and activation of the cells of the bodily organs. Pranayama: Prana means all forms of energy - cosmic energy, mental energy, sexual energy and physical energy. It is loosely translated as breath. Ayama is control; so, pranayama is control or discipline of breathing to raise oneself to a state of silence and recharge. Yoga in the modern day content: The Muscles and joints: A sedentary work style and improper sitting postures result in many working professionals being prone to cervical spondylitis, low backache and knee disorders. Yogic asanas like Tadasana and Ustrasana strengthen and tone the joints and muscles very well and helps you avert these conditions . The Heart and circulation: High levels of stress increases risk of a heart attack. Unhealthy habits of drinking and smoking lead to elevated blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. Yogic asanas like Dhanurasana and Tuladandasana helps you improve the blood flow to different parts of the body and prevent blockages in the circulation. The Lungs: pranayama is useful to prevent allergic disorders and also protects the lungs against harmful effects of passive smoking. Pranayama is valuable in harnessing the large amount of energy that the modern
lifestyle needs. A minimum of fifteen minutes pranayama every day will prove highly beneficial.
of
The Digestive and excretory systems : Unhealthy eating habits (irregular meals, hotel meals that have high fat and many chemical additives like food colors, soda, preservatives etc) affect the metabolism of the body, which could result in ulcers, diabetes, hypertension and problems of weight regulation. Yogic Asanas like Pavanamuktasana and Utkatasana help control problems of hyperacidity (which could lead to ulcers) by soothing the cells in stomach lining. Kidney functions can also be stimulated with Asanas like Trikanasana . The Nervous system: The nervous system is most easily affected by hectic lifestyles. Regular, daily exercise provides extra energy to tide over the day's strain, both mentally and physically. Yoga strengthens immunity, as the nerves are made strong by all asanas. The EndocrineGlandular System: Constant travel and late nights are some of the factors that alter the functioning of the endocrine glands. Proper rest at the right time rejuvenates the cycle. Optimum recharging of energy levels is thus ensured. Appropriate asanas refresh the endocrine glands by bathing them in fresh blood. They can prevent jet lag as extra energy is available to the mind and the brain. The Immune System Lack of sleep is one of the most potent forces generating stress on the immune system, weakening the functioning of the cells. Improper diet is another cause for ill-health of the immune system. All asanas are helpful. Pranayama is valuable for the immune system. Please learn and perform asanas under the supervision of a trained yoga professional You can find more information here Healthy Living - Home Care
Personal Hygiene is the first step to good grooming and good health. Quite often , good looks are the result of careful and continuous grooming. It impacts on the perception of the individual in the society. It gives you self-confidence and helps you create a positive impression both in your professional and personal life. Every external part of the body demands a basic amount of attention on a regular basis. Here are some grooming and personal care routines. Eyes Hair Skin Teeth Hands & Nails Feet Eyes An annual eye examination is advisable. Avoid rubbing or squeezing your eyes often. If there is significant irritation in the eyes, consult your eye doctor. Avoid looking directly at the sun, welding electrodes or any other source of very bright, intense light. Try to watch television from a minimum of six screen lengths from the set, which is the recommended distance. Also avoid watching television for long hours. If you have any systemic diseases like hypertension or diabetes, see your eye doctor. The eyes are very often damaged in these conditions and early detection and treatment is crucial. Do not use excessive eyeliners or other makeup material for the eye. Some of these could irritate and cause problems for the eye. ^Top
Hair Wash your hair at least once a week using soap or mild shampoo. Dry your hair after a wash. Brush your hair three to four times a day with a soft bristled brush or a wide toothed comb. Wash your brush and comb every time you wash your hair. Oil the scalp, once a week, preferably an hour before hair wash. ^Top Skin Soap and water are essential for keeping the skin clean. A good bath once or twice a day is recommended. The genitals and the anal area need to be cleaned well because of the natural secretions of these areas can cause irritation and infection. Wash off well after soaping. Drying with a clean towel is important. Avoid sharing soaps and towels. Around middle age the skin tends to go dry a bit. A moisturising oil or cream (preferably used during the night)can be used to avoid this. ^Top Teeth Brush teeth twice a day and rinse well after every meal. Brushing before going to bed is important. While brushing, brush down on the upper teeth and brush up on the lower teeth. Use a circular motion. Pay attention to the tongue and the inner surface of teeth as well.
Use a brush with resilient bristles. It should be rinsed well and left to dry after use. Use a toothpaste without harsh abrasives or strong antiseptics. ^Top Hands & NailsEyes Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after every meal and after visiting the toilet. Soaping and rinsing should cover the areas between fingers, nails and back of the hand. Hands should be dried with a clean towel after wash. If you need to use a handkerchief or tissue, wash your hands after that. Keep your nails short. Nail Polish users should see that it does not chip off into the food. Clip nails short, along their shape. Don't cut them so close that it pinches the skin. A healthy body ensures healthy nails. Brittle or discoloured nails show up deficiencies or disease conditions. Do not keep your nails painted continuously. It causes the keratin, of which nails are made, to split. ^Top Feet Give your feet a good scrub with a sponge, pumice stone or foot scrubber that is not made of very abrasive material when having a bath. Dry after bath between toes. Keep toenails clipped.
Those who use shoes constantly need to slip them off now and then. This airs the socks a bit and makes them less smelly. Wear cotton socks. Wear a clean pair everyday. Powder your feet before wearing socks. Many people have sweaty feet, and socks and shoes can get quite smelly. Give importance to wearing comfort in the choice of footwear. For those who go barefoot indoors, door mats must be cleaned or changed frequently. Extra foot care is required for diabetics. Healthy Living - Expert Speak In this month's Expert Speak the focus is on the prevention of cancer. Can a healthier diet help in preventing cartain types of cancer? While we do know that we are genetically prone for certain cancers can this risk be modified? Let's ask the experts to know more: Dr.Vikram Ananthakrishnan, General Surgeon explains between Diet and Cancer: M.S.D.N.B., FRCS, Noted the possible connection
What is the role of diet in Cancer? Diet, which is rich in fats, is a cause for Cancer of the colon and Breast Cancer: Fat and Colon Cancer Fats are difficult to digest. They require more of bile salts to digest them. These bile salts along with the fat come in contact with the inside of the colon (mucosa)and they induce Cancer formation. This alarming trend is now seen in our population that seems to be embracing the western diets and habits. Fat and Breast Cancer
In obese individuals there is more conversion of Cholesterol into estrogens (female sex hormone). This hormone is one of the causative agents in Breast Cancer. Do vegetables and fruits prevent Cancer? Vegetables and fruits contain vitamins and antioxidants that prevent the growth of Cancer. They also help in the immunological surveillance of Cancer (body's defence mechanism). This is similar to the defence against infections. The immune mechanism will destroy what it finds abnormal. They also contain fibre that helps to prevent Colon Cancer. A high fibre diet prevents Colon Cancers because it dilutes the Cancer-causing irritant and also makes the motion move faster. Are there any protective genes against Cancers? There are protective genes against Cancers. Do people with lower immunity develop Cancer? Defective immunity is a cause for Cancer. What is the role of genetics in Colon Cancer? People who have polyps (outgrowths) in the colon, which is carried by a defective gene, can develop Colon Cancer. This can run in families and can be prevented by removing either the polyp or the colon depending on the type of involvement. Screening for Colon Cancers Colon Cancers can be picked up on doing a test called colonoscopy. Here a tube is passed through the anus after the colon is completely evacuated of all motion (faeces). Colon Cancer’s symptoms are diarrhoea alternating with constipation, anaemia, blood in stools, weight loss and loss of appetite.
Dietary patterns have changed. Has this had an impact on Cancers of the stomach? There seems to be an increase in the incidence of Cancer of the upper end of stomach. The Cancer of the lower part of stomach (closer to the small intestine) also called antrum of stomach is decreasing in incidence. The Cancer of upper stomach and lower oesophagus are associated with rich diets, smoking and alcoholism. (Also called diseases of the affluent.) These factors cause reflux of the stomach contents into the lower part of food pipe (oesophagus). This in turn causes Cancer of the lower end of food pipe (oesophagus) and upper stomach. Incidentally both the treatment and outcome of both these diseases are similar. What causes (Antral) lower end stomach Cancer? One of the causative agents for lower end of stomach Cancer is deep fried food; especially those fried with recycled oils. This is commonly seen in our country where we use plenty of oil say to fry puris or chips and use this same oil to fry some other food. In medical parlance this causes increase in the amount of nitrogenous compounds and this causes Cancers. Screening for stomach Cancers Stomach can be screened using a test called endoscope. This is a flexible tube which is passed through the mouth after the patient has fasted for 6 hours. How does stomach Cancer manifest? Anaemia, loss of appetite, loss of weight, and malaise can be noticed in people with Stomach Cancer. If the Cancer is located in the upper end it presents as difficulty in swallowing.Cancers in the lower end of the stomach present as vomiting. Is there some thing we could do to prevent Cancer? There is no surefire preventive measure. But it is good to remember the following:
- Fruits and vegetables decrease the susceptibility to Cancer. - Fatty foods, especially of animal origin, are harmful. - Look for warning signs. Undertake regular screening for Cancer. Early detection increases your chances of control and cure. - Prevent environmental pollution and guard yourself against polluted environments. Dr. Vikram Ananthakrishnan M.S., D.N.B., F.R.C.S. Dr.Vikram Ananthakrishnan completed his M.S. in General Surgery from the Grant Medical College, Bombay and then his Diplomate of The National Board, India (D.N.B). He completed his F.R.C.S. from Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow, U.K. Dr.Vikram is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of General Surgery at Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai. He is also a visiting consultant at The Apollo Hospitals, Chennai. His special area of interest is laparoscopic surgery, colon & rectal surgery. 5 reasons why health covers are a must A health cover insures you against several illnesses and guarantees you stay financially secure should you ever require treatment. The cover ensures you are taken care of by compassionate and competent doctors at the best hospitals. It thus safeguards your peace of mind, eliminates all worries about treatment expenses, and allows you to focus your energy on more important things, like healing. Indians at greater risk Reason 1: Lifestyles have changed: Indians today suffer from high levels of stress. Long hours at work, little exercise, disregard for a healthy balanced diet and a consequent dependence on junk food have weakened our immune systems and put us at an increased risk of contracting illnesses.
Reason 2: Rare non-communicable diseases now common: Obesity, high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks, which were earlier considered rare, now affect an increasing number of urban Indians-almost every day.
Shocking Truths
18% of the urban population suffers from hypertension, which leads to renal failure, stroke and cardio vascular diseases 30% of the population suffers heart attacks before age 40 66% of deaths today are due to cardio vascular diseases Almost 3.5 million Indians suffer from diabetes Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) like heart disease and stroke are the main causes of death and disability
The Cost Factor Reason 3: Medical care is unbelievably expensive: Medical breakthroughs have resulted in cures for dreaded diseases. These cures, however, are available only to a select few. High operating expenses—therapy for breast cancer costs as much as Rs. 2 lakhs for 3 days —have restricted treatment to the richest. In fact, even among the affluent groups, 20% need to sell their valuable assets so they can accumulate the required amount for their medication. Reason 4: Indirect costs add to the financial burden: Indirect sources of expense—travel, boarding and lodging, and even temporary loss of income—account for as much as 35% of the overall cost of treatment. Most often, we overlook this fact when planning for medical expenses.
Reason 5: Incomplete financial planning: Most of us have insured our home, vehicle, child’s education, and even our retirement years. Ironically however, we have not insured our health. We ignore the fact that illnesses strike without warning—and seriously impact our finances and eat into our savings in the absence of a good health cover. Health cover: A must-have
No financial plan is complete without a comprehensive health cover. ICICI Prudential offers 3 critical illness covers: HealthAssure, HealthAssure Plus and Cancer Care. Each of these plans provides you with guaranteed sums should you ever be diagnosed with a critical illness. The benefit amount takes care of all your treatment costs and ensures your hard-earned savings stay intact.
Are you adequately insured? Sound health cover planning ensures you receive both, direct medical expenses and indirect expenses, as soon as the need arises. When investing, choose a range of health plans that: Cover a wide spectrum of medical conditions from the most basic to the most critical Include reimbursement and benefit-based plans, which
enable you to meet specific health risks and expenses as mentioned in the diagram below
An example: Cancer—although it does not occur as frequently as the common cold or fever—severely drains one’s finances as its treatment expenses are very high. Hence, it is imperative to insure ourselves with a health plan that provides cover against Cancer. Quick When selecting a health plan, ensure the plan: Provides long-term coverage Clearly mentions exclusions of cover Is guaranteed renewable Is backed by trusted name and gives the assurance of paying claims Health Product Suite Health Product Suite: Under Health Product Suite, ICICI Prudential offers plans under the following major need categories: HealthAssure HealthAssure Plus Hospital Care Cancer Care Cancer Care Plus tip
Diabetes Care Diabetes Care Plus Cancer Corner The majority of cancers that occur in India are preventable or curable if detected in the early stages. Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, findings note: “With our existing knowledge and resources 50% of cancers that occur in India can be prevented. Over 50% of cancers in men are tobacco oriented. They are due to chewing tobacco or smoking. Over 50% of cancers in women are uterine cancers. And both these groups of cancers are preventable." You can know in detail about: Cancer Cancer Prevention Major Cancers amongst women facts Treatment Cancer
of Cancers
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Life insurance (or commonly Life assurance, especially in the Commonwealth) is a contract between an insured (insurance policy holder) and an insurer or assurer, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money (the "benefits") upon the death of the insured person.
What is Life Insurance
Life insurance is a guarantee that your family will receive financial support, even in your absence. Put simply, life insurance provides your family with a sum of money should something happen to you. It thus permanently protects your family from financial crises. In addition to serving as a protective cover, life insurance acts as a flexible money-saving scheme, which empowers you to accumulate wealth-to buy a new car, get your children married and even retire comfortably. Life insurance also triples up as an ideal tax-saving scheme. To know more, read the Key Benefits of Life Insurance
Key Benefits of Life Insurance Life insurance, especially tailored to meet financial needs Need for Life Insurance
Today, there is no shortage of investment options for a person to choose from. Modern day investments include gold, property, fixed income instruments, mutual funds and of course, life insurance. Given the plethora of choices, it becomes imperative to make the right choice when investing your hard-earned money. Life insurance is a unique investment that helps you to meet your dual needs - saving for life's important goals, and protecting your assets. Let us look at these unique benefits of life insurance in detail.
Asset
Protection
From an investor's point of view, an investment can play two roles - asset appreciation or asset protection. While most financial instruments have the underlying benefit of asset appreciation, life insurance is unique in that it gives the customer the reassurance of asset protection, along with a strong element of asset appreciation. The core benefit of life insurance is that the financial interests of one’s family remain protected from circumstances such as loss of income due to critical illness or death of the policyholder. Simultaneously, insurance products also have a strong inbuilt wealth creation proposition. The customer therefore benefits on two counts and life insurance occupies a unique space in the landscape of investment options available to a customer. Goal based savings
Each of us has some goals in life for which we need to save. For a young, newly married couple, it could be buying a house. Once, they decide to start a family, the goal changes to planning for the education or marriage of their children. As one grows older, planning for one's retirement will begin to take precedence. Clearly, as your life stage and therefore your financial goals change, the instrument in which you invest should offer corresponding benefits pertinent to the new life stage. Life insurance is the only investment option that offers specific products tailormade for different life stages. It thus ensures that the benefits offered to the customer reflect the needs of the customer at that particular life stage, and hence ensures that the financial goals of that life stage are met. The table below gives a general guide to the plans that are appropriate for different life stages.
Life Stage Young & Single Young & married Married kids Just
with
Middle aged with grown up kids Across stages all life-
Life Insuarance Product Asset creation Wealth creation plans Asset creation &Wealth creation protection and mortgage protection plans Children's Education education, Assetinsurance, creation andmortgage protection protection & wealth creation plans Planning forRetirement retirement & assetsolutions & protection mortgage protection Health plans Health Insurance Primary Need
To find out, which ICICI Prudential plan will best suit your requirements, play the Wheel of Fortune game by clicking here
Human Life Value What is your Human Life Value?
Beyond all doubt, your life is invaluable. Yet, there is a certain worth that can be attributed to the financial support you offer your parents, spouse or children. This worth is referred to as Human Life Value (HLV). In the future, if your family does not have the protective blanket of your presence, they will no longer be able to enjoy the benefits of the income you earned. Put simply, Human Life Value is the present value of your future earnings.
Why should you calculate your Human Life Value?
You should calculate your Human Life Value so you can accordingly invest in insurance plans that provide your family with adequate finances and hence security even in your absence.
How do you determine your Human Life Value?
Your Human Life Value is determined by 3 factors: 1. Your age 2. Current and future expenses 3. Current and future income As a thumb rule, if you are 30 years of age, you should insure yourself for an amount approximately 8 times your annual income. At 35, your investment should be close to 6 times your income. Of course, the exact amount of your investment should be determined by the number of people who depend on you, your existing investments and your life stage. For example, if you are 30 years of age and have two children and parents to provide for, the amount you invest should be reflective of your requirements.
Calculate your Human Life Value NOW
Use our quick and easy Human Life Value Calculator to determine your Human Life Value and the corresponding amount you should invest. Start right away! Life Stage Profiler All through your life, several significant events the birth of your child, moving to a larger home, his or her education and wedding, buying a new car, retiring from work will occur at various stages and demand your financial commitment. If you plan in advance for these events, you will quite naturally be prepared when they occur. Life insurance is an effective tool that assists you to plan for your future such that you are financially equipped to meet all your goals.
Our special tool, the Life Stage Profiler, assists you to plan for a secure financial future. Please use the tool, right away! Which important goals should you plan for in advance? 1) Your family's protection - so that your loved ones are secure should an unfortunate event happen to you. Life insurance can guarantee that your family receives a lumpsum that safely tides them over any financial crises that might occur in your absence. 2) Child's education: As parent, your primary responsibility is to guarantee your children's future. Our Education Insurance plans ensure your child receives money at key stages of his or her education even in your absence. 3) Savings: Savings plans allow you to steadily save towards a pre-decided goal in a secure manner. These plans provide you with a host of benefits. You can choose the premium, the underlying fund in which you want to invest your money, the ratio between protection and investment as per your requirements. 4) Retirement: Retirement plans help you secure guaranteed income for your retired life. During the Accumulation phase, you systematically save while you are working. When you retire, the Payout stage of the plan begins. You then purchase an annuity, which will serve as a steady stream of income, for the rest of your life. 6) Health: An integral part for financial planning is protecting oneself against any medical emergencies as well. Hence, a very prudent decision would be to choose a combination of plans that look after your finances and offer you a protective health cover to ensure your financial planning is in track despite any major illnesses. ICICI Prudential offers 3 comprehensive benefit-based products that cover major critical illnesses.
Types of Insurance Plans - Traditional or Unit Linked
Insurance Plans At a glance
Broadly, insurance plans can be distinctly divided into ULIPs and traditional plans. A brief detail of both segments:
Unit Linked Insurance Product
ULIPs have gained high acceptance due to attractive features they offer. These include: 1. Flexibility 1. Flexibility to choose Sum Assured. 2. Flexibility to choose premium amount. 3. Option to change level of Premium /Sum Assured even after the plan has started. 4. Flexibility to change asset allocation by switching between funds 2. Transparency 1. Charges in the plan & net amount invested are known to the customer 2. Convenience of tracking one’s investment performance on a daily basis. 3. Liquidity 1. Option to withdraw money after few years (comfort required in case of exigency) 2. Low minimum tenure. 3. Partial / Systematic withdrawal allowed 4. Fund Options 1. A choice of funds (ranging from equity, debt, cash or a combination) 2. Option to choose your fund mix based on desired asset allocation
Traditional Plans These are the oldest types of plans available. These plans cater to customers with a low risk appetite. Some of the common features of traditional plans are: 1. Steady Investment 1. Major chunk of investible funds are in debt instruments 2. Steady and almost assured returns over the long term 2. Features 1. Death benefit is Sum Assured + guaranteed & vested bonus 2. Helps in asset creation as they are for a long tenure 3. Premium to Sum Assured ratios are fixed for each plan and age. 4. Generally withdrawals allowed before maturity are not
Life Insurance Plans On the basis of which life stage you are in and the corresponding insurance needs, ICICI Prudential plans can be categorized into the following three types: Education Insurance Plans Wealth Creation Plans Premium Guarantee plans Protection Plans
Education Insurance Plans
One of your most important responsibilities as a parent is to ensure that your child gets the best possible education that can be provided. ICICI Prudential offers a wide portfolio of education insurance plans that are designed to provide peace of mind to you, as a parent, that your child's education will be secure. These plans ensure that money is made available at the crucial junctures in a child's education Class X, Class XII, graduation and post-graduation - to fund crucial commitments for the child's future. Importantly, education insurance plans ensure that in the unfortunate event of the death of a parent, the child's education continues unhampered. Under the education insurance plans platform, ICICI Prudential brings the following products to you. Please click on the product name to know more about the plans. Plan Name SmartKid Regular SmartKid Single New New Unit-linked Premium Unit-linked Premium Plan Type Unit Linked Unit Linked Traditional
SmartKid Regular Premium
Wealth Creation Plans Wealth Creation Plans give the customer the dual benefit of protection along with the potentially higher returns of market-linked instruments. The most important benefit of ULIPs is the flexibility they give the customer in choosing
the premium amount and also choosing the underlying fund in which this money is to be invested. Wealth creation plans also offer the customer more liquidity options as compared to traditional plans. As such, ULIPs are ideal for customers who want the protection of a life cover to be allied to the returns of market linked instrument – giving them an unmatched combination of benefits. Under the wealth creation platform, ICICI Prudential brings the following products to you. Please click on the product name to know more about the plans. Plan Name Plan Type
LifeTime Super LifeLink Super PremierLife Gold LifeTime Plus
Unit Unit Unit Unit Linked
Linked Linked Linked
Premium Guarantee Plans The latest addition to the life insurance product portfolio of ICICI Prudential is the Premium Guarantee plan InvestShield Life New. Premium Guarantee plans are the ideal insurance-cum-investment option for customers who want to enjoy the potentially higher returns of a market linked instrument, but without taking any market risk. Under the Premium Guarantee Plans platform, ICICI
Prudential brings to you the following products: Plan Name InvestShield Life New InvestShield CashBak Plan Type
Unit Linked Unit Linked
Protection Plans The sole objective of these plans, as their name indicates, is to serve the protection needs of the customer and by doing so, safeguard one’s family from the financial implications of unfortunate circumstances than one cannot foresee. Under the Protection Plans platform, ICICI Prudential brings to you the following products: Plan Name LifeGuard Save'n'Protect CashBak Home Assure Plan Type
Traditional Traditional Traditional Traditional
RETIREMENT PLANS:
Why is retirement planning important? Retire from work. Not from life. A retirement plan is an assurance that you will continue to earn a satisfying income and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, even when you are no longer working. To understand why an increasing number of individuals have already started planning for their retirement, and why you should too, read on. Independence is the new way of life: An increasing number of young Indian professionals are moving away from the traditional joint family structure. Since support no longer comes easily, parents have realized the need to provide for themselves during their retirement years. Costs set to soar: Skyrocketing costs throw even a well-salaried person off balance. With rates rising everyday, you can imagine how high they will be when you are ready to retire. A retirement plan provides you with a steady income every month, to arm you in the face of rising costs. To understand how inflation can impact your monthly expenses, use our special tool, the Inflation Index calculator. Non-earning retirement phase is now longer: Only 4% of India working population- mostly government employees – are covered by pensions. The remaining 96% comprises self-employed and salaried professionals who do not have a formal, mandated provision for pensions. ICICI Prudential offers two key retirement plans, LifeLink Super Pensionand LifeTime Super
Pension - flexible income cum insurance plans that ensure you meet all your retirement requirements. So you can retire peacefully from work, but not from life. Read more about LifeLink Super Pension and LifeTime Super Pension here.
Why start planning for retirement right away? Both Ramesh and Vikram want to retire at the age of 60 years. To take care of his post-retirement requirements, Ramesh invests a total amount of Rs. 35 lakhs towards his retirement corpus. On the other hand, Vikram invests a total of Rs 50 lakh towards his retirement. Despite investing less, Ramesh accumulates Rs 298 lakh, compared to Vikram's accumulation of Rs 216 lakh!. Read on to find out how.. What Ramesh had in his favour was TIME. He began investing a sum of Rs 1 lakh p.a. earlier, at the age of 25 years, up to the age of 60. Ramesh, to compensate for lost time, saved twice the amount invested by Ramesh i.e. Rs. 2 lakhs every year from the age of 35, till the age of 59 years. It is for this precise reason you should plan for your retirement now-and not later; so you get the advantage of investments that multiply quickly each year, giving you the added advantage!
The graph above shows the retirement amount both Ramesh and Vikram accumulate by the age of 60 years. Please note: The assumption is that both investments appreciate at the rate of 10% per annum.
How to plan for retirement? 5 simple steps to arrive at an ideal retirement plan Step 1: Decide how much income you require to live comfortably in your post-retirement years. Remember to take into account aspects like increased medical costs, vacations and gifts for family, but reduce costs like children's education and rent, if you own your home. Use our easy Inflation Index Calculator to calculate the impact of inflation. Step 2: Determine how much you need to save regularly, starting today. Use our Retirement Calculator to determine how large a kitty you will need and how much you need to save each year. Step 3: Select the right retirement plan that enables you to meet your post-retirement requirements. Preferably invest in market-linked plans, which can provide you with potentially higher returns in the long run. Our Life Stage Profiler will help you select the plan that meets your criteria Step 4: Start saving now so you have time on your side and can enjoy the power of compounding. Use our simple Power of Compounding Calculator. Step 5: Systematically invest a fixed amount every month for your post-retirement years.
Types of Insurance Plans - Traditional or Unit Linked
Insurance
Plans
-
At
a
glance
Broadly, insurance plans can be distinctly divided into ULIPs and traditional plans. A brief detail of both segments:
Unit Linked Insurance Product
ULIPs have gained high acceptance due to attractive features they offer. These include: 1. Flexibility 1. Flexibility to choose Sum Assured. 2. Flexibility to choose premium amount. 3. Option to change level of Premium /Sum Assured even after the plan has started. 4. Flexibility to change asset allocation by switching between funds 2. Transparency 1. Charges in the plan & net amount invested are known to the customer 2. Convenience of tracking one’s investment performance on a daily basis. 3. Liquidity 1. Option to withdraw money after few years (comfort required in case of exigency) 2. Low minimum tenure. 3. Partial / Systematic withdrawal allowed 4. Fund Options 1. A choice of funds (ranging from equity, debt, cash or a combination) 2. Option to choose your fund mix based on desired asset allocation Traditional Plans These are the oldest types of plans available.
These plans cater to customers with a low risk appetite. Some of the common features of traditional plans are: 1. Steady Investment 1. Major chunk of investible funds are in debt instruments 2. Steady and almost assured returns over the long term 2. Features 1. Death benefit is Sum Assured + guaranteed & vested bonus 2. Helps in asset creation as they are for a long tenure 3. Premium to Sum Assured ratios are fixed for each plan and age. 4. Generally withdrawals allowed before maturity are not
Types of annuity An annuity is a series or stream of payments. In the context of retirement planning, an annuity is a contract between you and the insurance company under which the insurance company promises pays you money for a stipulated period-often for life. You, the person receiving the payments, is the "annuitant". Types of annuity options offered by ICICI Prudential: Life Annuity: In this plan, you receive annuities for as long as you live. Payments are no longer made after your demise. Life Annuity with Return of Purchase Price: You receive annuities for as long as you live and your nominee receives the purchase price of the policy after demise. The
purchase price refers to the value of your investment corpus at the end of the accumulation phase (with which the annuity was purchased). Life Annuity Guaranteed for 5, 10 and 15 Years and Life Thereafter: You receive annuities for a minimum term i.e. 5, 10 or 15 years. Annuities continue for life thereafter. If death occurs before the end of the pre-decided term, the company pays the annuity till the end of that term to the nominee. Joint Life, Last Survivor Annuity without Return of Purchase Price: Both your spouse and you will receive annuities for life. Joint Life, Last Survivor Annuity with Return of Purchase Price: Both your spouse and you will receive annuities for life. After this, the purchase price is returned to your nominee. Read more about ICICI Prudential unit-linked LifeTime Super Pension, LifeLink Super Pension, ForeverLife, & Immediate Annuity plans, right now. Retirement Solutions To cater to the needs of a customer looking for retirement planning, ICICI Prudential presents a wide array of products. These products have been designed to take into account the diverse set of needs that characterize individual customers. Please click on the plans to know more about them and identify which plan is just right for you.
Plan Name LifeTime Super Pension LifeLink Super Pension ForeverLife Immediate Annuity
Plan Type Unit Linked Unit Linked Traditional Traditional
HEALTH PLANS: Healthy Living It is the aim of all of us to lead a long and illness free life. Today this has become possible thanks not just to Medical Technologies that are able to identify and effectively treat many diseases but also because a great deal of knowledge has become available on how healthy lifestyles can help us live longer. Healthy living, getting plenty of exercise, eating right and leading a stress free life are to a large extent responsible for increasing life spans. In this world of instant food and instant fads what constitutes healthy living? The key to Healthy Living comprises of Nutrition Exercise for the Mind & Body Home Care Healthy Living : Nutrition We all know that certain types of foodstuffs are healthier than others and we are forever being warned about the dangers of eating Junk food. So, what are the types of foods and their nutrient powers? How healthy are some of the common foods that we eat?
Food Types and Nutrients Food can be classified according to their functions: Energy giving Body building Protective and regulatory Energy Giving Foods keep us supplied with energy and are typically Carbohydrates. Body Building Foods are the Proteins that are useful in developing Muscle mass and act as the building blocks of the body Protective and Regulatory Foods are Micronutrients, Minerals and Vitamins that play an important role in fighting disease and regulate the metabolic functions of the body. Major food types and their nutrient constituents: Food Type Nutrients Present Powers Examples Rice, Wheat, Ragi, Bajra, Jowar, Corn and products made from these such as cereal flakes, noodles, macaroni, bread and cakes Black,
Major Cereal carbohydrate Energy and Millet source; Alsogiving provides fat
Pulse,
Major proteinBody
Red and Green source; Also gram, Lentil andprovides fat building bengal Legume and gram, carbohydrate peas and rajma Milk, Major protein Body Cheese, Milk andsource; Also building, Paneer , its provides fat Energy butter & products and giving other milk carbohydrate products Ground nut, Major fatEnergy cashew Nuts andsource; Alsostoring, nut, Oilseed provides Body walnut, protein building pistachio and badam. Groundnu t oil, coconut oil, Fat andMajor fatEnergy sesame Oil source storing (gingelly) oil, sunflower oil, butter and ghee Vegetable Major sourceProtectiv Green s of vitaminse &leafy and minerals Regulato vegetable ry s spinach, lettuce, coriander and mint. Roots beetroot,
carrot and radish. Tubers potatoes, yams, onions and. Other vegetable s cucumber , tomato, ladies finger and brinjal. Yellow and orange fruits papaya and mango. Citrus Protectiv fruits Major source e &oranges, Fruits of vitamins Regulato lemons. and minerals ry Dry fruits figs, dates, raisins. Other fruits banana, pineapple , grapes. Herbs, Phytochemic Fenugree Condimen als k, ts and Turmeric, Spices tamarind, cloves, cardamo
Meat, Poultry and Seafood
m, cinnamon and pepper. Mutton, major protein Chicken, Body source; also eggs, fish, building, provides a crab, energy significant Lobsters storing amount of fat and shrimp.
Healthy Living : Exercise for Mind and Body Fitness Yoga Fitness: A healthy adult needs a fitness programme that is a mix of three types of exercises. Aerobic Strength Stretches. or Training or Cardiovascular. Muscular Fitness.
2 line descriptors for cardiovascular, strength and stretch excercise. Ideally, you should work out for an hour thrice a week. After a warm up you can do twenty minutes of cardiovascular exercises, twenty minutes of strength exercises, stretch exercises for ten minutes and then warm down. A fitness schedule helps you look good and improves selfesteem. If you fall ill, you recover faster. You cope with stress better. You age actively. You are able to take care of yourself much longer into old age. Fitness is essentially, optimising your mental and physical potential.
You can find more information here ^Top Yoga: Yoga is recommended as a regimen that helps both the body and the mind. Two of the eight limbs of yoga commonly practiced are: Asana: These are not just a set of exercises or positioning of the body. They are the complete relaxation of the cells of the brain and activation of the cells of the bodily organs. Pranayama: Prana means all forms of energy - cosmic energy, mental energy, sexual energy and physical energy. It is loosely translated as breath. Ayama is control; so, pranayama is control or discipline of breathing to raise oneself to a state of silence and recharge. Yoga in the modern day content: The Muscles and joints: A sedentary work style and improper sitting postures result in many working professionals being prone to cervical spondylitis, low backache and knee disorders. Yogic asanas like Tadasana and Ustrasana strengthen and tone the joints and muscles very well and helps you avert these conditions . The Heart and circulation: High levels of stress increases risk of a heart attack. Unhealthy habits of drinking and smoking lead to elevated blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. Yogic asanas like Dhanurasana and Tuladandasana helps you improve the blood flow to different parts of the body and prevent blockages in the circulation. The Lungs: pranayama is useful to prevent allergic disorders and also protects the lungs against harmful effects of passive smoking. Pranayama is valuable in harnessing the large amount of energy that the modern
lifestyle needs. A minimum of fifteen minutes pranayama every day will prove highly beneficial.
of
The Digestive and excretory systems : Unhealthy eating habits (irregular meals, hotel meals that have high fat and many chemical additives like food colors, soda, preservatives etc) affect the metabolism of the body, which could result in ulcers, diabetes, hypertension and problems of weight regulation. Yogic Asanas like Pavanamuktasana and Utkatasana help control problems of hyperacidity (which could lead to ulcers) by soothing the cells in stomach lining. Kidney functions can also be stimulated with Asanas like Trikanasana . The Nervous system: The nervous system is most easily affected by hectic lifestyles. Regular, daily exercise provides extra energy to tide over the day's strain, both mentally and physically. Yoga strengthens immunity, as the nerves are made strong by all asanas. The EndocrineGlandular System: Constant travel and late nights are some of the factors that alter the functioning of the endocrine glands. Proper rest at the right time rejuvenates the cycle. Optimum recharging of energy levels is thus ensured. Appropriate asanas refresh the endocrine glands by bathing them in fresh blood. They can prevent jet lag as extra energy is available to the mind and the brain. The Immune System Lack of sleep is one of the most potent forces generating stress on the immune system, weakening the functioning of the cells. Improper diet is another cause for ill-health of the immune system. All asanas are helpful. Pranayama is valuable for the immune system. Please learn and perform asanas under the supervision of a trained yoga professional You can find more information here Healthy Living - Home Care
Personal Hygiene is the first step to good grooming and good health. Quite often , good looks are the result of careful and continuous grooming. It impacts on the perception of the individual in the society. It gives you self-confidence and helps you create a positive impression both in your professional and personal life. Every external part of the body demands a basic amount of attention on a regular basis. Here are some grooming and personal care routines. Eyes Hair Skin Teeth Hands & Nails Feet Eyes An annual eye examination is advisable. Avoid rubbing or squeezing your eyes often. If there is significant irritation in the eyes, consult your eye doctor. Avoid looking directly at the sun, welding electrodes or any other source of very bright, intense light. Try to watch television from a minimum of six screen lengths from the set, which is the recommended distance. Also avoid watching television for long hours. If you have any systemic diseases like hypertension or diabetes, see your eye doctor. The eyes are very often damaged in these conditions and early detection and treatment is crucial. Do not use excessive eyeliners or other makeup material for the eye. Some of these could irritate and cause problems for the eye. ^Top
Hair Wash your hair at least once a week using soap or mild shampoo. Dry your hair after a wash. Brush your hair three to four times a day with a soft bristled brush or a wide toothed comb. Wash your brush and comb every time you wash your hair. Oil the scalp, once a week, preferably an hour before hair wash. ^Top Skin Soap and water are essential for keeping the skin clean. A good bath once or twice a day is recommended. The genitals and the anal area need to be cleaned well because of the natural secretions of these areas can cause irritation and infection. Wash off well after soaping. Drying with a clean towel is important. Avoid sharing soaps and towels. Around middle age the skin tends to go dry a bit. A moisturising oil or cream (preferably used during the night)can be used to avoid this. ^Top Teeth Brush teeth twice a day and rinse well after every meal. Brushing before going to bed is important. While brushing, brush down on the upper teeth and brush up on the lower teeth. Use a circular motion. Pay attention to the tongue and the inner surface of teeth as well.
Use a brush with resilient bristles. It should be rinsed well and left to dry after use. Use a toothpaste without harsh abrasives or strong antiseptics. ^Top Hands & NailsEyes Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after every meal and after visiting the toilet. Soaping and rinsing should cover the areas between fingers, nails and back of the hand. Hands should be dried with a clean towel after wash. If you need to use a handkerchief or tissue, wash your hands after that. Keep your nails short. Nail Polish users should see that it does not chip off into the food. Clip nails short, along their shape. Don't cut them so close that it pinches the skin. A healthy body ensures healthy nails. Brittle or discoloured nails show up deficiencies or disease conditions. Do not keep your nails painted continuously. It causes the keratin, of which nails are made, to split. ^Top Feet Give your feet a good scrub with a sponge, pumice stone or foot scrubber that is not made of very abrasive material when having a bath. Dry after bath between toes. Keep toenails clipped.
Those who use shoes constantly need to slip them off now and then. This airs the socks a bit and makes them less smelly. Wear cotton socks. Wear a clean pair everyday. Powder your feet before wearing socks. Many people have sweaty feet, and socks and shoes can get quite smelly. Give importance to wearing comfort in the choice of footwear. For those who go barefoot indoors, door mats must be cleaned or changed frequently. Extra foot care is required for diabetics. Healthy Living - Expert Speak In this month's Expert Speak the focus is on the prevention of cancer. Can a healthier diet help in preventing cartain types of cancer? While we do know that we are genetically prone for certain cancers can this risk be modified? Let's ask the experts to know more: Dr.Vikram Ananthakrishnan, General Surgeon explains between Diet and Cancer: M.S.D.N.B., FRCS, Noted the possible connection
What is the role of diet in Cancer? Diet, which is rich in fats, is a cause for Cancer of the colon and Breast Cancer: Fat and Colon Cancer Fats are difficult to digest. They require more of bile salts to digest them. These bile salts along with the fat come in contact with the inside of the colon (mucosa)and they induce Cancer formation. This alarming trend is now seen in our population that seems to be embracing the western diets and habits. Fat and Breast Cancer
In obese individuals there is more conversion of Cholesterol into estrogens (female sex hormone). This hormone is one of the causative agents in Breast Cancer. Do vegetables and fruits prevent Cancer? Vegetables and fruits contain vitamins and antioxidants that prevent the growth of Cancer. They also help in the immunological surveillance of Cancer (body's defence mechanism). This is similar to the defence against infections. The immune mechanism will destroy what it finds abnormal. They also contain fibre that helps to prevent Colon Cancer. A high fibre diet prevents Colon Cancers because it dilutes the Cancer-causing irritant and also makes the motion move faster. Are there any protective genes against Cancers? There are protective genes against Cancers. Do people with lower immunity develop Cancer? Defective immunity is a cause for Cancer. What is the role of genetics in Colon Cancer? People who have polyps (outgrowths) in the colon, which is carried by a defective gene, can develop Colon Cancer. This can run in families and can be prevented by removing either the polyp or the colon depending on the type of involvement. Screening for Colon Cancers Colon Cancers can be picked up on doing a test called colonoscopy. Here a tube is passed through the anus after the colon is completely evacuated of all motion (faeces). Colon Cancer’s symptoms are diarrhoea alternating with constipation, anaemia, blood in stools, weight loss and loss of appetite.
Dietary patterns have changed. Has this had an impact on Cancers of the stomach? There seems to be an increase in the incidence of Cancer of the upper end of stomach. The Cancer of the lower part of stomach (closer to the small intestine) also called antrum of stomach is decreasing in incidence. The Cancer of upper stomach and lower oesophagus are associated with rich diets, smoking and alcoholism. (Also called diseases of the affluent.) These factors cause reflux of the stomach contents into the lower part of food pipe (oesophagus). This in turn causes Cancer of the lower end of food pipe (oesophagus) and upper stomach. Incidentally both the treatment and outcome of both these diseases are similar. What causes (Antral) lower end stomach Cancer? One of the causative agents for lower end of stomach Cancer is deep fried food; especially those fried with recycled oils. This is commonly seen in our country where we use plenty of oil say to fry puris or chips and use this same oil to fry some other food. In medical parlance this causes increase in the amount of nitrogenous compounds and this causes Cancers. Screening for stomach Cancers Stomach can be screened using a test called endoscope. This is a flexible tube which is passed through the mouth after the patient has fasted for 6 hours. How does stomach Cancer manifest? Anaemia, loss of appetite, loss of weight, and malaise can be noticed in people with Stomach Cancer. If the Cancer is located in the upper end it presents as difficulty in swallowing.Cancers in the lower end of the stomach present as vomiting. Is there some thing we could do to prevent Cancer? There is no surefire preventive measure. But it is good to remember the following:
- Fruits and vegetables decrease the susceptibility to Cancer. - Fatty foods, especially of animal origin, are harmful. - Look for warning signs. Undertake regular screening for Cancer. Early detection increases your chances of control and cure. - Prevent environmental pollution and guard yourself against polluted environments. Dr. Vikram Ananthakrishnan M.S., D.N.B., F.R.C.S. Dr.Vikram Ananthakrishnan completed his M.S. in General Surgery from the Grant Medical College, Bombay and then his Diplomate of The National Board, India (D.N.B). He completed his F.R.C.S. from Royal College of Surgeons, Glasgow, U.K. Dr.Vikram is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of General Surgery at Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai. He is also a visiting consultant at The Apollo Hospitals, Chennai. His special area of interest is laparoscopic surgery, colon & rectal surgery. 5 reasons why health covers are a must A health cover insures you against several illnesses and guarantees you stay financially secure should you ever require treatment. The cover ensures you are taken care of by compassionate and competent doctors at the best hospitals. It thus safeguards your peace of mind, eliminates all worries about treatment expenses, and allows you to focus your energy on more important things, like healing. Indians at greater risk Reason 1: Lifestyles have changed: Indians today suffer from high levels of stress. Long hours at work, little exercise, disregard for a healthy balanced diet and a consequent dependence on junk food have weakened our immune systems and put us at an increased risk of contracting illnesses.
Reason 2: Rare non-communicable diseases now common: Obesity, high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks, which were earlier considered rare, now affect an increasing number of urban Indians-almost every day.
Shocking Truths
18% of the urban population suffers from hypertension, which leads to renal failure, stroke and cardio vascular diseases 30% of the population suffers heart attacks before age 40 66% of deaths today are due to cardio vascular diseases Almost 3.5 million Indians suffer from diabetes Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) like heart disease and stroke are the main causes of death and disability
The Cost Factor Reason 3: Medical care is unbelievably expensive: Medical breakthroughs have resulted in cures for dreaded diseases. These cures, however, are available only to a select few. High operating expenses—therapy for breast cancer costs as much as Rs. 2 lakhs for 3 days —have restricted treatment to the richest. In fact, even among the affluent groups, 20% need to sell their valuable assets so they can accumulate the required amount for their medication. Reason 4: Indirect costs add to the financial burden: Indirect sources of expense—travel, boarding and lodging, and even temporary loss of income—account for as much as 35% of the overall cost of treatment. Most often, we overlook this fact when planning for medical expenses.
Reason 5: Incomplete financial planning: Most of us have insured our home, vehicle, child’s education, and even our retirement years. Ironically however, we have not insured our health. We ignore the fact that illnesses strike without warning—and seriously impact our finances and eat into our savings in the absence of a good health cover. Health cover: A must-have
No financial plan is complete without a comprehensive health cover. ICICI Prudential offers 3 critical illness covers: HealthAssure, HealthAssure Plus and Cancer Care. Each of these plans provides you with guaranteed sums should you ever be diagnosed with a critical illness. The benefit amount takes care of all your treatment costs and ensures your hard-earned savings stay intact.
Are you adequately insured? Sound health cover planning ensures you receive both, direct medical expenses and indirect expenses, as soon as the need arises. When investing, choose a range of health plans that: Cover a wide spectrum of medical conditions from the most basic to the most critical Include reimbursement and benefit-based plans, which
enable you to meet specific health risks and expenses as mentioned in the diagram below
An example: Cancer—although it does not occur as frequently as the common cold or fever—severely drains one’s finances as its treatment expenses are very high. Hence, it is imperative to insure ourselves with a health plan that provides cover against Cancer. Quick When selecting a health plan, ensure the plan: Provides long-term coverage Clearly mentions exclusions of cover Is guaranteed renewable Is backed by trusted name and gives the assurance of paying claims Health Product Suite Health Product Suite: Under Health Product Suite, ICICI Prudential offers plans under the following major need categories: HealthAssure HealthAssure Plus Hospital Care Cancer Care Cancer Care Plus tip
Diabetes Care Diabetes Care Plus Cancer Corner The majority of cancers that occur in India are preventable or curable if detected in the early stages. Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, findings note: “With our existing knowledge and resources 50% of cancers that occur in India can be prevented. Over 50% of cancers in men are tobacco oriented. They are due to chewing tobacco or smoking. Over 50% of cancers in women are uterine cancers. And both these groups of cancers are preventable." You can know in detail about: Cancer Cancer Prevention Major Cancers amongst women facts Treatment Cancer
of Cancers
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