That's what the city's bold and beautiful got to ask medical experts. Check in to find out what's been plaguing the rich and famous

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen recently raised the bar for expectant mothers the world over by springing back to pre-baby-bod perfection within weeks after giving birth to her son in a bathtub.

Contrary to popular belief, and much to our dismay, pregnancy is not a sanction to "eat for two" or stop exercising.

The 29 year-old disclosed that she continued to exercise very close to her "painless" pregnancy, which might explain why she was busy making pancakes the morning post little Benjy's birth.

We did some snooping of our own, and asked the glitterati to come up with their own fitness-related queries that our medical experts could help answer for them. Here's what they came up with...



Kim Sharma, actor
Is red wine really good for the heart?

Certain studies indicate that red wine increases levels of "good" cholesterol. Red wine contains antioxidants, which are helpful to the body.
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There is a phenomenon known as the, "French Paradox" which highlights that though Parisians, by and large, consume a lot of fatty foods, and smoke a lot, yet the incidence of heart attacks are rare among them.
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There is a school of thought that attributes this to the consumption of red wine.

Resveratrol, a component of red wine, has been seen to reduce "bad" cholesterol and prevent blood clots. It also prevents existing blockages from worsening.

While the health benefits of red wine cannot be entirely ruled out, not all studies have proved conclusive.
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Alcohol consumption also poses health hazards, which can lower a person's resistance to diseases including cancer.

Also, weight-watchers tend to cut down on their food intake to compensate for the calories in alcohol.
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And since alcohol contains neither proteins, nor vitamins, this can result in nutritional deficiencies.
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Hence, I would prescribe diet, exercise and medicine as a means of prevention of heart disease, rather than the consumption of red wine.



Mona Singh, actor is spending too much time in an air-conditioned room very harmful?

Yes, it can negatively impact an individual's health. For one thing, the body loses out on the advantages of natural conditioning.

This can impair a body's ability to handle changes in temperature and impact an individual's immunity.

People who are prone to upper respiratory tract problems can, with prolonged exposure to air-conditioning, suffer infections including nasal blockages and sinusitis.



Anaitha Nair, actor
Are Indian spices good for you?

All spices, especially Indian ones, have therapeutic value. However, as is true for any medicine, these must be used with caution. Spices should be used to suit a specific purpose.
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Dhaniya or coriander, for instance, can aid digestion, if consumed as a juice or even in seed form.

Mint and coriander juice can help individuals who have acidic urine, while allergic dermatitis, a heat-related condition, can be soothed by coriander.
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For a person suffering from heat conditions such as boils and rashes, who is prone to red eyes and has a fiery temperament, red chilies can aggravate the problem.

A mutton curry that's very spicy can cause such a person to have heartburn as it doesn't match his or her body type.

Those with fiery personalities must avoid hot spices. It's therefore not the consumption of a spice that's right or wrong, but rather the spice-personality combination that can prove beneficial or disastrous.



Purab Kohli, actor
Is wheatgrass really as healthy as everyone says it is?

Yes. Wheatgrass is packed with minerals as it is capable of sucking up as many as 90 of the 102 minerals found in soil.

Wheatgrass juice, typically referred to as "green blood" in naturopathy, bears a structural resemblance to haemoglobin.

The juice is rich in magnesium, which is good for the heart and keeps blood pressure levels in check.

It is also a rich source of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, which is used to prevent cellular degeneration in cancer patients.

Wheatgrass strengthens body tissues, provides relief from arthritic pain and soothes inflammatory reactions of any kind, including asthma.

It also helps combat chronic fatigue. Since, wheatgrass juice contains a lot of Vitamin A, which rejuvenates the skin, it is often prescribed for wrinkle-prevention and restoring skin's glow.
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It is a potent liver cleanser, and comes highly recommended for people who consume a lot of alcohol or have raised liver enzyme levels.

Wheatgrass juice can be had in varying doses throughout the day, by healthy as well as ailing individuals.



Pankaj Advani, billiards and snooker player is it true that taking health supplements is bad in the long run?
Dr Sunil Parekh, Hematologist

Popping pills, without consulting a professional always has a risk attached to it.

There are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. While the latter is not usually harmful, an overdose of fat-soluble vitamins, such as Vitamins A and D, can cause toxicity.
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In addition, pre-existing conditions in individuals may be complicated by the consumption of certain supplements.

For instance, a thalassemic patient might have an adverse reaction to the iron content in supplements.

Such a reaction could prove fatal. Also, an excessive intake of calcium supplements can cause kidney stones.
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These are just some examples to demonstrate how important it is to consult a physician before taking any health supplements for any duration.



Bhumika Chawla, actor
What immediate steps can one take to prevent a deep cut from leaving a scar?

The first thing to do is to use an antiseptic and apply pressure on the cut with a clean cloth. The next best thing is to head to a hospital, as nothing one can do at home can keep a wound from scarring.

A lot will depend on how well the cut is stitched. Hence, the time it takes to get to a doctor is crucial, and it is advisable to get to one within four hours.

While any doctor can stitch up the wound, if the gash is too deep, it is advisable to ask for a plastic surgeon. People believe that this might result in a longer wait, but this is untrue.
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Most hospitals have a plastic surgeon on their staff and the scar you're left with will be the direct result of how fine the sutures are, and what sort of post-procedural care you receive.
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To a limited extent, scarring will also depend on an individual's healing ability.



Ashish Chaudhary, actor
Does drinking milk after eating fish cause Leucoderma?

There's no truth to this theory at all. It is a complete myth. Leucoderma is an auto-immune disorder, which, in simple terms, means that it is not sparked off by an external allergen.

We still don't know exactly what triggers it off, but heredity has been proven to have a certain link to the condition.

However, leucoderma can be treated through a range of methods, ranging from simple topical applications and tablets to more costly PUVA therapy treatments.

There are new techniques and treatments being developed all the time for the treatment of leucoderma. It's only in extreme cases that steroids need to be prescribed to the patient.