&w=3840&q=100)
Shefali Jariwala's death: What is the price of Glutathione & how much does it cost to get this fairness treatment in India?
The untimely death of model and actress Shefali Jariwala has not only sent shockwaves across the nation but also reignited the conversation of Indian's obsession with youth, beauty and fairness.
During the investigation, one of the biggest details that came out was Shefali's unsupervised and long-term usage of skin whitening and anti-ageing treatments, particularly glutathione and Vitamin C
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
35 minutes ago
- India Today
Shefali Jariwala death: India's billion-dollar anti-ageing industry explained in numbers
On the night of June 27, Shefali Jariwala, best known as the 'Kaanta Laga Girl', collapsed in her Mumbai home and was declared dead just hours later at a hospital. She was only 42. While preliminary reports said a cardiac arrest caused her death, sources close to the investigation suggest a far more troubling reason: a cocktail of anti-ageing injections, allegedly self-administered while she was a final autopsy report is yet to be published, her sudden, unexplained death has put a spotlight on India's fast-growing and largely unregulated anti-ageing industry, a booming market that promises youth but often comes with a risk.A billion-dollar obsessionYouth is no longer just a stage of life — it's increasingly becoming a commodity. Globally, the anti-ageing market was worth nearly $50 billion in 2024 and is expected to touch $80 billion by 2032, growing at a steady pace of six per cent annually. A big chunk of that growth is powered by injectables, particularly botulinum toxin, popularly known as Botox, which alone is expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 8.7 per cent. In 2024, more than 7.9 million Botox procedures were performed worldwide, making it the most popular non-invasive cosmetic treatment on the planet. Close behind were hyaluronic acid fillers and laser hair removal, part of a growing range of treatments designed to smooth, tighten, and lift plasma-rich facials to peptide therapy and ultrasound-based skin tightening, the options for 'pausing' age are expanding rapid rise in the cosmetic raceIndia is no longer on the fringes of this global beauty economy. According to the latest ISAPS Global Survey, India ranked among the top 10 countries globally for aesthetic/cosmetic procedures, trailing only global leaders like the US, Brazil, and to India Today, Dr Somesh Gupta, professor of dermatology and venereology at AIIMS, New Delhi, said that India's anti-ageing industry remains largely unregulated, and even where rules exist, they are rarely enforced on the ground.'Many individuals are offering these procedures purely as a source of easy income, often without medical training,' he said. 'Beauticians using lasers can cause serious harm, including skin burns.' Dr Gupta noted that patients are increasingly coming from across the country seeking help for hair loss, pigmentation, and early signs of ageing, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in flagged the misuse of glutathione (the substance that Shefali Jariwala allegedly used), a compound not approved for skin-lightening or self-medication, warning that such unsupervised treatments could lead to severe adverse reactions. 'We've even seen fatalities during procedures like hair transplants,' he just one year, India saw a dramatic 25 per cent surge in total procedures, from 1.02 million in 2023 to 1.29 million in 2024. That's more than 3.4 per cent of all procedures performed globally. And India's ascent in cosmetic medicine isn't just about volume. The country now stands second globally in rhinoplasty and scar revision surgeries, popular with younger age groups, especially Gen-Z and millennials. India is also among the top five globally for procedures like chemical peels, liposuction, and skin non-surgical procedures, hair removal was the top treatment in 2024, with more than 208,000 procedures in India — the highest in the world — followed by hyaluronic acid fillers (97,160 procedures), chemical peels (85,120), and Botox injections (76,720). Surgical procedures are also seeing significant traction. Scar revision topped the list with over 106,000 procedures, followed by liposuction (97,160) and rhinoplasty (67,760).'In aesthetics and anti-ageing, less is more,' said Dr Neha Taneja, an assistant professor of dermatology at AIIMS Delhi. 'Treatments should never be overdone. What's necessary must be carefully decided in consultation with a qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.'She noted that the most common procedures today include fillers, skin boosters, and microneedling, with patients often starting as early as ages 22–25. However, Dr Taneja warned that injectables and IV-based treatments, if taken in high concentrations or without supervision, could disrupt blood chemistry and, over time, impact vital organs like the liver and patients, local surgeonsIndia is not just serving its own. It's becoming a global hub for medical tourism in aesthetics. Around eight per cent of all cosmetic surgery patients in India now come from abroad. According to ISAPS, the US, the UK, and Australia are the top countries of origin, a testament to India's growing number of plastic surgeons and significantly lower currently has around 2,800 plastic surgeons, representing 4.8 per cent of the global total, on par with South Korea, one of the world's most advanced beauty anti-ageing industry is booming. But without caution, it can turn into a dangerous chase. The question isn't whether we can look younger. The question is: at what cost?'The industry is growing fast, but so is the demand for shortcuts, especially for things like overnight fairness. That's where the real risk lies,' warned Dr Taneja, stressing that consistency, not speed, was key to visible, long-term results.- EndsMust Watch
Hindustan Times
41 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Understanding India's nutritional adequacy
Jul 03, 2025 08:34 PM IST Nutritional adequacy underpins an economy's growth to a significant extent. In this context, the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey provides data on nutritional intake that should prompt policymakers to bridge gaps. Despite a shrinking gap between the top and bottom fractiles over the past decade, problems of access, nutrient balancing, efficient targeting and delivery need urgent solutions (HT Photo) First, the calorie consumption at the lowest fractile of India's economic classes (the bottom 5% of the population by expenditure) remains significantly below what is considered ideal for Indian adults. At 1,688 kilocalories (kCal) a day in rural areas and 1,696 kCal in urban areas, the average intake falls short of the recommended daily intake of 2,500 kCal by close to a third. Even as governments — both the Centre and the states — try to ensure adequate intake through support programmes including the public distribution system, several other factors are in play. Problems of access, nutrient balancing, efficient targeting and delivery need urgent solutions. That said, the trend of a shrinking gap between the top and bottom fractiles over the past decade is heartening. Second, the recent trend of diversification of households' nutritional basket holds strong. Though cereals continue to be the single-largest source of protein for households, their share in the overall protein pie is falling, with households turning to pulses, dairy and meat/fish/poultry. That is welcome, given it indicates rising spending on nutritional balance — with commensurate imprints on human health. As non-communicable diseases start to define India's morbidity picture, it is necessary to get the nutritional mix and diet basket right. Third, as the data is parsed for regional patterns, a more comprehensive picture of deficits is likely to emerge, not always fitting neatly with economic conditions. There will be sociocultural factors at play that need to be understood and factored in as the State moves to tweak policies. Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! -Login Now!
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Can drinking Jamun-Karela Juice reverse diabetes? How to make it at home
Jamun (Indian blackberry) and karela (bitter gourd) are two traditional ingredients widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for managing blood sugar levels. When combined as a juice, they form a powerful drink believed to help control diabetes. Both are rich in bioactive compounds that target blood glucose regulation, but can they actually reverse diabetes? How Jamun Helps in Diabetes Control Jamun contains jamboline and jambosine, alkaloids that help regulate the conversion of starch into sugar and improve insulin activity. A 2010 study in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine highlighted the anti-diabetic potential of Jamun seeds in lowering blood glucose and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Its low glycemic index and natural astringent quality further support its traditional use in managing type 2 diabetes. Bitter Gourd's Blood Sugar Benefits Karela is a proven natural hypoglycemic agent. It contains compounds like charantin, vicine, and polypeptide-p, which mimic insulin and help lower blood sugar levels. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology confirmed karela's effectiveness in reducing fasting blood glucose in type 2 diabetic patients. The juice of karela is often consumed to support insulin sensitivity and reduce glucose absorption in the intestines. Can This Juice Reverse Diabetes? While Jamun-Karela juice can significantly help manage blood sugar levels, there is no conclusive evidence that it can reverse diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. Reversal requires a comprehensive lifestyle change—diet, exercise, weight management, and sometimes medication. This juice can be a valuable addition to such a regimen but not a standalone cure. Studies support improvement in glycemic control, not complete reversal. Clinical Support and Cautions Clinical trials are ongoing, but available evidence supports the juice as a complementary therapy. A small 2018 study in Ayurveda Journal of Health showed reduced blood glucose and HbA1c levels after 3 months of daily Jamun-Karela juice intake. However, patients must be cautious. Overconsumption can lead to hypoglycemia, especially when combined with diabetic medications. Jamun's slightly sour taste makes it a cooling choice during the rains. It helps digestion, cuts down acidity, and soothes mild bloating. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, its antioxidants and bioactive compounds calm the gut and support overall metabolic balance. How to make this juice To make Karela Jamun juice at home, wash and chop 2 medium-sized bitter gourds (karela), removing the seeds, and soak the pieces in salted water for 15 minutes to reduce bitterness. Wash and deseed about 10–12 fresh jamuns or use 2 tablespoons of jamun pulp or powder. Blend the karela and jamun with 1 to 1½ cups of water until smooth, then strain the juice using a fine sieve. Optionally, add a pinch of black salt and a few drops of lemon juice for taste. Drink fresh on an empty stomach in the morning, and store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
