Eating Greens

Eating a lot of greens can have many health benefits to you. You may not know all the good things that greens can do for you, so read on.

 

A substance that is found in all plants is Chlorophyll. What it does is it acts as a blood detoxifier, which helps increase circulation to all your organs. It does this by dilating blood vessels and it is also a natural deodorant because it helps reduce offensive body orders. Wow, two in one cannot beat that. 

 

Super green foods come from young cereal grasses like wheat, barley, rye, alfalfa, oats, kelp, chlorella and many others as well. These have a whole lot of nutrients in them; they even have more nutrients than spinach, eggs, broccoli, chicken in calcium, iron, protein and all of the other categories as well. So it would be better for you to opt for super greens.

 

Did you know that super green foods are the only vegetables that can help animals maintain their weight, strength and good health even if it is consumed alone? Super greens can help boost your immune system they are powerful antioxidants, that can help you grow and have many another health benefits as well. Bottom line is super greens are one of the greatest things you can do to your body. They do so much for our bodies, so we don’t have to worry do much about being healthy. 

 

Also another good thing is that there is no harm in eating super green foods, they give us so many nutrients and are the most natural way of getting everything your body needs to function and be healthy. So go out there and start eating more greens, after all you want to be healthy right? Don’t forget to tell everyone you know about the benefits of greens as well so they can make that same decision as well.

Eating For Life

Eating is an essential part of life. We cannot sustain life for long without eating, so it is important that we take the time to learn how to eat well in order to have the best life possible. Our views of eating and the eating practices we adopt will affect our lives and our health in significant ways in the months and years ahead. Eating well can literally change everything.

 

Eating can be both a blessing and a curse. Many people struggle with eating because they cannot keep it in balance. They end up eating too little or too much and do not live healthy lives because of it. We all know the dangers of eating too little. Probably everyone has at least one friend that struggles with an eating disorder of some kind. That friend just cannot seem to get a grip on their eating patterns and they are unhealthy because of it. They think about or talk about food almost constantly.

 

Other people struggle with eating too much. Eating more food than we need to live is something that the majority of people, at least in the West, struggle with. Eating is associated with most kinds of social activities and events and therefore people learn to eat for reasons other than to satisfy hunger or prolong their health. Eating becomes a way to experience pleasure or to numb the pains of life.

 

The bottom line is that whether people struggle with eating too little or with indulging on food too much, they are not using food in ways that are healthy and life-promoting. Eating, while it is definitely meant to bring people pleasure and satisfaction, is primarily to be a means of sustaining a healthy life. Our problems begin anytime eating is neglected or indulged in beyond what is necessary.

 

Take a look at your eating patterns. You may be surprised to see that you have established unhealthy eating habits over the years. Perhaps your schedule for each day is centred around when you can have meals or a snack. If so, there is a high chance that food has become a bit too high of a priority. Anytime that your thoughts are consumed with food, whether with restraining yourself from it or with consuming more of it, you are thinking of eating and of food in unhealthy ways.

 

Giving eating a rightful place in our lives without allowing it to become consuming is the key. Make an effort to keep your perspective about eating balanced and healthy. Your life will be better and longer because of it.

Cayenne Pepper Could Help Stomach Ulcers

Cayenne pepper can increases the flow of digestive secretions from the salivary, gastric and intestinal glands, without aggravating peptic or duodenal ulcers.

If you suffer from a peptic or duodenal ulcer, the last thing you might consider taking is hot Cayenne Pepper. This goes against everything you've ever heard about what aggravates an ulcer, the facts are that most "spicy" foods do just the opposite. Capsicum can reduce pain which serves as a local aesthetic to ulcerated tissue in the stomach and can even help to control bleeding in the stomach.

 

Some individuals may be bothered by eating "Red Pepper" or spicy foods, these foods do not cause the formation of gastric ulcers in normal people. An interesting note is that people suffering from ulcers usually avoid Cayenne Pepper, in fact those people may actually benefit from its therapeutic action.

 

Taking Capsicum may significantly reduce the risk of ever developing a peptic ulcer. A Chinese study published in 1995 stated, "Our data supports the hypothesis that the chile used has a protective effect against peptic ulcer disease."¹

 

Another 1995 study found that Capsicum can even protect the stomach lining from aspirin induced ulcers.² Aspirin can cause stomach ulceration in certain individuals or if taken with too little water or juice. Researchers have concluded after experimenting with human volunteers that the capsaicin content of capsicum has a definite gastro - protective effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach.³ Eighteen healthy volunteers with normal gastrointestinal mucosa took chile and water followed by 600 mg of aspirin and water. The study was conducted over a period of four weeks. Endoscopy results showed that taking 20 grams of chile before the aspirin definitely demonstrated a protective action on the stomach lining.⁴ Capsicum has the ability to rebuild stomach tissue. Capsicum has the ability to bring blood to regions of tissue at a faster rate boosts the assimilation of foods that are consumed with it.⁵ Several clinical studies support this phenomenon. It has been thought that Capsicum stimulate the release of substances which increase secretions in the stomach and intestines plus can increase an abundance of blood to the stomach and intestines.⁶ In fact, Capsicum can increases the flow of digestive secretions from the salivary, gastric and intestinal glands.

References:

 

1 J. Y. Kang, et al. "The effect of chile ingestion of gastrointestinal mucosal proliferation and azoxymethane-induced cancer in the rat." Journal of Gastroenterology-Hepatol. Mar-Apr. 1992: 7 (2): 194-98.

2 K. G. Yeoh, et al. "Chile protects against aspirin-induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury in humans." Dig-Dis-Sci. Mar. 1995: 40 (3): 580-83.

3 Ibid.

4 Ibid.

5 L. Limlomwongse, et al. "Effect of capsaicin on gastric acid secretion and mucosal blood flow in the rat." Journal of Nutrition. 1979: 109, 773-77. See also T. Kolatat

Cause of Asthma: Asthma Cough Treatment Variant

Natural Asthma Cure: The best approach of all focuses on reducing the self-generated level of toxaemia, cleansing to remove deposits of old toxaemia, rebuilding the organs of elimination and digestion to prevent the formation of new toxaemia, and then, to alleviate the current symptoms and make it easier for the patient to be patient while their body heals, the healer raises artificially and temporarily the vital force with supplements, herbs, acupressure, etc.

An attack of asthma is an agonising experience, and none there are who would willingly go through a further attack if they knew of any means whereby such attacks could be averted. Unfortunately for the asthma sufferer, Medical Science offers no means of treatment whereby the condition can be really cleared up and the possibility of future dread attacks banished once and for all. Medical methods of dealing with the disease centre solely around the employment of certain drugs to bring relief to the sufferer during an attack, and no more. But such drugs are highly dangerous in the extreme, and the relief they bring is purchased at the cost of the further deterioration of the health of the sufferer. So that asthma treated along orthodox medical lines invariably tends to become worse and worse under treatment. 

 

Happy, however, is the asthma sufferer who comes into touch with natural methods of treatment, for by such treatment his condition unless very severe and of long standing can be very much improved, if not definitely cured, in a large number of cases. Natural treatment does not aim at just trying to palliate the effects of an asthmatic attack; it aims at purifying the system of the toxic matter which is at the root of the trouble, and so effectually preventing the occurrence of further attacks. At the same time the whole general health-level of the sufferer is built up by the treatment, and many an erstwhile sufferer from asthma has been heard to declare that Natural Cure has made a completely new man of him, as well as ridding him of the nightmare of ever-recurring asthma attacks. To Learn how we can recover from asthma forever, please visit http://www.miracle-asthma-cure.com 

 

Asthma may be connected with other respiratory diseases in the same person, such as bronchitis, tuberculosis, etc., but many people suffer from asthma who have no other sign of serious chest complaint of any kind. Thus it can be seen that it is not chest trouble as such which is needed to set up an asthmatic condition in any given individual. 

 

The whole point about asthma is that it is a nervous condition affecting the breathing of the sufferer, and can be brought on from a variety of constitutional causes, the chief of which is disturbance of function of the digestive organs. The stomach and bronchi and bronchial tubes are connected by the vague nerve, and by reflex action digestive disturbance can so affect the bronchi and bronchial tubes that the passage of air through them is restricted, and an asthmatic attack precipitated. Obviously, a catarrhal condition of the bronchial tubes will tend to make the appearance of asthma more likely than otherwise, and a highly nervous and run-down condition of the system will also conduce to its development. 

 

Still, no matter what combination of causes there may be acting together to set up asthma in any given individual, the method by which the trouble should be tackled is quite simple and obvious really. What is needed is a thorough internal cleansing of the system (especially of the digestive organs and air apparatus), and the building up of the tone of the whole organism. In this way the asthma bogy can be laid completely in many cases, providing other serious complications do not happen to be present.

Carbohydrates and the Glycaemic Index

You may have heard about the glycaemic index and wondered what it is all about. The glycaemic index is a ranking of carbohydrates based on their immediate effect on blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. It compares foods gram for gram of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates that breakdown quickly during digestion have the highest glycaemic indexes. The blood glucose response is fast and high. Carbohydrates that break down slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream, have low glycaemic indexes.

 

Foods with a high glycaemic index convert into sugar very quickly, with negative physical effects. Foods with a low glycaemic index turn into sugar gradually, helping maintain your body's chemical balance. In general, foods with a low index are preferable.

 

Glycaemic Load measures the amount of sugar a food actually releases in the body. Foods with a low glycaemic load usually have a low glycaemic index, yet still have a low glycaemic load. Other foods have both a high index and a high load. You should avoid high load foods as a regular part of your meal plan.

 

When you choose carbohydrate foods, check both their glycaemic index and glycaemic load. Detailed tables with this information are widely available. Use the chart below to get started.

 

High Glycaemic Index

 

Fruits and Vegetables

 

• Corn
• Cranberry juice
• Orange juice*
• Raisin

 

Starches

 

• Bagel
• Bread (white)
• Refined cereal
• Granola
• Muffin
• Pasta
• Potato
• Pretzel
• Rice
• Tortilla (flour)

 

Medium Glycaemic Index

 

Fruits and Vegetables

 

• Starches
• Apricot
• French Fries
• Grape
• Oatmeal
• Pineapple
• Pita Bread
• Watermelon
• Waffle

 

Low Glycemic Index

 

Fruits and Vegetables

 

• Apple
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprout
• Cauliflower*
• Celery*
• Cherry*
• Cucumber*
• Grapefruit*
• Green Bean*
• Green pepper*
• Kiwi*
• Lettuce*
• Onion*
• Orange*
• Peach*
• Plum*
• Spinach*
• Strawberry*
• Tomato*
• Zucchini*

 

* Low glycemic load foods.

 

Simply eating more fruits and vegetables is not the answer - they must be the right fruits and vegetables. Starchy vegetables such as peas or lentils (200 to 250 calories per cup) are healthy, but they contain more calories than you may want. If you need to eat more to satisfy your hunger, add low glycaemic load vegetables. For example, spinach and asparagus are better choices than higher calorie corn and peas. A cup of spinach topped with 1/2 cup of tomato sauce has only about 90 calories, but it gives you nutrients from two colour groups.

 

Why Not Brown and Beige?

 

When considering which foods to enjoy sparingly, also use colour as a guideline. Many brown and beige carbohydrates, like pasta, beans and potatoes, while healthy, also tend to be high in calories.

Can Nutrition Help Slow Down the Aging Process?

We all age. That fact is inevitable. But a lot of the negative changes that take place in our bodies are not. As we age, we become more susceptible to such things as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and arthritis. However, medical research has shown that proper nutrition can slow down and even prevent many of these ailments.

 

It is estimated that nearly one half of all health problems in the elderly are directly related to poor nutrition. The elderly are by and large some of the most poorly nourished people. Some reasons for this are as you age your sense of taste and smell decreases, it is harder to chew, and you just don’t feel hungry.

 

In some cases, financial reasons may affect the food choices made and it may be harder to get out and shop for food due to various physical factors. On top of this, as you get older your body may not be able to absorb some of the nutrition from food as well as it could when you were younger. In some cases a good multi-vitamin (preferably in liquid form) could help offset this. Your doctor can help you find one that’s right for you.

 

Here are a few things that you can do to plan for better nutrition in your diet and a healthier life as you get older:

 

Plan out regular meals for each day and try to include vegetables in at least 2 of them every day. If you must snack, use fruits and vegetables rather than junk food like potato chips and candy.

 

If you have problems chewing meat, try going with things like fish and ground meats. Also try to eat more soups as they can have plenty of nutrition in them and they are great choices if you are on a budget.

 

Make meals more interesting by inviting a friend to lunch or dinner once in a while. Sometimes it can get boring to always eat alone and having someone over can entice you to get more creative with meals than you might when eating alone.

 

One thing you can do to ensure that you’ll be getting better nutrition is to make each plate colourful. Different colour vegetables for example generally contain different nutrients so the idea here is, mix it up.

 

Growing old may be inevitable but that doesn’t mean you cannot grow old gracefully and healthier and with a steady diet of proper nutrition, you can maintain better health well into your golden years.

Calories: The Good and Bad

Making a commitment to have healthier eating habits is a tough one. Knowing how to implement that commitment may be even harder. Where do you start? What foods should you eat, and which ones should you stay away from? These are all questions you should answer before going out to the grocery store. 

 

We need nutrients to survive. We need vitamins, minerals and calories every day. There are two types of nutrients. Micronutrients are our vitamins and minerals and macronutrients are where our calories come from. The three types of macronutrients are fat, carbohydrates and proteins. 

 

Many people think that all fats are bad and recently started thinking all carbohydrates are bad too. That leaves us with just protein. If this were the case, our diets wouldn't be very enjoyable. Fortunately not all fats are bad and the same goes for carbohydrates. 

 

With all the negative publicity recently, you might be afraid to eat any carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are our main fuel source. Our brain can't use anything else to power itself with and our muscles will work the best on it. Don't deprive yourself of it. 

 

Carbohydrates that you should stay away from are simple sugars that are found in candy, sodas and many snacks. Good carbohydrates such as whole wheats and fruits will keep you energized throughout the day and avoid sugar highs and lows. 

 

Fats are also very important. Without fat, our body wouldn't be able to utilize some of the vitamins we consume. Fat is found in our cell walls and make up a big part of hormones. Fats you should avoid are saturated fats that come in meat, milk and dairy products. Everyone should consume good (unsaturated fats) that come from plant sources such as nuts and olives.

Calorie Requirements for the Different Type of Body Characteristics

Understanding your body requirements is an invaluable tool for developing fitness. your daily body requirements include vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber. Vitamins and minerals are the elements that are necessary for chemical reactions that unlock energy or enable growth. Although your body can store some vitamins, a regular daily intake is important because some of the most vital vitamins, B and C, are water-soluble, so are quickly flushed out of the system.

 

• It's important to ensure your daily food intake includes all the nutrients your body needs.
• Eat more fruit and vegetables
• Eat more starchy foods such as rice, bread, potatoes and pasta (preferably whole grain varieties)
• Eat less fat, salt and sugar
• Eat some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs and pulses.
• Eat a variety of foods to ensure your body gets all the nutrients it needs?

 

Water

 

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day to prevent dehydration. In hotter climates, drink more.

 

Fruit and vegetables

 

One third of the food you eat every day should be fruit and vegetables - aim for a minimum of five a day, and eat a variety.

 

Salt

 

Too much salt raises your blood pressure, so cut down as much as possible.

 

Fat

 

Some fat is vital to the body, but eating too much causes weight gain, so choose low-fat alternatives where possible.

 

The average woman needs around 2000 calories per day to fulfil her body requirements. This calorie requirement rises to 2500 for average men. However, these figures are based on averages and may be completely different for many individuals. If the same person becomes less active then calorie requirements will be lower. For this reason calorie requirements are highly individual and different for the different type of body characteristics such as height, gender, age and activity levels.

 

Energy is used up in physical work as well as in exercising for pleasure. People who do physically demanding work need to make sure they get enough food to meet their energy needs. It's also important that they find time to rest and relax at the end of the day to let their bodies recover.

 

Children, and adults with less demanding physical work, have lower calorie requirements than People who do physically demanding work. They should exercise or play a sport to stay fit and maintain a proper weight. Brisk walking, swimming, jogging, cycling or playing ball games are all ideal.

 

Lack of exercise in the elderly can reinforce age related limitations and handicaps that further reduce physical activity. The elderly should therefore try to take diet according to their calorie requirements, and keep up a comfortable level of physical activity. Gentle exercise such as walking or swimming is ideal. Irregular, strenuous exercise should be avoided.

 

Those who have been inactive for long periods, especially if this is as a result of illness, should have a health check before starting to exercise or resuming heavy physical work. Activity levels should be built up gradually, taking care not to do too much too soon and fulfilling calorie requirements according to activity levels.

 

Moderation is the golden rule. Eating in moderation combined with moderate exercise is the best approach for everyone.

 

Regular exercise and a balanced diet that best meet their body requirements, helps people stay fit and healthy.

Calcium: When You Take It, It Works

Calcium has been recommended and widely accepted as an essential mineral for bone and skeletal health and numerous body functions-regulating heartbeat, conducting nerve impulses, stimulating hormonal secretions and clotting the blood. Now, some conflicting and potentially misleading research is threatening to negate the efficacy of this vital mineral.

 

One factor that the study, published by the Women's Health Initiative, got right was that the government's recommended daily dosage is necessary to receive the benefits associated with calcium consumption and supplementation. Yet more than half of the study participants did not adhere to the recommended calcium supplementation, making improvements in bone density a nearly impossible result. Meanwhile, those that did comply experienced a whopping 29 percent lower risk of hip fractures.

 

Americans, both young and old, are failing to meet calcium intake requirements and the incidence of osteoporosis is climbing. During adolescent and teenage years, when 45 percent of bone mass is formed, meeting calcium requirements is essential. According to the Journal of Paediatrics, however, only 10 percent of teenage girls and 30 percent of teenage boys are meeting adequate calcium intake, which places them at serious risk for stunted growth, bone disease and, eventually, osteoporosis.

 

Calcium is available through dairy products and green, leafy vegetables-yet incorporating adequate amounts into a modern, hectic lifestyle, regardless of age, is often unrealistic. Calcium-fortified foods and supplements, however, can fill the gap.

 

"It's very important that people do take a supplement if they're not getting enough calcium in their diet," says Nicholina Galinsky, R.N. "Unfortunately, most of us are not aware that we have osteoporosis until we break a bone."

 

Adora, a new calcium supplement, is made with milk and dark chocolate. Each chocolate disk contains 500 mg of elemental calcium, along with 100 international units of vitamin D and 40 micrograms of vitamin K, which aids absorption. In addition, the supplements taste like gourmet chocolate, which makes sense since the manufacturer, Thompson Brands, is a candy maker, not a pharmaceutical company.