Chew on This Not Your Everyday Sweetener

Monday, 7 September 2009

Raise your hand if you have a sweet tooth? Oh c’mon
I know you do. My hand definitely shoots right up. I love sugar in its fullest
from cereals to candy and chewing gum
I pass my daily dosage of sugar early in the morning. Why is it we love sugar so much? Our taste buds are so accustomed to the sweet tastes that we drop on them all the time that regular food is downright boring to the palate. We owe much of this to our excessive sugar intake
but we can do something to curb and
maybe even
replace the extra intake of sugar. There are plenty of sugar substitutes that can help bring us a healthier and more balanced diet.

Sweeteners can be used to “liven” up our food and give us the sugar fix we’re looking for without actually having sugar. In the past
artificial sweeteners have been the main source to use as sugar substitutes but many have not been able to mimic the taste of sugar. These artificial sweeteners cannot be used for baking and do not have the same feel or texture as sugar. For that and many other reasons
we quickly give into our sugar cravings and go back to the real thing. The most commonly used sweeteners are saccharin and aspartame. These have been “sufficient” for many people
but we continue to seek for better alternatives that taste just like our sugar friend.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring substitute that many people do not know about. It looks and tastes just like sugar but doesn’t carry the unhealthy side effects such as tooth decay and cavities that come from excessive amounts of sugar. It’s healthier for us and is an easier way for us to cut back on calories and will help satiate the sugar cravings we all get. Xylitol can be used to bake all your favorite foods and is in crystalline form just how we are used to sugar.

Sugar is a huge part of many of our lives
but causes problems when eaten too much. Diabetes in kids is a growing problem and is partly due to eating too many sugary foods and a lack of exercise. Weight gain among children and adults can be attributed to sugary and fatty foods. Sugar poses a problem for all
but if consumed in proper doses
then it is not bad for us at all.

Other than Xylitol
there are many other natural sweeteners we can turn to that will give us the sugar we need. Honey
fruit juices
maple syrup
and fructose are other alternatives that many use to substitute for regular sugar. Natural sweeteners are a healthy alternative to regular sugar. Remember that consumption is the key. Any food
including sugar
consumed in moderate amounts is not harmful.

So it’s up to each person to take care of their body and watch the amounts of sugar eaten. Sugar is in most foods and that’s why we like to eat so much. We can be responsible in the amount of sugar that we consume and have artificial or natural sweeteners if desired.
Read More “Chew on This Not Your Everyday Sweetener”

Changing Your Eating Habits

Because all of us have been brought up eating junk food
well most of us
it is not easy to change our eating habits. Your eating habits have developed since childhood based on what your mothers or fathers cooked and what your psychological make-up was during that time.

The foods you eat and crave help keep pass trauma and present anxiety in check. Food helps make you feel good when you start to feel bad. Eating is a natural defense mechanism that the brain-body uses to keep you from going crazy.

So
you see
it is very difficult to change our eating habits. When we do
we start to feel bad. We start to feel uncomfortable
we feel pain
we have withdrawal symptoms
and we may feel sick. Is it any wonder that any of us ever succeed in changing our eating habits?

I consider every thing that has been packaged to be junk food. There are a few exception and you need to read ingredient labels carefully. Very few food manufacturers and even restaurants prepare food with your health in mind. Of course
they want to satisfy you
but they don't use foods that are in your best interest.

Most people eat junk food 85% of the time and then eat good food the other 15%. It should be the reverse of this - eat good food 85% and junk food 15% of the time.
To have better health
here are some foods to stop eating. Eliminate these foods over the next two to three weeks.

ท Milk (non-fat or no-fat also) - is a mucus and acid forming food. Milk creates mucus in the body and makes the lymph liquid (we will talk about lymph later) in your body acidic
which attracts parasites and other pathogens. (In the place of milk almond milk or goats milk)
Cancer thrives in a body that is acidic.

o Bread - white bread is also acid and mucus forming. It is also more difficult to pass through the colon and gives rise to constipation.
Sugar the #1 food additive. Sugar is in most of all the products that you buy.

ท Sodas (regular or diet)- are extremely high in sugar or artificial sugar - 7 teaspoons per can. Most people drink over 35 gallons per year. Sugar is a body poison and leads to many disease - diabetes
obesity
tooth decay and osteoarthritis and so on.
o Sugar
also
depletes your B-vitamins and calcium and magnesium from your bones and teeth.

o In addition
since sodas are in aluminum cans
aluminum can go into the soda because most sodas contain phosphoric acid. Aluminum has been associated with senility and Alzheimer disease.

o Calcium is also leached from your body to neutralize the phosphoric acid. (Its healthier to drink juices of all kinds)

There is just no way around it. Sodas suck health right out of your body.

ท Regular salt (NaCl) - excessive salt intake is related to high blood pressure
edema
and imbalances in the minerals in your lymph liquid. Sodium
Na
in salt attracts water so the more sodium you eat that more water your body will hold. (Use sea salt
it has 25% less sodium
use low salt soy sauce
and herbs to flavor your food)

o Most people eat too much salt - over 10
0
milligrams per day. We only need around 200-300 mg per day.

o Excess salt is also in involved with kidney problems
cardiovascular disease
stomach cancer
and excess sensitive to stress.

o Get your Sodium from eating vegetables that are high in sodium. When you get your salt from vegetables it is organic salt
which does not have the same effect in your body as inorganic salt from a shaker. You need a lot of organic salt or Na in your body. Your stomach is a Na organ. It needs organic salt
Na
to keep its lining from being eaten by the hydrochloric acid in your stomach - an ulcer.

o Foods high in organic sodium are apples
apricots
asparagus
greens
red cabbage
carrots
celery
dulse
egg yolks
figs
fish
raisins
prunes
and lentils.

For the next two weeks try adding the following foods to your eating habits.

ท lecithin - is 30-40% choline
which is used throughout your body. This is why you want to include it in your diet.
o choline is one of the main chemicals in our cell membrane.
o It is used in our brains to create the neurotransmitter acytlcholine
which is required for thinking and memory. Consider lecithin brain food.
o It is used by the liver
which helps to prevent a fatty liver. A fatty liver prevents you from losing weight around your belly.
o it helps to break up fats into tiny goblets so that they are easily digestible and will reduce your cholesterol.
o it helps to keep cholesterol from clinging to your artery walls.

ท flax seed oil - is an essential oil
omega 3. This means your body does not make it and it is necessary for you to eat it so that you can live without illness or pain.
o it helps to detoxify the liver
o it stimulates the production of bile. Remember that bile helps to breakdown fat so that the liver can better metabolize it.
o stimulates the body to burn fat.

o apple juice and apples - are high in vitamin A
in Potassium and have other minerals that strengthen the blood. They contain malic and tartaric acids
which keep the liver healthy and promote good digestion. Apples help you to lose weight by providing fiber and keeping you regular.

o fiber - you need 30-35 grams of fiber every day. Most people only get up to 10-15 grams. Fiber is one foods that reduce your transient time in the colon. Fiber helps to keep your colon clean
reduce cholesterol
remove toxins from your body and eliminate constipation.

There you have it. If you can accomplish these changes in one year
you will notice a big difference in the way you feel and the health that you have.
Read More “Changing Your Eating Habits”

Changing Your Eating Habits

Because all of us have been brought up eating junk food
well most of us
it is not easy to change our eating habits. Your eating habits have developed since childhood based on what your mothers or fathers cooked and what your psychological make-up was during that time.

The foods you eat and crave help keep pass trauma and present anxiety in check. Food helps make you feel good when you start to feel bad. Eating is a natural defense mechanism that the brain-body uses to keep you from going crazy.

So
you see
it is very difficult to change our eating habits. When we do
we start to feel bad. We start to feel uncomfortable
we feel pain
we have withdrawal symptoms
and we may feel sick. Is it any wonder that any of us ever succeed in changing our eating habits?

I consider every thing that has been packaged to be junk food. There are a few exception and you need to read ingredient labels carefully. Very few food manufacturers and even restaurants prepare food with your health in mind. Of course
they want to satisfy you
but they don't use foods that are in your best interest.

Most people eat junk food 85% of the time and then eat good food the other 15%. It should be the reverse of this - eat good food 85% and junk food 15% of the time.
To have better health
here are some foods to stop eating. Eliminate these foods over the next two to three weeks.

ท Milk (non-fat or no-fat also) - is a mucus and acid forming food. Milk creates mucus in the body and makes the lymph liquid (we will talk about lymph later) in your body acidic
which attracts parasites and other pathogens. (In the place of milk almond milk or goats milk)
Cancer thrives in a body that is acidic.

o Bread - white bread is also acid and mucus forming. It is also more difficult to pass through the colon and gives rise to constipation.
Sugar the #1 food additive. Sugar is in most of all the products that you buy.

ท Sodas (regular or diet)- are extremely high in sugar or artificial sugar - 7 teaspoons per can. Most people drink over 35 gallons per year. Sugar is a body poison and leads to many disease - diabetes
obesity
tooth decay and osteoarthritis and so on.
o Sugar
also
depletes your B-vitamins and calcium and magnesium from your bones and teeth.

o In addition
since sodas are in aluminum cans
aluminum can go into the soda because most sodas contain phosphoric acid. Aluminum has been associated with senility and Alzheimer disease.

o Calcium is also leached from your body to neutralize the phosphoric acid. (Its healthier to drink juices of all kinds)

There is just no way around it. Sodas suck health right out of your body.

ท Regular salt (NaCl) - excessive salt intake is related to high blood pressure
edema
and imbalances in the minerals in your lymph liquid. Sodium
Na
in salt attracts water so the more sodium you eat that more water your body will hold. (Use sea salt
it has 25% less sodium
use low salt soy sauce
and herbs to flavor your food)

o Most people eat too much salt - over 10
0
milligrams per day. We only need around 200-300 mg per day.

o Excess salt is also in involved with kidney problems
cardiovascular disease
stomach cancer
and excess sensitive to stress.

o Get your Sodium from eating vegetables that are high in sodium. When you get your salt from vegetables it is organic salt
which does not have the same effect in your body as inorganic salt from a shaker. You need a lot of organic salt or Na in your body. Your stomach is a Na organ. It needs organic salt
Na
to keep its lining from being eaten by the hydrochloric acid in your stomach - an ulcer.

o Foods high in organic sodium are apples
apricots
asparagus
greens
red cabbage
carrots
celery
dulse
egg yolks
figs
fish
raisins
prunes
and lentils.

For the next two weeks try adding the following foods to your eating habits.

ท lecithin - is 30-40% choline
which is used throughout your body. This is why you want to include it in your diet.
o choline is one of the main chemicals in our cell membrane.
o It is used in our brains to create the neurotransmitter acytlcholine
which is required for thinking and memory. Consider lecithin brain food.
o It is used by the liver
which helps to prevent a fatty liver. A fatty liver prevents you from losing weight around your belly.
o it helps to break up fats into tiny goblets so that they are easily digestible and will reduce your cholesterol.
o it helps to keep cholesterol from clinging to your artery walls.

ท flax seed oil - is an essential oil
omega 3. This means your body does not make it and it is necessary for you to eat it so that you can live without illness or pain.
o it helps to detoxify the liver
o it stimulates the production of bile. Remember that bile helps to breakdown fat so that the liver can better metabolize it.
o stimulates the body to burn fat.

o apple juice and apples - are high in vitamin A
in Potassium and have other minerals that strengthen the blood. They contain malic and tartaric acids
which keep the liver healthy and promote good digestion. Apples help you to lose weight by providing fiber and keeping you regular.

o fiber - you need 30-35 grams of fiber every day. Most people only get up to 10-15 grams. Fiber is one foods that reduce your transient time in the colon. Fiber helps to keep your colon clean
reduce cholesterol
remove toxins from your body and eliminate constipation.

There you have it. If you can accomplish these changes in one year
you will notice a big difference in the way you feel and the health that you have.
Read More “Changing Your Eating Habits”

Cereal For Dinner Is That Normal

What’s for dinner tonight? I bet it’s not Raisin Bran or Grape Nuts
but why not? Research shows that whole-grain cereal is an excellent source of vitamins and fiber
and is low in calories and saturated fat. But in America
cereal is supposed to be eaten for breakfast. It’s not supposed to be eaten for dinner. We can’t do that. Says who? The advertisers
that’s who. What if Kelloggs launched a “dinner cereal?” and put a lot of marketing dollars behind the idea? Certainly this “dinner cereal” wouldn’t be different from any other cereal; it would just give us “permission” to steer away from the norm and do things a little differently. And I guarantee there’d be a lot less overweight people in the world.

About 7 years ago I put my theory to the test. I ate cereal for dinner 5 nights a week for about 4 months
and I can honestly say that my stomach was flatter than ever
I never felt full or bloated and I got used to it pretty quickly. In fact
I found myself driving home from work excited about what cereal I was going to have that night
and I looked forward to it. I felt great.

Our overweight problem is largely cultural. Big
dinnertime meals are part of what we do even though research shows that consuming our largest meal at night is a big reason for our bulging waist-lines. Not long ago I read an interesting study about the timing of our eating. The researchers compared the eating habits of some community in Scotland and compared them to ours. This community was in a farming region and the people
on average
consumed the same amount of calories per day that we do
but they did not have a weight problem. The reason: Breakfast was their big meal. About two thirds of their daily calories were consumed in the morning and they ate sensible lunches and dinners. In our culture
we consume two thirds of our calories after 5:00 P.M. The body’s metabolism slows down significantly after 6:00 P.M. and our bodies just aren’t burning all of those calories effectively.

Timing is everything. Makes sense
doesn’t it?

In our world
we do what seems normal
what everyone else is doing. A family sitting around the dinner table eating a bowl of Cheerios with sliced bananas sounds ludicrous. It just doesn’t fit into our cultural schema. But obviously something has got to change in our country or we’re just going to keep eating ourselves to death. Try the cereal plan for a few weeks and see if you lose weight. There is such a huge selection of good
healthy cereals out there so you don’t have to worry about getting board. Dare to be different.
Read More “Cereal For Dinner Is That Normal”

Cayenne pepper could help Stomach 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 (Cayenne Pepper) can reduce pain which serves as a local anesthetic 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
See also T. Kolatat

Read More “Cayenne pepper could help Stomach Ulcers”

Carbohydrates and the Glycemic Index

You may have heard about the glycemic index and wondered what it is all about. The glycemic 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 glycemic indexes. The blood glucose response is fast and high. Carbohydrates that break down slowly
releasing glucose gradually into the blood stream
have low glycemic indexes.

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

Glycemic Load measures the amount of sugar a food actually releases in the body. Foods with a low glycemic load usually have a low glycemic index
yet still have a low glycemic 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 glycemic index and glycemic load. Detailed tables with this information are widely available. Use the chart below to get started.

High Glycemic 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 Glycemic 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 glycemic 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.
Read More “Carbohydrates and the Glycemic Index”

Can Nutrition Help Slow Down the Aging Process

Sunday, 6 September 2009

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 colorful. Different color 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 can’t grow old gracefully and healthier and with a steady diet of proper nutrition
you can maintain better health well into your golden years.
Read More “Can Nutrition Help Slow Down the Aging Process”

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 everyday. 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. Every one should consume good (unsaturated fats) that come from plant sources such as nuts and olives.
Read More “Calories The Good and Bad”

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 Pediatrics
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.
Read More “Calcium When You Take It It Works”

Caffeine Addiction - A Problem To Be Solved As Early As Possible

We all have this pre-conceived notion that only coffee contains caffeine but that is not the case. Beverages like cokes and chocolate products contain caffeine. A hot cup of coffee with the morning sunshine sounds so tempting and revitalizing.

It has the ability to keep you awake and help burn that midnight oil in time of dire need. Coffee becomes a matter for social gathering. It helps you socialize by letting you bump into one of your colleagues in the office which otherwise wouldn’t have happened.

It is being considered as one of your friend as it has helped you sit up late at night and clear those grueling Math’s papers. With all the usefulness one can think of we also happen to know that coffee contains caffeine which is not good for your health.

Having coffee can help you remain alert but it is the aftermath you should be worried about the ill effects it has on your health. It is a stimulus which does wonders to your central nervous system by stressing the hormones in the blood stream and keeping you alert and awake whenever you have it.

This unnatural way of keeping your body alert takes a toll on your body. The normal way of functioning gets disrupted due to the intake of coffee or any other product which contains good amount of caffeine.

As caffeine gets into our system it makes us addicted. After knowing the ill effects of caffeine if you suddenly stop taking coffee
you will face caffeine withdrawal symptoms which can be anything from a headache
irritability
fatigue
constipation
lack of appetite
lack of concentration to even forgetfulness.

The withdrawal symptoms can be very harmful leading to stomach ulcers as the coffee can be acidic. This excess acid gets into your blood streams causing loss of calcium in urine. Caffeine which has been freely used in most of the beverages has led kids get addicted to it. The high content of sugar just makes it very popular among children which are the future generation with excess weight.

It is also the cause of abnormal fast
slow or irregular heartbeats. It is also known for increasing blood pressure which leads to constant stress and hypertension. There are increasing chances of heart disease; pancreas and bladder cancer which we all know can be very fatal.

The idea to quit caffeine should be very strong and not one to tampered with. The process should be slow and gradual. As we all know the withdrawal symptoms of caffeine is very bad. Avoid other caffeinated products which would just make matters worse. If you happen to drink 6 cups coffee a day cut it down. Try to have 2 cups green tea and 4 cups coffee and similarly as you go ahead you will completely stop till you got rid of caffeine from your life.
Read More “Caffeine Addiction - A Problem To Be Solved As Early As Possible”

Buying Nutritional Supplements Online

If you are looking to purchase nutritional supplements
look no further than the World Wide Web. There are millions of businesses based both in the “real” and virtual worlds that hock any type of natural extract or supplement imaginable. These nutritional supplements can be anything from naturally building muscle and tone to ensuring your body has the proper nutrients at all times. Online sellers of nutritional supplements are just as reliable as the traditional brick and mortar stores
and are often controlled by the same company.

Instead of searching all over town for those hard to find nutritional supplements
look no further than your computer. The World Wide Web has essentially shrunk the earth
allowing you to purchase anything and everything from any corner of the globe and have it delivered directly to your door. Many small towns do not have a health food store or nutritional supplements shop
so instead of driving near and far to purchase the items you seek
you can save time and money on gas and hop on the internet for all your shopping needs.

Quite often
these online sellers of nutritional supplements are a great deal less expensive than traditional brick and mortar stores. This difference in price is usually because of the rock bottom overhead it takes to run a virtual business. Instead of renting a storefront for your nutritional supplements store
paying employees to stock and man the register
purchase a variety of business related items
and paying utilities on the store
you can quickly and easily run a significant business out of your own home. This savings is directly passed down to the buyer
who reaps the rewards of convenient shopping at great prices.

If you are looking at a place to purchase nutritional supplement online
ask your friends
family members
or coworkers for a reference. Most individuals have done some sort of shopping on the World Wide Web and can point you in a general direction. Also
speak with your primary healthcare provider about an appropriate store in cyberspace to purchase your nutritional supplements. This is critical since your doctor should know of anything you are taking
whether all natural over the counter supplements or prescription medications. Once you have found a reputable dealer of nutritional supplements online
establish a relationship with the company and be sure to tell your friends. Word of mouth advertising is an excellent way to spread the word about a specific business.

Whenever you purchase anything online
especially nutritional supplements
only work with legitimate sellers. Remember the old adage
if it is too good to be true
then it probably is
and carefully look up the background information of any store before you buy your nutritional supplements. Also
once your products arrive
ensure they are still properly sealed and the containers are in perfect condition when they arrive. This inspection is important so that you can be sure none of the products were tampered with before they arrived on your doorstep. Once your nutritional supplements arrive
you can begin taking them and be on your way to proper health in no time.
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Broccoli A Disease Fighting Resource

Thursday, 3 September 2009

The name broccoli is derived from an Italian name 'Brocco'. It may not be a favorite vegetable for many
especially kids but it has great number of properties to benefit your entire body. It can be stated as one of the finest vegetables which fight numerous diseases. With the high vitamin content it tops the list in the vegetables department. It is known that broccoli has more Vitamin C in comparison to orange. It also has good amount of calcium which you find in abundance in our very own milk.

Just the presence of so many good qualities helps broccoli to combat many health problems. It contains components which fight deadly disease like cancer. Broccoli sprouts contains more cancer fighting elements in comparison to well-developed broccoli. Eating broccoli sprouts on regular basis prevents stomach cancer. It also minimizes your chance of gastritis and peptic ulcer. Your sun-damaged skin gets a sigh of relief as it protects your skin. This saves you from diseases like skin cancer. Your heart problems are reduced and chances of heart diseases slope down to minimal.

If you want to improve cataract problems
have broccoli sprouts at least twice a week. Your chances of having cataract are reduced immensely. It builds your immune system if you have broccoli in small amounts. It spikes your system due to the presence of zinc and other required minerals. It should be considered as a boon for many pregnant women because it contains folic acid. This folic acid is quite rare due to which broccoli becomes very important. It helps in proper development of the fetus without any defects. It is very good to help you with rheumatoid arthritis. The richness of vitamin C in broccoli saves you from suffering pain by polyarthritis. It is great for asthma patients due to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory factors. Many of your asthma problems are reversed by having broccoli. Deficiency of Vitamin C is the main cause of easy bruising. This deficiency is overcome by eating broccoli.

Home Remedies

Having par-boiled broccoli is very good to remove heartburn.

Eating broccoli can help you to reduce the high sugar level.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
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Break it Down

Most folks know a small amount about metabolism. Some know all about it
some know only that it happens in our bodies
and others have only heard the word. For those of you out there who are interested in learning a bit more
here it is! Metabolism works in our bodies to synthesize and break down food
or "purines".

Before we go any further on metabolism
we should learn what Purines are. They come from the food that we ingest. Who thought food could have such a fancy name? Purines
by definition are "A double-ringed
crystalline organic base
C5H4N4
not known to occur naturally
from which is derived the nitrogen bases adenine and guanine
as well as uric acid as a metabolic end product."

Now
back to metabolism. Metabolism occurs in living organisms
to sustain life
and/or to synthesize. In humans
it does both. We require such things as nutrients to sustain our being
and metabolism takes these vitamins out of purines. without a metabolism
we would eat and fill up once
never have a bowel movement
and slowly decay from vitamin deficiency.

And there you have it! For you out there who you they know it all
I threw in some big words
and for you out there who don't know the first thing about metabolism
there you go! You can aquire more information on metabolism or purines from books
internet sources
or you doctor.
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