Top 10 Disease-Fighting Foods

“Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food.” When Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, wrote those words more than 2,400 years ago, he was hundreds of years ahead of his time. Today, thousands of studies around the world confirm Hippocrates’ advice: What you eat has a powerful effect on your health. Functional Foods The buzz today is about “functional foods” that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Researchers say a diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts and cold-water fish can make your immune system stronger and reduce your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and age-related vision and mental problems. Supplements vs. Food Studies say that taking supplements instead of eating whole foods doesn’t provide the same benefits and may actually increase your risk of disease. Researchers think that the combination of natural chemicals found in whole foods work together to promote health. 10 Important Disease-Fighting Foods Enjoy the benefits of these top food choices, found on your grocery store’s shelves: Spinach May prevent age-related vision problems; provides folate, a vitamin critical for reducing birth defects; reduces blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that increases heart disease risk; may protect the brain from aging Broccoli High in sulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound that may help destroy tumor-causing chemicals; provides indole-3-carbinol, a phytochemical (nutrient that comes from plants) that may protect against estrogen-related cancers Salmon One of the best sources for omega-3 fatty acid, a type of fat that may reduce the risk of blood clots and cardiovascular disease; has anti-inflammatory effect; may reduce risk of diseases such as diabetes, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, some cancers and mental decline Nuts Loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acid and vitamin E; helps reduce total blood cholesterol Tomatoes Rich in lycopene, a phytochemical that seems to play a role in preventing certain cancers Berries High in cancer-fighting phytochemicals; appear to have brain-protective properties that may help prevent, and possibly reverse, age-related declines in memory and learning ability Beans / Legumes Excellent source of protein, heart-healthy fiber, folate and antioxidants; may help reduce cholesterol levels Oats Rich in a type of fiber that’s effective in reducing total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol; effective in regulating blood sugar levels Purple Grape Juice, Red or Purple Grapes, Red Wine High in a cancer-fighting compound that may also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease Coffee and Tea Coffee: Appears to reduce risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and age-related cognitive decline Black Tea: May reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease Green Tea: May prevent certain types of cancer

Top 5 Foods That Fight Diseases

This post will cover disease-fighting foods. Of course, immunity can be boosted by exercising regularly (not over doing it – that compromises the immune system), and hygiene as well. These 3 together are basic things that are in your direct control. We will look at what we can add to our diet to help defend ourselves better against diseases.

 

1. Soybeans

Soybeans are a known source of proteins, carbohydrates (soluble and insoluble fiber), potassium, magnesium, molybdenum etc. They are also a rich source of the very beneficial isoflavones compounds like genistein. It is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and iron. Studies have shown soybean’s significant role in preventing cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, promoting gastrointestinal health; lowering the chances of getting breast and prostate cancer and stabilizing blood sugars at healthy level as well as lowering BP and LDL.

2. Walnuts

Walnuts rank among the top dry fruits. They teem with health benefits such as cutting cholesterol levels, reducing risk of CVD, improving cognitive function etc. The Omega -3 in walnuts helps stabilize cardiac arrhythmia and prevents blood clotting within arteries. It prevents the hardening of arteries. Walnuts are rich in I-arginine – one of the essential amino acids that help blood vessels to relax. Not the least, walnuts boost your power to fight infections of the skin, asthma and arthritis.

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is packed with Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium, Magnesium and Iron. In addition to that, broccoli is loaded with indoles and the very potent cancer fighting chemical sulforaphane and beta-carotene. This chemical produces enzymes that fight colon, bladder and ovarian cancers effectively. Broccoli also helps detoxify your system by removing free radicals that damage the heart. By the same virtue, it also protects the skin and helps maintain a healthy stomach flora. How’s that for a single vegetable!

4. Spinach

This leafy green is loaded with beta-carotene, B2, B6, A, C, K, iron and chlorophyll. It is also a good source of folate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, protein, dietary fiber, calcium, phosphorus, omega-3 fatty acids, niacin and selenium. Spinach protects against osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, and arthritis, strengthens bones, purifies blood vessels, increases blood haemoglobin, cures bile related problems, and removes toxins from intestines.

 5. Olives

This bitter Mediterranean food is a power fighter. Its sulforaphane boosts the body’s detoxification enzymes. Olives give cellular protection against free radicals. The Vitamin E present in olives work as anti-oxidants that neutralize free radicals. It also protects against heart diseases and supports gastrointestinal health. It is known to reduce cholesterol and chances of colon cancer. Apart from this, the polyphenols in olives may also help reduce the severity of asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Olives are famous for their anti-inflammatory property.

There are many more foods that I have not included such as oats, tomatoes, capsicums etc. Though the foods I have mentioned have multiple benefits, they could harm those who are allergic to them.

Eat right and stay fit!

Why Is Exercise Important?

We all know we are supposed to exercise but we make excuses not to do it.  However, why is exercise so important? Well exercising helps prevent diseases. It reduces the risk for heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure and diabetes. It can even improve your stamina and delay the aging process. That is good news for us women. We never want to age! Exercising makes, your heart and lungs work better so that daily activities become easier. Things like carrying those heavy groceries, playing with your kids and more. Not to mention regular exercise makes you feel better about yourself. I used to exercise everyday and I did indeed feel good and had more energy. There are three types of exercise Aerobic, Anaerobic, Stretching.

You do not have to do anything too strenuous at first. Take a walk; use the stairs instead of the escalator. Even these small steps can make a big difference. If you are trying to lose weight start small and make sure you eat a well balanced diet. Try cooking at home instead of those fat filled take out dinners. Exercise can also benefit your sleep patterns and make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Also making sure you drink plenty of water can actually help you lose weight. I know from experience that this works. I drink a lot of water and a few years ago, it helped me to feel full and lose weight faster. Make sure to drink plenty of water when exercising to avoid dehydration.

Everyone should exercise including children, adults and the elderly. Children need to exercise to grow and develop strong bones. Far too many children are obese. As well, there are adults who are obese.  This can lead to horrible health conditions. People need to realize that exercise is the fastest way to lose that weight. You should do some form of exercise a few times a week. Just do whatever you like, swimming, running, walking etc. It will make your body stronger, fitter and more flexible. Just remember to warm up with stretching exercises and then have a cooling down period the same way. Otherwise, you could end up with an injury. No one wants an injury when you are exercising.

Exercise also removes toxins and waste from the body. Without exercise they are stored as fat in the body. That is where water comes in to help flush these toxins from your body. In fact, for optimal health you should be expelling waste a few times a day. However, how many of us actually go to the washroom that often? No wonder we have problems! In this world of immediate satisfaction, we are told to reward ourselves with food. This is the wrong message for some people who are battling weight issues. We all need to get up from our seats, stretch, and move and buy something other then those sweet treats!  Wouldn’t you rather be muscle toned, slim, and fit into those jeans then overweight and tired and flabby and have nothing to wear?

 

Staying Young is Just Another Meal Away

 

Healthy foods to stay young? Of course, you’ve heard it before, probably when mom insisted to eat more apples and less burger even when you thought you were too young to age.
   
Indeed, mom was right. You’ll never know when you’ll start to age until you notice some crumpling and folding on your skin. Premature aging might just be a sleep away. And you never want to see that happen.
   
But it’s never too late. You can delay aging now by changing some items on your plates, and it’s just another meal away.

You Are What You Eat
   
The food and all other things that you take or don’t are laying the groundwork for your health and your appearance as well. For example, a person who has a pretty huge room for french fries and beef patties in his stomach may suffer more diseases and may not look age-appropriate. A person deficient in unsaturated fats, on the other hand, may have dry, flaky skin, and eventually look older than he actually is.
   
According to Samantha Heller, MS, RD, a clinical nutritionist at NYU Medical Center in New York City, what you eat becomes the outer fabric of your body. And the healthier that you put in your mouth, the better you will look. 
   
Sure, you don’t wanna look like french fries, or do you? Then, what should your next meal include?

High- fiber foods
   
Whole grains, cereals, black beans, apples, and pears are just some of the foods that are rich in fiber. Fiber found in these foods moves quickly and relatively easily through your digestive tract keeping bowel movements regular. Thereby preventing constipation,-one of the problems that aging people commonly encounter.

Fish, walnut, and flax seed oil
   
These foods are among the best sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA). EFA especially the omega-3 fatty acids regulate the fluidity or softness of the cell membranes, thus making your cell membranes healthy and hold more moisture. So that means younger looking skin.
   
Deficiency is visible in a hardening of the skin, as with dry skin and acne. And to those who are living in colder climates, you need more EFA for membrane fluidity.

Fruits and vegetables
   
Antioxidants from fruits and vegetables fight off free radicals, the byproducts of the body’s everyday processes that damage DNA, cells, and tissues. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals lessens the chances of damage to he body’s cells. And because you are guarding your cells from premature damage, you are also protecting yourself from premature aging.

Whole-grain cereals, organ meats, chicken, egg yolk, and garlic.
   
Selenium, found in these foods, plays a key role in making the skin healthy. It is a sulfur-like mineral that lessens the oxidative damage of skin cells. It also helps in regulating the thyroid hormone and helps prevent hypertension, cancer, and stroke. Selenium is often added to antioxidant vitamins.

Easy Move
   
If you think looking younger is difficult, there’s not much to worry. The easiest move you can make is to include more fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains to your daily menu. Control yourself from eating foods stuffed with much cholesterol, sodium, and calories. What you get is a healthier body and a younger-looking you.
   
Well, if you think it’s too early to look old, better think twice. It just doesn’t feel good to be called older than you really are.
   
And if you think you’re too old to look young, you’re never right. You can stop aging right at your plate, and even prove that "looks can be deceiving."
 

 

 

Detox Body in 7 Days with Internal Cleansers

 

Awareness is one key factor to be able to stay away from illnesses and diseases. With today’s medical costs soaring high, it is quite expensive to get sick. And for this reason, many people now are looking for ways to stay healthy. But the more important consideration is whether they are ready to make certain changes in their lives or not.

Staying healthy means that you should eat the right kinds of food at the right amount, avoiding harmful vices like smoking and excessive alcohol drinking, and most importantly, changing your life to the fullest. If you think you can keep up with all of these things, then you’re sure to live a healthy and illness-free lifestyle.

Your body is susceptible to many illnesses and diseases probably because of the things (like food and certain beverages) that you take in. Even the environment that you live in can affect the level of toxins inside the body. When the toxins are too much for the body’s natural detox process, the toxins build up. This build up can have certain harmful effects to the body which might cause a person to get sick.

The detox diet is very much popular nowadays, and the diet includes the use of different herbs and supplements. Other persons follow a certain diet which aids the body’s detox process. These foods help in the excretion of toxins through your skin, lungs, liver, intestines, and kidneys. The lymphatic system of the body also helps in eliminating toxins in the body.

But before starting any detox diet or program, it is best to consult first your doctor; just to be safe and for you to obtain a correct assessment of your present health condition.

There is also toxicity symptoms which you might be able to observe if you already have excessive toxin build up. And once you start to detox your body, these symptoms will usually get worse. But after a few more days, they will eventually pass. It is a good sign because the toxins inside your body are eliminated in big quantities.

If you’re still looking for an effective way to get rid of toxins in your body, why not try the detox body cleanser. It cleanses the internal parts of your body in just seven days. Yes, you’ve heard it right, seven days.

You can make use of this detox program for seven days, and eliminate those unwanted body toxins. The detox body cleanser usually comes in caplet forms, as well as in fiber packets. It consists of natural fiber and herbs. After seven days, you will feel detoxified, energized, and revitalized. There are even consumers who claim that they feel the great effects even on the first day.

Detox body cleansers are reasonably priced; in fact, you can get one at no more than $12. Price is not a very important consideration especially if you want to achieve healthy visible results.

Detox body cleansers are convenient to use, though it is made from herbs, these cleansers are usually great tasting which works naturally with the body’s digestion. The entire formula is geared towards complete internal body cleansing.

Detox body cleansers are not hard to find. You can find them in leading drugstores, and even in online stores. Cleanse your internal body for only seven days, try it now.