Breast Cancer Grants For Health Care Agencies
by Lara Sawyer
When it comes to breast cancer, there are many different kinds of grants each one designed for a specific purpose. Nevertheless, whether the money is needed for diagnosing, treating, doing research, educating, purchasing equipment, paying for staff, etc., there is always a source of funds in the form of a grant to pay for it or finance all the costs associated to these practices.
The funds do not come only from government agencies. On the contrary, the most significant amounts come from private foundations and other non-profit institutions that want to contribute to fighting breast cancer. Eligibility for either government grants or private funding differs from grant to grant but almost any health care agency that is performing tasks related to breast cancer screening, diagnosing or treating will find a source of funds in the form of a grant if needed.
The Purpose Of These Grants
Why do private institutions and the federal government provide funding for these projects? Simple: The idea is to assign the money needed to research on this topic and support different developments that concentrate on breast cancer. The projects can focus on treatments or education or any other area provided that it is breast cancer related.
The mission is to offer to women who are medically underserved all that is needed in terms of information to avoid breast cancer whenever possible and to treat it or eliminate it if feasible. This includes education, screening, detection, treatment, medicines, hiring staff, etc. There are many costs that are related to the subject that need to be covered and these grants are meant for that.
The Amounts at Stake
All these costs are quite high and therefore much money is needed to cover for them. But contrary to common belief, these grants provide increasingly higher funds that are already significant. For instance, the higher grant amount provided by a private institution not so long ago reached almost the figure of 5,000,000 dollars and was awarded to a single institution fighting breast cancer.
What Have The Funds Been Awarded For
So far breast cancer grants from private institutions have been awarded for educational programs to reach the community and let the same community refer other community members so the information can be spread as thoroughly as possible. They have also been awarded for providing support to cancer patients, not only physically but also psychologically.
When it comes to financial assistance, these grants have been awarded not only to provide medical assistance but also for counseling, child care for those mothers that cannot take care of their children due to the illness, transportation to and from the clinic where all the procedures are performed and many other types of financial assistance that a victim of breast cancer may need.
Also, many grants where awarded not only by private institutions but also by the government for seminars on breast cancer, research and many other scientific topics that also need to be funded in order to develop new ways to address this problem that affects hundreds of thousands women across the country and world.
More Information:
Lara Sawyer is the author of this article. She works successfully as a financial on Bad Credit Loans Guaranteed Approval. She publishes articles about Guaranteed Bad Credit Personal Loans and others at http://www.fastguaranteedloans.com
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article453946.html
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
The Health Benefits Of Fiber
The Health Benefits Of Fiber
by James Conte
by James Conte
Fiber is a very important part of everyone's eating plan. But what exactly is fiber? Fiber is one of the three types of carbohydrates. The other two are sugar and starch. Fiber is derived from various types of plants, it consists of zero calories, and passes through the entire digestive tract, unabsorbed in the blood stream. This is the reason that fiber has so many health benefits. The addition of fiber to your diet is crucial to attaining quick weight loss.
There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble, each has a different action in your digestive tract.
Insoluble fiber doesn't dissolve in water, and it's rough, hence the name "roughage" is sometimes applied to insoluble fiber. It passed through the digestive tract unabsorbed and decreases constipation by increasing the bulk of the feces. Insoluble fiber has basically no calories.
Soluble fiber does dissolve in water and turns into a jelly-like mass. This is great for diabetics as it slows down sugar absorption in the blood, helping to prevent spikes in blood glucose levels. Soluble fiber has about 4 calories per gram, the same as the other types of carbohydrates.
One of the ways fiber helps you lose weight is by causing you to have to chew more and slowing down the absorption of nutrients. By eating slower, you have time to realize you're full sooner, so you eat less.
So, beside oatmeal, what are some good fiber sources? Good sources of soluble fiber include oats, beans, fruit, and barley. Insoluble fiber is found in wheat brain, raw vegetables, like carrots and celery, and nuts. It's even being "hidden" in things such as yogurt, like the Activia series by Dannon, which also adds live bacteria cultures to your stomach, which are very beneficial.
There are conflicts about how much fiber you should include in your diet each day. Some experts say that it is impossible to eat too much fiber, however, if you are a diabetic, too many soluble carbohydrates may not be good.
There are supplements you can take to get fiber into your diet, but they won't necessarily have the same cholesterol lowering benefits as a natural food source for fiber, such as oats or nuts.
As a general rule, it is beneficial to eat a large amount of fiber due to the many chronic diseases it helps prevent. Remember, if you eat a lot of carbohydrates, you should include more fiber because it helps control the spiking of your blood sugar. Fiber, particularly insoluble fiber, is critical to achieving rapid weight loss.
Just remember to consume a healthy amount of unprocessed foods and vegetables in your diet, and you should get an adequate amount of dietary fiber.
More Information:
To see how you can lose weight rapidly visit us at: quick weight loss To learn how to maintain your losses for the long term go to: how to lose weight
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article314093.html
Health Issues Related To Non Organic Products
Health Issues Related to Non Organic Products
by Clifford H Woods
Health Issues Related to Non Organic Products
By Clifford H Woods
Many patients ask their physicians if eating organic food, which costs much more, better for them? Are their health problems related to non-organic produce? Not certain, Stamford University physicians went through piles of research to find out. The evidence is not in large number, but still there is evidence that organic products are much healthier because of two major reasons related to pesticides and germ resistant antibiotics. The problems with both are usually most harmful in babies, toddlers, small children, individuals with allergies and the elderly.
Small Exposure to Pesticides They advise that eating organic vegetables and fruits will lower exposure to pesticides, especially in children, but the amounts that have been measured from produce that was both organically and inorganically grown, are still most of the time considered safe. At least, that is what Stamford researchers have reported. The amount of nutrients do prove to be more in foods that are organically grown, but not as much as it was first believed to be.
Non Organic produce has a 30 percent higher risk of containing any detectable levels of pesticides. In two studies, urine testing showed much lower levels of pesticide in those on organic diets. Also, one conclusion suggested that the insecticide in the urine could be due to insecticide used in our homes and might be more to blame than in the food.
But there are some researchers who do suggest that even small exposures to pesticide might be a risk for most children, so it is probably safer for children to eat organic products (vegetables and fruits that are organically grown).
Difference in Problems with Health Needless to say, most physicians at Stamford were very surprised. There are numerous reasons why somebody might select organic foods over conventional foods from the concern for the environment to taste preferences. But with health problems, there only seem to be just the two - more pesticides and problems with antibiotic-germ resistance.
Antibiotic-Resistant Germs The largest problem found is with bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant, which is already a public health concern, since these are the bacteria that are more difficult to treat when a person gets any form of food poisoning and can often lead to death.
Experts have said for a long time that when chemically treated or in non-organic manner, the odds of contamination by bacteria can be a problem and the Stamford study did agree. Often bacteria that is found, for example in pork or chicken, that are grown with chemicals producing non-organic meats, have a 33% higher rate of bacteria with antibiotic resistant to multiple antibiotics, which has been reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine a prestigious medical journal.
Debate over Antibiotics Given to Animals This finding comes in the middle of an already occurring debate over antibiotics being fed to animals not due to sickness, but rather to further fatten them up. Farmers maintain that this is necessary in order to meet the demand for meat that is cheaper.
Advocates for public health say it is a major contributor to the nation’s growing problem with germs that are becoming harder and harder to treat. Between the years 2000 to 2010, there have been 24 outbreaks linked to germs in food that are multi-drug-resistant. The government has begun taking steps to stop the non-medical use of antibiotics on large poultry farms.
Organic Food Markets The business of organic products is currently booming. Approximately 70% of Americans buy food that is organic occasionally and nearly one-quarter say they buy it every week. The reason most of them gave was that they wanted natural food that is better for them and for the environment. But buying organic food can cost you up to 50% more, so it is important that you buy these foods from markets or farmers that have food that is clearly marked organic.
Health wise: with the amount of antibiotics being used in non-organically grown chicken, pork and beef - before you decide which is better it is important to understand that if a child or elderly person gets food poisoning from drug resistant bacteria it can often lead to death. And these types of bacteria are most often found in non-organic food.
More Information:
Clifford H Woods is the Executive Director of Vibrant Life.
You can find out more Here
We Provide Great Products, Excellent and Useful Information with Exceptional Customer Care and Service.
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article455031.html
by Clifford H Woods
Health Issues Related to Non Organic Products
By Clifford H Woods
Many patients ask their physicians if eating organic food, which costs much more, better for them? Are their health problems related to non-organic produce? Not certain, Stamford University physicians went through piles of research to find out. The evidence is not in large number, but still there is evidence that organic products are much healthier because of two major reasons related to pesticides and germ resistant antibiotics. The problems with both are usually most harmful in babies, toddlers, small children, individuals with allergies and the elderly.
Small Exposure to Pesticides They advise that eating organic vegetables and fruits will lower exposure to pesticides, especially in children, but the amounts that have been measured from produce that was both organically and inorganically grown, are still most of the time considered safe. At least, that is what Stamford researchers have reported. The amount of nutrients do prove to be more in foods that are organically grown, but not as much as it was first believed to be.
Non Organic produce has a 30 percent higher risk of containing any detectable levels of pesticides. In two studies, urine testing showed much lower levels of pesticide in those on organic diets. Also, one conclusion suggested that the insecticide in the urine could be due to insecticide used in our homes and might be more to blame than in the food.
But there are some researchers who do suggest that even small exposures to pesticide might be a risk for most children, so it is probably safer for children to eat organic products (vegetables and fruits that are organically grown).
Difference in Problems with Health Needless to say, most physicians at Stamford were very surprised. There are numerous reasons why somebody might select organic foods over conventional foods from the concern for the environment to taste preferences. But with health problems, there only seem to be just the two - more pesticides and problems with antibiotic-germ resistance.
Antibiotic-Resistant Germs The largest problem found is with bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant, which is already a public health concern, since these are the bacteria that are more difficult to treat when a person gets any form of food poisoning and can often lead to death.
Experts have said for a long time that when chemically treated or in non-organic manner, the odds of contamination by bacteria can be a problem and the Stamford study did agree. Often bacteria that is found, for example in pork or chicken, that are grown with chemicals producing non-organic meats, have a 33% higher rate of bacteria with antibiotic resistant to multiple antibiotics, which has been reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine a prestigious medical journal.
Debate over Antibiotics Given to Animals This finding comes in the middle of an already occurring debate over antibiotics being fed to animals not due to sickness, but rather to further fatten them up. Farmers maintain that this is necessary in order to meet the demand for meat that is cheaper.
Advocates for public health say it is a major contributor to the nation’s growing problem with germs that are becoming harder and harder to treat. Between the years 2000 to 2010, there have been 24 outbreaks linked to germs in food that are multi-drug-resistant. The government has begun taking steps to stop the non-medical use of antibiotics on large poultry farms.
Organic Food Markets The business of organic products is currently booming. Approximately 70% of Americans buy food that is organic occasionally and nearly one-quarter say they buy it every week. The reason most of them gave was that they wanted natural food that is better for them and for the environment. But buying organic food can cost you up to 50% more, so it is important that you buy these foods from markets or farmers that have food that is clearly marked organic.
Health wise: with the amount of antibiotics being used in non-organically grown chicken, pork and beef - before you decide which is better it is important to understand that if a child or elderly person gets food poisoning from drug resistant bacteria it can often lead to death. And these types of bacteria are most often found in non-organic food.
More Information:
Clifford H Woods is the Executive Director of Vibrant Life.
You can find out more Here
We Provide Great Products, Excellent and Useful Information with Exceptional Customer Care and Service.
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article455031.html
Monday, September 16, 2013
The Benefits Of A Juicing Diet
The Benefits of a Juicing Diet
by Margaret Le Monnier
Juicing for health is a practical, no-nonsense option to get all your essential vitamins, minerals and proteins needed to meet the required daily allowance. Besides, it is a tantalising treat for your taste buds; one that you will certainly delight in. Just let your imagination go wild. If you have never tried a juicing diet before, the benefits are outstanding; it can be used to promote health, weight loss, and build your immune system.
Our discussion on juice will combine the blending of plant sources, which some individuals may find distinct from pure liquid extractions. You can’t go wrong in either juicing or blending (retention of pulp example purees and "smoothies"), although blending retains close to 100 percent of the properties of the food and may therefore have better nutrient value. The ability of juicing to retain more nutrients is related to the quality of the juicer. Check with the manufacturer.
A juicing diet is the process of extracting or creating (blending) the natural fluids from fruits, vegetables and proteins (yes, peanut punch yum!), that promotes health or achieves weight loss. There are many methods of juicing, from squeezing the juice manually by hand or with the aid of a miniature household appliance (example cone-shaped orange juicer) to more sophisticated variable speed motor-driven devices. Whichever method you choose, the concept is the same; it is extracting and liquefying the pure essence of the food of your choice, consuming its natural wholesome content and experiencing the change as it acts in promoting a balanced internal state. A big plus for many heath seekers is that with juicing or blending you can easily achieve the optimum amount of nutrients your body needs without feeling pressured to regularly sit down in front of a full plate of veggies.
If we were to follow the recommended dietary guidelines which include the majority of nutrients obtained from fruits and vegetables as the baseline to good health, we would all be exasperated; unless you are a vegan or vegetarian, who has a diet already rich in these foods.
Benefits of a juicing diet
Juicing can take many forms, according to your preference; one of the many benefits to blending together rich plant ingredients. You can have it thick in the form of purees and smoothies, or you can have it much thinner as a refreshing drink or a combination of juice with fragments of fruits and pulp.
Extracting juice is popular with individuals in favour of natural and alternative approaches; raw foodists, vegans, and persons seeking healthy weight-loss plans. These proponents report the benefits of a liquid diet as having the ability to maximise nutrient intake, fight diseases, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and mental illness. Incorporating juices is said to increase your life span as it strengthens cellular defense against free radicals (toxins associated with degeneration), encourages weight loss and decrease the need for medication.
In a study that evaluated 500 people who made fresh juices several times a day showed dramatic results. Eighty-per cent lost weight and had marked improvements in digestion, allergies, sleep, skin conditions and achieved mental and emotional well-being.
When you consistently drink fresh juices your whole internal environment changes, the anti-oxidant benefits cleanses the body of stored wastes and toxins encouraging better elimination, for a pure disease free system. Raw juices also contain biophotons, light rays of energy plants from the sun, which is an important preserve of nutrients. Most commercial juices don’t contain them mainly because they have been pasteurized.
The more juices you consume the greater the percentage of uncooked food will be in your diet. Cooked food residues clog up your digestive system, lower your immune system and encourage the build-up of toxins.
Juices are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream because only a small amount of digestion is required; it gives the digestive system a break and the nutrients they contain are almost 100% bio-available.
Considerations of Juicing
It should be noted that consuming juices alone is only ideal in the short term for cleansing, as an alternative treatment for health conditions, or to rev up your weight loss plan. Juices can be drunk throughout the day, every day as long as it is done in conjunction with other meals to ensure nutritive balance, particularly of proteins. Mastication of foods is an important consideration, which evidently does not occur with the intake of juices, and is a vital function of the jaw muscles (temporomandibular joints) as well as for oral health. Unless a person is told by his doctor not to chew his or her food due to illness or disease, chewing performs an important function in the normally healthy individual.
Drawbacks/Contraindications
The Mayo Clinic has responded to several claims of the positive benefits of extracting juice by noting that their effects are negligible at best. They articulate that juice extraction can either be helpful, benign or just counter-productive, depending on the person’s goal. Their main argument is the lack of conclusive scientific evidence that warrants the intake of a food in its liquid state, as opposed to consuming the plant source in its original form.
Other contraindications for a juicing diet came from a number of actual juicers who unanimously stated that they were tired all the time. But, they admitted not sipping their juices slowly throughout the day to avoid the inevitable crash that comes with consuming 30 grams or more of carbohydrates all at once. It is a lot of sugar, albeit natural sugars. They also said that they had lost a lot of weight initially after a 7 day diet (on average 9 pounds) but gained back almost half of the weigh soon after (approximately 2 weeks) returning to a more balanced diet.
It must be stated here that a juice diet containing high glycaemic index fruit juices is not ideal and should be balanced with low glycaemic fruits and vegetables.
Note that proteins are not found in high quantities in juice diets. Proteins help repair and build muscles, bone cartilage and blood for energy and normal function. It helps our body manufacture the haemoglobin it needs to carry oxygen to every cell in the body, without protein your body literally starts shutting down, and you will feel lethargic.
A juicing diet has clear health benefits and can be done simply with some manual kitchen devices, or you can use the more elaborate and expensive juicers. However, as mentioned previously blending incorporates all the natural elements of a given plant and many foods can easily be incorporated using a relatively inexpensive appliance.
Either way it is how to supply much larger amounts of nutrients to our diets that most people don’t realize can have massive benefits on our health. So try it, you may be amazed at the benefits to your health!
More Information:
Margaret Le Monnier has over 20 years-experience as a qualified natural health professional in the UK. She is now writing articles for a website solely devoted to bringing a comprehensive range of natural health advice to everyone. To find out more about juicer diets visit her website at Natural Health 4 Life.
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article443046.html
by Margaret Le Monnier
Juicing for health is a practical, no-nonsense option to get all your essential vitamins, minerals and proteins needed to meet the required daily allowance. Besides, it is a tantalising treat for your taste buds; one that you will certainly delight in. Just let your imagination go wild. If you have never tried a juicing diet before, the benefits are outstanding; it can be used to promote health, weight loss, and build your immune system.
Our discussion on juice will combine the blending of plant sources, which some individuals may find distinct from pure liquid extractions. You can’t go wrong in either juicing or blending (retention of pulp example purees and "smoothies"), although blending retains close to 100 percent of the properties of the food and may therefore have better nutrient value. The ability of juicing to retain more nutrients is related to the quality of the juicer. Check with the manufacturer.
A juicing diet is the process of extracting or creating (blending) the natural fluids from fruits, vegetables and proteins (yes, peanut punch yum!), that promotes health or achieves weight loss. There are many methods of juicing, from squeezing the juice manually by hand or with the aid of a miniature household appliance (example cone-shaped orange juicer) to more sophisticated variable speed motor-driven devices. Whichever method you choose, the concept is the same; it is extracting and liquefying the pure essence of the food of your choice, consuming its natural wholesome content and experiencing the change as it acts in promoting a balanced internal state. A big plus for many heath seekers is that with juicing or blending you can easily achieve the optimum amount of nutrients your body needs without feeling pressured to regularly sit down in front of a full plate of veggies.
If we were to follow the recommended dietary guidelines which include the majority of nutrients obtained from fruits and vegetables as the baseline to good health, we would all be exasperated; unless you are a vegan or vegetarian, who has a diet already rich in these foods.
Benefits of a juicing diet
Juicing can take many forms, according to your preference; one of the many benefits to blending together rich plant ingredients. You can have it thick in the form of purees and smoothies, or you can have it much thinner as a refreshing drink or a combination of juice with fragments of fruits and pulp.
Extracting juice is popular with individuals in favour of natural and alternative approaches; raw foodists, vegans, and persons seeking healthy weight-loss plans. These proponents report the benefits of a liquid diet as having the ability to maximise nutrient intake, fight diseases, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and mental illness. Incorporating juices is said to increase your life span as it strengthens cellular defense against free radicals (toxins associated with degeneration), encourages weight loss and decrease the need for medication.
In a study that evaluated 500 people who made fresh juices several times a day showed dramatic results. Eighty-per cent lost weight and had marked improvements in digestion, allergies, sleep, skin conditions and achieved mental and emotional well-being.
When you consistently drink fresh juices your whole internal environment changes, the anti-oxidant benefits cleanses the body of stored wastes and toxins encouraging better elimination, for a pure disease free system. Raw juices also contain biophotons, light rays of energy plants from the sun, which is an important preserve of nutrients. Most commercial juices don’t contain them mainly because they have been pasteurized.
The more juices you consume the greater the percentage of uncooked food will be in your diet. Cooked food residues clog up your digestive system, lower your immune system and encourage the build-up of toxins.
Juices are absorbed quickly into the bloodstream because only a small amount of digestion is required; it gives the digestive system a break and the nutrients they contain are almost 100% bio-available.
Considerations of Juicing
It should be noted that consuming juices alone is only ideal in the short term for cleansing, as an alternative treatment for health conditions, or to rev up your weight loss plan. Juices can be drunk throughout the day, every day as long as it is done in conjunction with other meals to ensure nutritive balance, particularly of proteins. Mastication of foods is an important consideration, which evidently does not occur with the intake of juices, and is a vital function of the jaw muscles (temporomandibular joints) as well as for oral health. Unless a person is told by his doctor not to chew his or her food due to illness or disease, chewing performs an important function in the normally healthy individual.
Drawbacks/Contraindications
The Mayo Clinic has responded to several claims of the positive benefits of extracting juice by noting that their effects are negligible at best. They articulate that juice extraction can either be helpful, benign or just counter-productive, depending on the person’s goal. Their main argument is the lack of conclusive scientific evidence that warrants the intake of a food in its liquid state, as opposed to consuming the plant source in its original form.
Other contraindications for a juicing diet came from a number of actual juicers who unanimously stated that they were tired all the time. But, they admitted not sipping their juices slowly throughout the day to avoid the inevitable crash that comes with consuming 30 grams or more of carbohydrates all at once. It is a lot of sugar, albeit natural sugars. They also said that they had lost a lot of weight initially after a 7 day diet (on average 9 pounds) but gained back almost half of the weigh soon after (approximately 2 weeks) returning to a more balanced diet.
It must be stated here that a juice diet containing high glycaemic index fruit juices is not ideal and should be balanced with low glycaemic fruits and vegetables.
Note that proteins are not found in high quantities in juice diets. Proteins help repair and build muscles, bone cartilage and blood for energy and normal function. It helps our body manufacture the haemoglobin it needs to carry oxygen to every cell in the body, without protein your body literally starts shutting down, and you will feel lethargic.
A juicing diet has clear health benefits and can be done simply with some manual kitchen devices, or you can use the more elaborate and expensive juicers. However, as mentioned previously blending incorporates all the natural elements of a given plant and many foods can easily be incorporated using a relatively inexpensive appliance.
Either way it is how to supply much larger amounts of nutrients to our diets that most people don’t realize can have massive benefits on our health. So try it, you may be amazed at the benefits to your health!
More Information:
Margaret Le Monnier has over 20 years-experience as a qualified natural health professional in the UK. She is now writing articles for a website solely devoted to bringing a comprehensive range of natural health advice to everyone. To find out more about juicer diets visit her website at Natural Health 4 Life.
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article443046.html
Grapes - Nutrient Information And Other Interesting Facts About Grapes
Grapes - Nutrient Information and Other Interesting Facts about Grapes
by Audrey Thompson
Aside from the nutrient content of grapes, the flavor of the fruit makes it a favorite plant food among many people. Grapes are a delicious berry fruit from the Vitaceae plant family. The Vitaceae name is derived from the genus Vitis, which is composed of about 60 species of grapevines. Most of those species are from the Northern Hemisphere and are economically important as a source of grapes for both the consumption of the fruit and for fermentation to produce wine. Grapes grow in clusters of about 15 to 300 and range in colors from black, dark blue, crimson, pink, orange, and green. Grapes are most often eaten raw and used to make jam, juice, grape seed extract, raisins, vinegar, grape seed oil, and wine. Grapes are certainty a very delicious fruit that is utilized for several food preparations. Beyond their delicious flavor, grapes are a good source of several nutrients. They're particularly a good source of resveratrol, flavonoids, and water. They also contain some vitamin C and potassium.
Resveratrol is a potent, nutritious compound that's found in the skin of red grapes and several other fruits. It's important to note, however, that red wine contains very little of the nutrient. This is perhaps due to red wine being formed mostly from the juice of grapes, which comes from the flesh of the fruit. The potent nutrient is most concentrated in the skins of the fruit. So although some resveratrol is found in red wine and grape juice, to get the most amount of the nutrient it's better to eat grapes in their unprocessed form (along with the skins). There are several health benefits of resveratrol. Plants that contain resveratrol use the compound to protect themselves against attack by microorganisms that can harm them. So the same way that plants use the nutrient to protect themselves, is the same way the nutrient protects humans who ingest it. So resveratrol protects against micro-organisms that cause cancer and several other illnesses, and it even protects against conditions such as heart disease.
Flavonoids are nutrient compounds that, although not essential, are highly beneficial. The specific flavonoids in grapes come from the seeds and skins. They're called proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins are highly potent antioxidants that work to prevent illnesses and conditions such as cancer. They're actually considered to be several times more potent than vitamins C and E.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient needed for several functions in the human body. To begin with, vitamin C is also an antioxidant nutrient so it prevents the formation of free radicals and it neutralizes those that are already there. Vitamin C is required for tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function, and healthy gums. The nutrient protects against infection and enhances immunity. Vitamin C may also reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and it may even prevent atherosclerosis. Another reason we need vitamin C is because the nutrient is essential for the formation of collagen. Collagen is the structured foundation for skin and many tissues including cartilage, bone, tendons, and muscles.
Potassium is another essential nutrient that's found in grapes, in small quantities. Potassium is a mineral nutrient that is required for several functions. The nutrient is particularly important because it regulates blood pressure at the right levels for maximum heart health. Potassium's ability to lower blood pressure is so efficient that scientists warn against potassium deficiency. Consuming a healthy diet of a variety of plant foods is the healthiest way to obtain adequate amounts of the nutrient.
To obtain all the wonderful health benefits that grapes have to offer, add some of the delicious fruit to your regular diet.
More Information:
Audrey Thompson writes about nutrition, natural health, and alternative medicine. Learning about the nutrient information in foods reminds us of why it's important to eat and drink healthy foods. All edible plant foods offer a unique set of nutrients and health benefits. For a healthy diet, it's very beneficial to learn about the essential nutrients.
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article443298.html
by Audrey Thompson
Aside from the nutrient content of grapes, the flavor of the fruit makes it a favorite plant food among many people. Grapes are a delicious berry fruit from the Vitaceae plant family. The Vitaceae name is derived from the genus Vitis, which is composed of about 60 species of grapevines. Most of those species are from the Northern Hemisphere and are economically important as a source of grapes for both the consumption of the fruit and for fermentation to produce wine. Grapes grow in clusters of about 15 to 300 and range in colors from black, dark blue, crimson, pink, orange, and green. Grapes are most often eaten raw and used to make jam, juice, grape seed extract, raisins, vinegar, grape seed oil, and wine. Grapes are certainty a very delicious fruit that is utilized for several food preparations. Beyond their delicious flavor, grapes are a good source of several nutrients. They're particularly a good source of resveratrol, flavonoids, and water. They also contain some vitamin C and potassium.
Resveratrol is a potent, nutritious compound that's found in the skin of red grapes and several other fruits. It's important to note, however, that red wine contains very little of the nutrient. This is perhaps due to red wine being formed mostly from the juice of grapes, which comes from the flesh of the fruit. The potent nutrient is most concentrated in the skins of the fruit. So although some resveratrol is found in red wine and grape juice, to get the most amount of the nutrient it's better to eat grapes in their unprocessed form (along with the skins). There are several health benefits of resveratrol. Plants that contain resveratrol use the compound to protect themselves against attack by microorganisms that can harm them. So the same way that plants use the nutrient to protect themselves, is the same way the nutrient protects humans who ingest it. So resveratrol protects against micro-organisms that cause cancer and several other illnesses, and it even protects against conditions such as heart disease.
Flavonoids are nutrient compounds that, although not essential, are highly beneficial. The specific flavonoids in grapes come from the seeds and skins. They're called proanthocyanidins. Proanthocyanidins are highly potent antioxidants that work to prevent illnesses and conditions such as cancer. They're actually considered to be several times more potent than vitamins C and E.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient needed for several functions in the human body. To begin with, vitamin C is also an antioxidant nutrient so it prevents the formation of free radicals and it neutralizes those that are already there. Vitamin C is required for tissue growth and repair, adrenal gland function, and healthy gums. The nutrient protects against infection and enhances immunity. Vitamin C may also reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and it may even prevent atherosclerosis. Another reason we need vitamin C is because the nutrient is essential for the formation of collagen. Collagen is the structured foundation for skin and many tissues including cartilage, bone, tendons, and muscles.
Potassium is another essential nutrient that's found in grapes, in small quantities. Potassium is a mineral nutrient that is required for several functions. The nutrient is particularly important because it regulates blood pressure at the right levels for maximum heart health. Potassium's ability to lower blood pressure is so efficient that scientists warn against potassium deficiency. Consuming a healthy diet of a variety of plant foods is the healthiest way to obtain adequate amounts of the nutrient.
To obtain all the wonderful health benefits that grapes have to offer, add some of the delicious fruit to your regular diet.
More Information:
Audrey Thompson writes about nutrition, natural health, and alternative medicine. Learning about the nutrient information in foods reminds us of why it's important to eat and drink healthy foods. All edible plant foods offer a unique set of nutrients and health benefits. For a healthy diet, it's very beneficial to learn about the essential nutrients.
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article443298.html
Organic Spirulina, Raw Cashews And Raw Cacao Round Out The Perfect Raw Food Diet
Organic spirulina, raw cashews and raw cacao round out the perfect raw food diet
by Jan Corriveau
Spirulina is packed with nutrients from marine algae and omega fatty acids. The acids in the organic spirulina powder boost the immune system, aid the digestive system, improve skin tone and texture and help a person maintain lasting energy. It can be added to smoothies, soups, and salads.
Building a strong body
A kilo of organic spirulina is said to equal the power of 1,000 vegetables. If this is true, organic spirulina is an incredible nutrient superfood. But, raw food eaters shouldn’t depend on spirulina alone. Raw cashews and also raw cacao have untapped potential.
Vietnamese raw cashews combined with organic spirulina offers nutruience to give a person vibrant skin, optimal brain function, healthy digestion and also increase good cardiovascular health. This is because these raw cashews contain high amounts of magnesium, zinc and oleic acid. These cashews can be used in creamy, savory sauce recipes or as an addition to dessert.
Not ordinary raw cashews
Vietnamese raw cashews are cracked a lower temperatures to preserve nutrients in the nuts. They also have a different taste than the traditional "American" raw cashew. Raw nuts mean raw diet eaters can avoid getting high blood pressure from eating canned, salted nuts and receive the added benefits healthy eating affords.
Bring in raw cacao
Some raw food dieters may not realize cacao can taste different depending upon where it is produced. An Indian cacao, for instance, includes chocolaty, grassy hints fused with fruity hints of vanilla, nutmeg, banana and clove. These undertones may be quite different from an organically grown raw cacao in Madagascar, for example.
When using raw cacao to make chocolates, cakes, and other foods (such as smoothies), choose a raw cacao that can be certified as a superfood and has a verifiable ORAC score of more than 87,000 per 100 grams of fat.This means the raw cacao is a good source of energy and can provide much needed minerals to sustain any healthy body. Two questions remain: Does this really work, and how do you know without trying this raw food for yourself?
This may be answered by beginning the first step toward a long and healthy lifestyle, pampered vibrant skin and boosting brain activity daily by eating cashew, cacao and using spirulina regularly.
More Information:
Radiant Raw Superfoods was founded by a raw foodist couple with the intention of providing high quality raw food products to the world. Our goal is to help as many people as possible to achieve optimal health and vitality through a natural, healthy lifestyle - vibrant health is your greatest wealth! For more information visit http://www.radiantrawsuperfoods.com
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article445160.html
by Jan Corriveau
Spirulina is packed with nutrients from marine algae and omega fatty acids. The acids in the organic spirulina powder boost the immune system, aid the digestive system, improve skin tone and texture and help a person maintain lasting energy. It can be added to smoothies, soups, and salads.
Building a strong body
A kilo of organic spirulina is said to equal the power of 1,000 vegetables. If this is true, organic spirulina is an incredible nutrient superfood. But, raw food eaters shouldn’t depend on spirulina alone. Raw cashews and also raw cacao have untapped potential.
Vietnamese raw cashews combined with organic spirulina offers nutruience to give a person vibrant skin, optimal brain function, healthy digestion and also increase good cardiovascular health. This is because these raw cashews contain high amounts of magnesium, zinc and oleic acid. These cashews can be used in creamy, savory sauce recipes or as an addition to dessert.
Not ordinary raw cashews
Vietnamese raw cashews are cracked a lower temperatures to preserve nutrients in the nuts. They also have a different taste than the traditional "American" raw cashew. Raw nuts mean raw diet eaters can avoid getting high blood pressure from eating canned, salted nuts and receive the added benefits healthy eating affords.
Bring in raw cacao
Some raw food dieters may not realize cacao can taste different depending upon where it is produced. An Indian cacao, for instance, includes chocolaty, grassy hints fused with fruity hints of vanilla, nutmeg, banana and clove. These undertones may be quite different from an organically grown raw cacao in Madagascar, for example.
When using raw cacao to make chocolates, cakes, and other foods (such as smoothies), choose a raw cacao that can be certified as a superfood and has a verifiable ORAC score of more than 87,000 per 100 grams of fat.This means the raw cacao is a good source of energy and can provide much needed minerals to sustain any healthy body. Two questions remain: Does this really work, and how do you know without trying this raw food for yourself?
This may be answered by beginning the first step toward a long and healthy lifestyle, pampered vibrant skin and boosting brain activity daily by eating cashew, cacao and using spirulina regularly.
More Information:
Radiant Raw Superfoods was founded by a raw foodist couple with the intention of providing high quality raw food products to the world. Our goal is to help as many people as possible to achieve optimal health and vitality through a natural, healthy lifestyle - vibrant health is your greatest wealth! For more information visit http://www.radiantrawsuperfoods.com
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article445160.html
Explore The Lifestyle Benefits Of Pecans, Almonds And Walnuts
Explore the Lifestyle Benefits of Pecans, Almonds and Walnuts
by Jan Corriveau
Pecans, almonds and walnuts are all known as superfoods. They are high in various vitamins, minerals and other things the body needs to keep functioning at its peak.
A handful of walnuts, pecans or almonds every day can have good long term health benefits. When choosing nuts, you should consider purchasing ones that are raw. Adding salt to walnuts, pecans and almonds just increases the natural sodium content, which can be bad for you.
How Pecans Keep You Healthy
Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals per serving. They are full of antioxidants. In fact, pecans are one of the top 20 foods when it comes to antioxidant density.
Pecans have the highest amount of antioxidants among any of the nuts, including almonds. Pecans are also rich in oleic acid. Eating foods rich in oleic acid can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Pecans also help with prostate and heart health. Pecans have also been shown to help with weight loss.
How Almonds Can Benefit You
Almonds have the highest amount of calcium in the edible nut family. One ounce of almonds has 75mg of calcium in it. That is the same amount of calcium as two ounces of milk.
Since calcium is especially good for your teeth and bones, eating almonds will help contribute to healthy teeth and bones. Almonds can also help prevent gallstones.
Almonds are also high in potassium. Potassium helps to improve blood circulation. It also helps regulate blood pressure.
Almonds are also great for diabetic people. They help to reduce the spike in insulin and sugar levels that often occurs after eating.
The Lifestyle Benefits of Walnuts
Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can help with inflammations caused by various diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and eczema and asthma. Eating one serving of walnuts a day can help ease the pain of these diseases.
A study done at the Pennsylvania State University found that walnuts can help reduce stress. Including walnuts as a regular part of your diet can help lower blood pressure responses to stress and resting blood pressure rates.
Walnuts are also rich in Omega-6 fatty acids. These should also be included in a healthy diet.
Studies have shown that the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio in your diet should be 4:1. That is the exact ratio of these two fatty acids in walnuts.
Please consult your doctor before adding any almonds, walnuts or pecans to your diet. Nuts and nut products should be avoided entirely if you have an allergy to them.
More Information:
Founded by a couple that loves raw foods, we at Radiant Raw Superfoods provide raw food products of the highest quality to an international clientele. Our goal is to spread optimal health, wealth and vitality by promoting a very natural, healthy lifestyle. Visit us to learn more at www.radiantrawsuperfoods.com
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article446003.html
by Jan Corriveau
Pecans, almonds and walnuts are all known as superfoods. They are high in various vitamins, minerals and other things the body needs to keep functioning at its peak.
A handful of walnuts, pecans or almonds every day can have good long term health benefits. When choosing nuts, you should consider purchasing ones that are raw. Adding salt to walnuts, pecans and almonds just increases the natural sodium content, which can be bad for you.
How Pecans Keep You Healthy
Pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals per serving. They are full of antioxidants. In fact, pecans are one of the top 20 foods when it comes to antioxidant density.
Pecans have the highest amount of antioxidants among any of the nuts, including almonds. Pecans are also rich in oleic acid. Eating foods rich in oleic acid can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Pecans also help with prostate and heart health. Pecans have also been shown to help with weight loss.
How Almonds Can Benefit You
Almonds have the highest amount of calcium in the edible nut family. One ounce of almonds has 75mg of calcium in it. That is the same amount of calcium as two ounces of milk.
Since calcium is especially good for your teeth and bones, eating almonds will help contribute to healthy teeth and bones. Almonds can also help prevent gallstones.
Almonds are also high in potassium. Potassium helps to improve blood circulation. It also helps regulate blood pressure.
Almonds are also great for diabetic people. They help to reduce the spike in insulin and sugar levels that often occurs after eating.
The Lifestyle Benefits of Walnuts
Walnuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can help with inflammations caused by various diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and eczema and asthma. Eating one serving of walnuts a day can help ease the pain of these diseases.
A study done at the Pennsylvania State University found that walnuts can help reduce stress. Including walnuts as a regular part of your diet can help lower blood pressure responses to stress and resting blood pressure rates.
Walnuts are also rich in Omega-6 fatty acids. These should also be included in a healthy diet.
Studies have shown that the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio in your diet should be 4:1. That is the exact ratio of these two fatty acids in walnuts.
Please consult your doctor before adding any almonds, walnuts or pecans to your diet. Nuts and nut products should be avoided entirely if you have an allergy to them.
More Information:
Founded by a couple that loves raw foods, we at Radiant Raw Superfoods provide raw food products of the highest quality to an international clientele. Our goal is to spread optimal health, wealth and vitality by promoting a very natural, healthy lifestyle. Visit us to learn more at www.radiantrawsuperfoods.com
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article446003.html
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Vitamin D
Vitamin D
by Vitamins Australia
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article172764.html
by Vitamins Australia
Introduction
One of the fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin D constitutes two major forms which are vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol. Vitamin D2 is synthesised by plants while vitamin D3 is synthesised by the body. Vitamin D is naturally present in a number of food sources and dietary supplements, and is also manufactured with the aid of sun exposure. It is produced within the body when ultraviolet-B or UVB rays from sunlight reaches the skin. The liver and the kidney eventually help to convert vitamin D to an active hormone form.
Functions of Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays several key roles in the maintenance of organ systems. For example:
* Vitamin D helps regulate calcium concentrations in the blood. Since it works more like a hormone, its active form, calcitriol acts with the parathyroid hormone or PTH. If the calcium level is low, this would trigger the secretion of PTH, which would stimulate the conversion of vitamin D to calcitriol. Calcitriol would then act to increase calcium absorption in the intestines, calcium resorption in the kidneys and stimulate calcium release from the bones.
* Vitamin D helps maintain blood phosphorus levels. Low levels of vitamin D can result in an overactive parathyroid gland. Also with inadequate phosphorus in the body, bones cannot undergo normal mineralisation.
* It is also said that vitamin D benefits the immune system since the T-cells or immune cells have receptors for vitamin D. It acts by boosting phagocytosis, the bodily functions to combat tumours, modulate neuromuscular and immune functions and reduce inflammation.
* Vitamin D is also responsible for maintaining normal cell growth and function. It may be an important element to the prevention and treatment of cancer. It has also been suggested that vitamin D plays a role in regulating the growth and function of brain cells.
* Research studies suggest that vitamin D, because of its anti-inflammatory effect, plays a role in providing protection against osteoporosis, hypertension, cancer, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and numerous autoimmune diseases.
Deficiency Conditions
There may be certain underlying causes of vitamin D deficiency. It can result from:
* Inadequate vitamin D intake together with inadequate sun exposure
* Certain disorders that compromise vitamin D absorption
* Conditions that can impair the conversion of vitamin D metabolites such as kidney or liver diseases or hereditary disorders.
Insufficient vitamin D intake can have serious effects on the bones, which can make them thin, brittle or deformed. Vitamin D deficiency often results in conditions like:
* Rickets which is common in children and is characterised by delayed growth and deformity of long bones.
* Osteomalacia, which occurs in adults and results in thinning of the bones. Signs of proximal weakness and bone fragility are familiar characteristics.
* Osteoporosis which is a condition wherein the bone mineral density is reduced and bone fragility is increased.
Lack of vitamin D may also be linked to increased susceptibility of several chronic diseases like high blood pressure, cancer, tuberculosis, periodontal disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, schisophrenia, depression, affective disorders, peripheral arterial disease and a number of autoimmune diseases such as type-1 diabetes.
Deficiency Symptoms in Adults and Infants
Signs of vitamin D deficiency includes muscle aches, myopathy or muscle weakness and bone pain. These symptoms can occur at any age. Pregnant mothers who have vitamin D deficiency can also cause fetal deficiency.
In younger infants, rickets can produce a condition called craniotabes or softening of the skull. In older babies, rickets can impede or delay sitting and crawling and the closure of the fontanels; bossing of the infants' skull and presence of costochondral thickening or what is referred to as 'rachitic rosary.' Children with rickets aged 1-4 years old experience epiphyseal cartilage enlargements on the long bones and delayed walking. Older children and adolescents can experience pain upon walking and in worst cases it can result in 'bowlegs' or 'knock-knees.'
Tetany that is caused by hypocalcemia may go along with vitamin D deficiency in infants and adults. This condition can lead to symptoms such as loss of feeling in the lip or tongue areas and the fingers, facial spasms, and at worst, seizures.
Recommended Daily Dose of Vitamin D
Doses or intake of vitamin D is determined according to age groups. These amounts are vital to maintain normal growth and bone health and also normal calcium metabolism in the body. The adequate intakes or AIs for vitamin D indicated are based on the supposition that the vitamin D is not synthesized by sunlight exposure.
From birth to age 13, the recommended AI for children is 5 mcg or 200 IU; for both males and females aged 14-50 years old, 5 mcg or 200 IU is needed; for both males and females aged 51-70 years of age, 10 mcg or 400 IU is required; both males and females reaching the age of 71 and up require 15 mcg or 600 IU of vitamin D. Pregnant and lactating mothers need 5 mcg or 200 IU of the vitamin.
Vitamin D Food Sources
Only a few food sources contain vitamin D. Best sources of vitamin D are fish meat and fish liver oils. There are also small amounts of vitamin D, in the form of vitamin D3, found in dairy products like cheese and egg as well as beef and liver. Some types of mushrooms also contain varying amounts of vitamin D2.
Common sources of vitamin D include the following:
* Cod liver oil
* Fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines
* Milk including non-fat, reduced fat, whole or vitamin D fortified
* Margarine
* Cereals
* Egg
* Beef liver
* Swiss cheese
* Fortified orange juice
* Fortified rice or soy beverage
The Need for Increased Amounts
Since obtaining sufficient amounts of vitamin D in the diet can be quite difficult, many people now consume vitamin D fortified foods in order to maintain a healthy dose of the vitamin. There are some groups however who need increased amounts of vitamin D:
* Breastfed infants because vitamin D cannot be supplied by breast milk alone
* Older people due to the fact that synthesis of vitamin D decreases with age and the ability of the kidney to convert vitamin D diminishes
* People with limited sun exposure especially those living in northern latitudes, those wearing robes or head covers or those with occupations that prevent them from having sun exposure
* People with dark skin as more skin pigments like melanin reduces the ability of the skin to produce vitamin D.
* People with fat malabsorption conditions such as Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, liver and celiac disease or patients who have undergone surgical removal of any part of the stomach or intestine.
* People who are obese. An increased amount of subcutaneous fat can snatch more of the vitamin D and somehow alter its release in the circulation.
Interaction of Vitamin D with Prescribed Drugs
Vitamin D supplements have the tendency to react with certain types of prescription medications. These include the following:
* Steroids or corticosteroid medications like prednisone which can cause decreased calcium absorption and also damage the vitamin D metabolism process.
* Weight-loss medications such as orlistat and cholesterol-lowering drugs like cholestyramine also decrease the absorption of vitamin D and other fat-soluble vitamins
* Phenobarbital and phenytoin increases vitamin D metabolism and decreases calcium absorption.
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article172764.html
Colon Cancer And Good Nutritional Needs
Colon Cancer and Good Nutritional Needs
by Jim Duffy
Colon cancer is often called the silent killer because it grows for years in the lower intestine before it is large enough to create symptoms. Colorectal cancer is also one of the most preventable of the hundreds of types of cancer but is said to affect around 96,000 people in the United States ever year. (Source: Feinstein, ed. 1996) While prevention is the key, once the cancer is detected, early treatment can be effective and typically involves surgery to remove the cancer itself as well as chemotherapy, radiation, or a treatment. A healthy diet will also be key to recovery and to remaining cancer free as well. In fact, a healthy diet is crucial to prevention of colon cancer in the first place.
The symptoms that you feel with colon cancer may depend on where the tumor is growing and how large it has become and can include fatigue and weakness (right side of the colon), alternating constipation and diarrhea, a nagging abdominal pain, and blood streaked or black appearing stools.
There are several tests that are recommended for all people, starting at age 40 and those in the high risk categories should be tested more frequently or may need to start getting tested sooner. The earlier this cancer is found the easier its treatment may be.
A digital rectal exam should be done as part of the annual physical every year starting at 40. The fecal occult blood test should be done every year after age 50. A flexible sigmoidoscopy which not only looks for but can remove precancerous polyps should be done every three to five years, depending on risk factors, after age 50. A barium enema may also be recommended with suspicious or inconclusive results suggesting the need for a colonoscopy, however experts are now suggesting that the barium enema step be skipped and the colonoscopy performed at regular intervals instead. (Source: The American Cancer Society)
The high risk category for colon cancer includes: those who have had precancerous or cancerous polyps in the past, family history of colon cancer before age 60 or those who themselves have had ovarian or endometrial cancer before age 50. Heredity plays a role in about 20% of all colon cancers in the United States, however there are other risk factors as well. These include: inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A diet that is high in fat but low in fiber is also a major risk factor for the disease. (Source: Ammer 2005)
The Best Colon Cancer Prevention Diet
A high fiber, low fat diet is the best way to prevent colon cancer and should include a variety of fruits and vegetables so that you get a rainbow of vitamins and minerals for all the antioxidant power. Fiber is thought to help harmful compounds get pushed through the digestive system before they have a chance to cause any kind of harm and before they get a chance to settle into the walls of the intestine and start building any of the growths that can turn to cancer. The aim of the high fiber diet is to produce one significant bowel movement or more, every day. Good sources of fiber include beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. You can opt for a fiber supplement if you are afraid that you are not getting enough.
In addition to plenty of fiber, your healthy diet should include enough water and sources of water to prevent constipation. When fiber is eaten it swells and becomes bulky as it heads down the digestive tract. It sweeps the intestinal walls as it goes, picking up the waste products and harmful substances that have been left behind from previous meals.
Without enough water, the stools can become hard and will not flow through the system correctly leading to constipation and possibly to an impaction. A fecal impaction can lead to a serious medical emergency which may, if warranted, require surgery. Just as you can tell that you are getting enough fiber if you have to move your bowels at least once per day, you can tell if you are getting enough water if you have to urinate every two to three hours. The urine should be very light in color with no discernible odor. Dark, concentrated urine and a strong odor can indicate a bladder infection even without other symptoms.
Red meat should be avoided with protein coming from lean, healthier choices including plant proteins. Red meats are high in dangerous saturated fats and calories. You can eat a small portion of red meat if you cannot give it up completely, however it should be limited to once or twice a week at most. The same suggestion goes for alcohol, which should also be limited to only a drink or two, a week.
A healthy diet should also include enough of the minerals calcium and magnesium which may need to be supplemented in some cases, to make sure that there is enough in the system. Be wary of alternative cures or treatments that suggest that you can take excessively high doses of certain vitamins and be cancer free without surgery or other treatments, not only have they been shown not to work, they may be even more dangerous in the long run.
Your healthy diet should start with the basics of all good nutrition: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Proteins -- Protein is a part of every single cell in the body and is needed for the role it plays in every function. While it is necessary to build and repair lean muscle mass, protein is also important for sleep, digestion, and the act of ovulation. We can get our protein from foods and from protein supplements, and we should get the right amount determined by our age, our gender, our health, and our activity level. A good guideline is about .6 grams per kilogram of body weight and the American Heart Association recommends that we get no more than 35% of our daily calories from protein of any source.
Protein comes from two sources, plants and animals. Animal proteins are all complete because they supply the eight essential amino acids that humans cannot produce in their own body. These eight (leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, methione, tryptophan, phenylalanine, and lysine) are broken down during digestion and used to make other amino acids, hormones and enzymes to be used throughout the body. Animal proteins include both meat and non-meat sources and should be as lean as possible. The egg is considered to be the perfect protein and all others are evaluated against it. All of the protein in the egg is digested and used by the body giving it a 100% on the bioavailability score. Low fat milk, cheese, and other dairy products are good sources of protein, calcium, and other nutrients. Low fat milk, especially chocolate milk has been called one of the perfect after-exercise drinks because it can help in muscle recovery.
Plant proteins are not complete, with the exception of soy because they lack one or more of the essential amino acids. It is a myth that vegetarians or vegans are protein deficient, as long as they are getting a variety of plant materials, especially soy, they will get more than enough protein. Soy protein also has the benefit of being heart healthy and can help to lower the blood cholesterol as part of a healthy diet.
Protein supplements can be added and are especially beneficial to those who have gone through surgery for colon cancer. The body needs extra protein when it is ill or recovering as well as for those who are going through chemotherapy and/or radiation. The supplement that you choose should have plenty of protein, other nutrients and be appealing so that you will actually drink it. Profect, from Protica is small, so it only takes a few seconds to drink it, however it supplies a full 25 grams of protein per serving and comes in a number of appealing, fruit based flavors.
More Information:
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein shots for weight loss surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article301460.html
by Jim Duffy
Colon cancer is often called the silent killer because it grows for years in the lower intestine before it is large enough to create symptoms. Colorectal cancer is also one of the most preventable of the hundreds of types of cancer but is said to affect around 96,000 people in the United States ever year. (Source: Feinstein, ed. 1996) While prevention is the key, once the cancer is detected, early treatment can be effective and typically involves surgery to remove the cancer itself as well as chemotherapy, radiation, or a treatment. A healthy diet will also be key to recovery and to remaining cancer free as well. In fact, a healthy diet is crucial to prevention of colon cancer in the first place.
The symptoms that you feel with colon cancer may depend on where the tumor is growing and how large it has become and can include fatigue and weakness (right side of the colon), alternating constipation and diarrhea, a nagging abdominal pain, and blood streaked or black appearing stools.
There are several tests that are recommended for all people, starting at age 40 and those in the high risk categories should be tested more frequently or may need to start getting tested sooner. The earlier this cancer is found the easier its treatment may be.
A digital rectal exam should be done as part of the annual physical every year starting at 40. The fecal occult blood test should be done every year after age 50. A flexible sigmoidoscopy which not only looks for but can remove precancerous polyps should be done every three to five years, depending on risk factors, after age 50. A barium enema may also be recommended with suspicious or inconclusive results suggesting the need for a colonoscopy, however experts are now suggesting that the barium enema step be skipped and the colonoscopy performed at regular intervals instead. (Source: The American Cancer Society)
The high risk category for colon cancer includes: those who have had precancerous or cancerous polyps in the past, family history of colon cancer before age 60 or those who themselves have had ovarian or endometrial cancer before age 50. Heredity plays a role in about 20% of all colon cancers in the United States, however there are other risk factors as well. These include: inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. A diet that is high in fat but low in fiber is also a major risk factor for the disease. (Source: Ammer 2005)
The Best Colon Cancer Prevention Diet
A high fiber, low fat diet is the best way to prevent colon cancer and should include a variety of fruits and vegetables so that you get a rainbow of vitamins and minerals for all the antioxidant power. Fiber is thought to help harmful compounds get pushed through the digestive system before they have a chance to cause any kind of harm and before they get a chance to settle into the walls of the intestine and start building any of the growths that can turn to cancer. The aim of the high fiber diet is to produce one significant bowel movement or more, every day. Good sources of fiber include beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. You can opt for a fiber supplement if you are afraid that you are not getting enough.
In addition to plenty of fiber, your healthy diet should include enough water and sources of water to prevent constipation. When fiber is eaten it swells and becomes bulky as it heads down the digestive tract. It sweeps the intestinal walls as it goes, picking up the waste products and harmful substances that have been left behind from previous meals.
Without enough water, the stools can become hard and will not flow through the system correctly leading to constipation and possibly to an impaction. A fecal impaction can lead to a serious medical emergency which may, if warranted, require surgery. Just as you can tell that you are getting enough fiber if you have to move your bowels at least once per day, you can tell if you are getting enough water if you have to urinate every two to three hours. The urine should be very light in color with no discernible odor. Dark, concentrated urine and a strong odor can indicate a bladder infection even without other symptoms.
Red meat should be avoided with protein coming from lean, healthier choices including plant proteins. Red meats are high in dangerous saturated fats and calories. You can eat a small portion of red meat if you cannot give it up completely, however it should be limited to once or twice a week at most. The same suggestion goes for alcohol, which should also be limited to only a drink or two, a week.
A healthy diet should also include enough of the minerals calcium and magnesium which may need to be supplemented in some cases, to make sure that there is enough in the system. Be wary of alternative cures or treatments that suggest that you can take excessively high doses of certain vitamins and be cancer free without surgery or other treatments, not only have they been shown not to work, they may be even more dangerous in the long run.
Your healthy diet should start with the basics of all good nutrition: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Proteins -- Protein is a part of every single cell in the body and is needed for the role it plays in every function. While it is necessary to build and repair lean muscle mass, protein is also important for sleep, digestion, and the act of ovulation. We can get our protein from foods and from protein supplements, and we should get the right amount determined by our age, our gender, our health, and our activity level. A good guideline is about .6 grams per kilogram of body weight and the American Heart Association recommends that we get no more than 35% of our daily calories from protein of any source.
Protein comes from two sources, plants and animals. Animal proteins are all complete because they supply the eight essential amino acids that humans cannot produce in their own body. These eight (leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, methione, tryptophan, phenylalanine, and lysine) are broken down during digestion and used to make other amino acids, hormones and enzymes to be used throughout the body. Animal proteins include both meat and non-meat sources and should be as lean as possible. The egg is considered to be the perfect protein and all others are evaluated against it. All of the protein in the egg is digested and used by the body giving it a 100% on the bioavailability score. Low fat milk, cheese, and other dairy products are good sources of protein, calcium, and other nutrients. Low fat milk, especially chocolate milk has been called one of the perfect after-exercise drinks because it can help in muscle recovery.
Plant proteins are not complete, with the exception of soy because they lack one or more of the essential amino acids. It is a myth that vegetarians or vegans are protein deficient, as long as they are getting a variety of plant materials, especially soy, they will get more than enough protein. Soy protein also has the benefit of being heart healthy and can help to lower the blood cholesterol as part of a healthy diet.
Protein supplements can be added and are especially beneficial to those who have gone through surgery for colon cancer. The body needs extra protein when it is ill or recovering as well as for those who are going through chemotherapy and/or radiation. The supplement that you choose should have plenty of protein, other nutrients and be appealing so that you will actually drink it. Profect, from Protica is small, so it only takes a few seconds to drink it, however it supplies a full 25 grams of protein per serving and comes in a number of appealing, fruit based flavors.
More Information:
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein shots for weight loss surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article301460.html
Cycle Your Way To Weight Loss
Cycle Your Way To Weight Loss
by Scott Haywood
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article11139.html
by Scott Haywood
Of all the possible exercises there are to help you lose weight, cycling is one of the best.
If you want to lose weight and are looking for the perfect exercise, or if you're looking for a great calorie burning exercise to add to your exercise repertoire, this article is for you.
We'll tell you why cycling is so great and what it can do for you, what you'll need to get started and provide helpful hints that will help you to cycle effectively and safely for the rest of your life.
The benefits of cycling
Cycling has many health benefits, particularly for those that want to lose weight. Here are just some of the great aspects of cycling:
• Cycling is one of the easiest aerobics exercises to start with because it offers a very wide range of training intensities, including very low levels of intensity.
• Cycling is a non-weight bearing exercise so it is easy on the joints, muscles and tendons.
• Cycling burns a lot of calories (more than 500 per hour at a moderate pace for someone weighing 80kgs).
• Cycling can be a relatively inexpensive activity to participate in.
• Cycling can be a very social activity and is easily performed in a group or with family and friend.
• Cycling can be done indoors or outdoors.
• Cycling provides aerobic training (for the heart and lungs), resistance training (for leg muscles) and isometric (static) resistance (for the arms and other muscles in the upper body).
• Cycling can be done relatively safely at almost any age.
• Cycling is a perfect cross-training exercise for running, swimming, skiing, etc., and can add variety to any exercise program.
• Cycling is becoming safer as state governments and local city councils invest in dedicated bike tracks and designated bike lanes on city and country roads.
Why cycle?
If you want to lose weight, there are many reasons for you to consider cycling as part of your daily exercise regime.
Here are just 10 of the great things cycling can do for you:
1. Help you burn excess calories and lose weight.
2. Improve your cardiovascular fitness and gain more energy.
3. Help you avoid lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
4. Help you to increase your exercise intensity in a slow and controlled manner.
5. Help you combine exercise with spending time with your partner, children or friends.
6. Help you meet people (by joining a cycling club for example).
7. Help you add variety to your current exercise routine.
8. Help you combine exercise in the fresh air with exploring new places and enjoying new scenery.
9. Help you tone, strengthen and shape the muscles in your legs, bottom and arms.
10. Provide you with exercise that is easy to build progression (faster and/or longer rides) and intensity variation (varying your riding speed and distances) into.
What you need to get started
One of the greatest things about cycling, is how easy and relatively inexpensive it is to get started (assuming you can ride a bike of course and even if you can't that is not an insurmountable problem).
Of course there are those of us who really get into cycling and spend a small fortune on fancy equipment, but for those who just want to get started and lose weight, here's a list of the absolute essentials you'll need as well as the optional extras you should consider to make your riding more enjoyable.
The Essentials
Here's what you'll need to start outdoor cycling:
• A bike!
• A bike helmet.
• Spare tubes, tyre levers and a bike pump.
• Water bottle and water bottle cage for your bike.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen.
Optional Extras
Although classed as optional extras, if you can afford them we recommend you strongly consider:
• Bike shorts (called knicks) with a good quality chamois sown into the seat.
• Bicycle gloves with padded palms.
• Speedometer (to monitor your distance and speed).
• Heart Rate Monitor (to help you regulate your intensity).
• Mobile phone (to call help if you ever get into trouble).
Helpful hints for effective, safe cycling
Here are some helpful hints to help you get the most out of cycling:
Bike
• An inexpensive bike with few features is OK to get started but we recommend as a minimum you get a bike with quick-release wheel hubs so you can get the wheels off easily without a spanner when you get that inevitable puncture during a ride.
• Getting the right sized bike for you is very important so visit your local bike shop first and ask them what the right sized bike for you is.
• There are many types of bikes available from road racing bikes to pure mountain bikes and all sorts in between. Which style of bike is best for you depends upon where you are going to ride the bike, whether you want comfort or speed and how much you have to spend.
• For those of you wanting to ride just to lose weight and will do most of your riding on sealed roads and bike paths, we recommend a hybrid bike with road tires. Hybrid bikes tend to have slightly wider wheels than pure road bikes and have a much more comfortable upright riding position.
• Setting up your seat height is very important. You know your bike seat is at the correct height when your leg has a slight bend in it at the knee when the corresponding pedal is closest to the ground. If you buy your bike from a bike shop, make sure they adjust your seat height for you.
• When it comes to bike costs, be prepared to pay more for bikes that are lighter in weight and have better quality fittings like gears and levers, etc.
Helmet
• Make sure the helmet you wear fits your head properly.
• Of all the possible places to scrimp and save money, we recommend that this isn't one of them – your helmet is by far the most important piece of cycling equipment you'll own.
• Generally speaking, be prepared to pay more money for very light helmets with superior ventilation properties.
• We highly recommend that you avoid buying a second hand helmet and that you buy your helmet from a reputable seller who will make sure that your helmet fits properly.
• Modern bike helmets are specifically designed to absorb a great deal of the impact in an accident and crack or break in the process. If your helmet is subject to a reasonable impact, take it to a reputable dealer for checking and possible replacement.
Spare tubes, tyre levers and bike pump
• Unless you're just riding around your block a few times a week, you're going to need some spare tubes, a pair of tyre levers and a bike pump.
• The most important things about spare tubes are that you carry at least two of them and that they are the right size for your bike.
• Tyre levers are essential in helping to remove and replace your tires from the wheel rims. Only being small, these levers can easily be carried in a bum-bag or in a specially designed carry bag that fits at the back of your bike seat.
• Always carry a functional bike pump that has the right connection for the valves in your tubes. Most bike pumps have racks that allow you to attach the pump to the frame of your bike for convenience.
Water bottle and water bottle cage for your bike
• Always carry plenty of water with you when you cycle.
• Most bikes have room for two water bottle cages on the inside of their frame.
• For very long rides, consider buying a hydration pack that is essentially a backpack especially designed to carry water. These packs typically carry between 1 and 3 litres of water.
• While cycling drink small amount of water often and never go longer than 15 minutes or so without taking a drink. Because it makes you sweat, cycling makes your body use and lose a great deal of fluid which must be replaced to avoid dehydration.
Sunglasses and sunscreen
• When cycling outside always wear sunglasses and sunscreen unless it is very early in the morning or late in the evening.
Bike shorts (called knicks)
• Although easy on the body as a whole, cycling can be hard on your backside initially (but it soon gets a lot better the more you ride - if it doesn't consider buying a softer, wider seat for you bike).
• Modern cycling shorts have a chamois sown into their seat which provides extra padding between you and the bike seat and helps wick moisture away from your skin keeping you dry and helping you avoid chafing.
Bicycle gloves with padded palms
• Believe it or not, one part of the body that can do it tough while cycling is the hands. Padded bike gloves can help reduce the pressure on the hands, particularly on longer rides and for the small amount they cost are well worth it.
Speedometer
• Speedometers are great at monitoring the speed and distance of each ride and some even estimate the number of calories burned during each ride.
• By keeping an exercise diary, you can use this valuable information to gradually increase your cycling distances and speeds as well as track your fitness progress.
• Because speedometers use the diameter of your bike wheels as the basic unit of measure to calculate speed and distance, we recommend you have your speedo fitted by a reputable bike dealer to make sure the information you're getting is accurate.
Heart Rate Monitor
• These really are optional extras, but if you can afford one, we highly recommend you buy and use a heart rate monitor while cycling.
• While a basic speedometer can help you monitor speed and distance, these can be influenced greatly by things such as strong winds and steep hills. Heart rate monitors help overcome the inconsistencies of these outside influences and are the perfect tool to measure your exercise intensity.
Mobile phone
• Again, these are obviously an optional extra but for safety's sake we always carry a mobile phone when cycling – if you or a riding partner are ever involved in an accident or just can't make it home on time as promised, it's very reassuring to know that you can easily get in contact with someone using your mobile phone.
Riding
Here are some tips to make your riding safe and effective:
• Consult your doctor before starting cycling or any new exercise program.
• Start slowly and keep distances short initially and slowly build up your distances and then speeds.
• If riding on a shared path, warn walkers and other riders when approaching from behind using your bike's bell.
• Use hand signals to indicate that you intend to change lanes or turn corners on your bike.
• Obey all traffic signals when riding on public roads.
• Make riding fun by including friends and perhaps stopping for a drink and snack along the way or afterwards.
• Change your riding route for variety.
• Mix your riding distances and intensities for maximum long term weight loss and fitness.
• Seventy percent of your riding should be done at an easy to moderate intensity (60 – 80% of your maximum heart rate).
• Ride the right sized bike and make sure your seat is at the right height.
• Drink regularly when riding.
• Use indoor cycling when raining or to compliment your outdoor riding.
• Stick to dedicated bike paths or designated bike lanes wherever possible.
• Listen to your body; if you need to take a break during your ride take it.
• Plan your route and communicate it and your estimated ride time to your partner or someone else so they know where to look if you are delayed for any reason.
Conclusion
Of all the possible exercises there are to help you lose weight, cycling is one of the best.
If you want to lose weight and are looking for the perfect exercise, or if you're looking for a great calorie burning exercise to add to your exercise repertoire, cycling may be for you.
Now you know why cycling is so great and what it can do for you, what you'll need to get started and keep cycling effectively and safely for the rest of your life there's only one thing to do. Give it a go. Cycling is sure to help you become a happier, healthier you.
Good luck.
For all your weight loss and healthy lifestyle needs, visit www.weightloss.com.au and become a happier, healthier you.
Scott Haywood
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article11139.html
Knowing Organic Products
Knowing Organic Products
by Rubel Zaman
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article199977.html
by Rubel Zaman
Modern agriculture and farming methods involve the use of chemicals to increase productivity of food products. Such methods of food production have been criticized for the negative impact they leave on the environment as well as on the food products themselves. What we have now is a growing eco-friendly trend known as organic farming, and this is what brings us organic food products.
Organic food products are grown without any chemicals that could include pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides. Food products that are grown using regular methods of farming and agriculture are referred to as “conventional products.” Most times you may not be aware of the differences between conventional and organic food products. As a consumer you may see no difference at all. However, it helps to be aware and understand the benefits of including organic products in your diet as well as lifestyle.
Organic food items include dairy products, meat, vegetables, fruits, and others. Organic farming helps the soil to maintain its natural balance and also reduces pollution. Organic farmers don’t make use of chemicals to maintain their crops or prevent diseases. This type of farming makes use of natural fertilizers and advanced crop rotation to handle weeds. Instead of using antibiotics and growth hormones, organic farming resorts to other alternate eco-friendly solutions such as providing clean, hygienic surroundings and balanced diet for animals.
Organic products need not only be related to food. You could lead an organic lifestyle by using organic beauty and skin care products, wearing organic clothing and beautifying your home with numerous organic lifestyle products. It is indeed becoming a popular trend to live an eco-friendly life and support the environment in every small and possible way.
Women all over the world are more than happy to use organic beauty products that are good to their skin and make them look naturally beautifully. Over the years the harmful effects of chemical based make up products have been much highlighted with more and more women turning to eco-friendly options. Make up products that use chemical synthetics are harmful for the skin and some of these are even known to contain lead that could cause serious health problems. If you are looking at beautifying your skin and hair, choosing organic beauty products is the best way to go.
Similar to organic food and organic beauty products, organic clothing too is gaining increasing popularity with eco-conscious people around the world. Moreover, such clothing is ideal for a hot summer day. Imagine yourself strolling out into the sun with a natural, organic cotton shirt. Organic products are rightly produced to make your life more comfortable and prevent pollution and environmental decay.
Organic products need to follow stringent government rules and regulation before they can be made available to consumers. These products need to meet a specific standard as stated by the government to maintain optimal quality. As a smart consumer, you can read the label that comes with every organic product. Depending on the quantity of organic ingredients used, these products would be classified as either being 100, 95 or 70 percent organic.
Bamboo Baby sell organic baby clothing for both retail and wholesale. Visit now for a wide selection of bamboo clothing.
Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article199977.html
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)