Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure

It seems like everywhere you look, there’s a new pill or medicine that will ‘instantly cure’ your sickness, disease or health issue.   

And while taking a pill to cure what ails you might be convenient and simple, maybe it’s really time to sit down and take a good, long look at what you’re feeding your body, or as it might be, not feeding your body.   

Are you truly giving your body the nutrients it needs to take care of itself? 

 Most of us find when we take a look at what we’ve been eating that the choices we’ve been making in the name of convenience, simplicity, or saving time have actually been detrimental to our overall health – body, mind and spirit.  
 
Our modern day diet largely consists of excessive consumption of starch, sugar, fried and fatty foods. 

As a result, diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s and some cancers are becoming more and more common.

Healthy foods and good nutrition can not only help keep you fit, but treat disease as well. 

You may not even have to go to a health food store. 

You can purchase them right at your grocery store, or make a trip to your local farmer’s market. 

And if you focus on basing a healthy, well-balanced diet on the 14 “Superfoods,” the detrimental effects of these diseases can be slowed, stopped or even reversed. 

And when you nourish your body physically with these nutrient-dense foods, your mental capacities increase, and your spiritual wellness is enhanced as well. 

 In addition, since your spiritual health is optimal, it will shine through to the outside, and people will notice you’re happy, calm, and that your stress levels have decreased dramatically. 

So look for ways to cut the junk out of your daily eating and replace it with members of the Superfoods group.  Your body, mind and spirit will all be healthier as a direct result.

Some Nutritional Hope For Schizophrenic Patients Explained

Schizophrenia is a difficult malady, both to diagnose and to treat. It’s defined as any of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances. 

Recent research suggests that those who suffer from schizophrenia could benefit from incorporating more B3 (niacin), essential fatty acids (EFAs) and eating more whole grain carbohydrates to help level out blood sugar levels so that bouts with hypoglycemia are lessened. 

Food sources high in niacin include light-meat chicken, tuna, salmon, turkey, enriched flour, peanuts, and fortified cereals. 

Niacin is an important player in the digestion process, and it aids in converting food into energy. 

Therefore, it also plays a role in the essential fatty acid metabolism of the brain, processes of which are disrupted in schizophrenia. 

Because these processes are disrupted in the brain, it’s imperative that essential fatty acids are a base in the diet of a schizophrenic patient.  

 Since they can’t be synthesized by the body, they must be obtained from food. Look to fish, shellfish, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, dark green leafy vegetables and walnuts for EFAs.

 Essential fatty acids play a part in many metabolic processes, and there is evidence to suggest that low levels of essential fatty acids, or the wrong balance of types among the essential fatty acids, may be a factor in a number of illnesses, including schizophrenia.

Some schizophrenic patients also suffer from bouts of hypoglycemia, which can be greatly helped by choosing healthy, whole grain carbohydrates such as whole grain breads and pastas, as they help the body maintain a steady blood glucose level.   

Other research shows that some schizophrenic patients suffer from food allergies that greatly affect their thinking and behavior.   

For this reason, keeping a detailed food journal and paying close attention to moods and thinking patterns after eating is imperative.

Research has also shown that some schizophrenic patients suffer from high levels of copper, an essential metallic element that can adversely affect the brain in high doses.   

Vitamin B6, found in bananas, turkey and spinach, as well as zinc, found in red meats, peanuts, chickpeas and almonds, can help remove excess copper from the body. 

Foods For Getting Over Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is an all-encompassing term involving the consumption of contaminated food, stomach flu, stress, drug interactions, nutrient deficiencies or their excess.   

It can come on rather suddenly after eating; diarrhea or vomiting can begin 30 minutes to one hour after eating foods that are chemically poisonous; within one to 12 hours with bacterial poisoning, and 12 to 48 hours with viral or salmonella poisoning. 

Food poisoning can be serious and a medical professional should be contacted especially if it is accompanied by a difficulty in swallowing, speaking or breathing; if there is a fever of 100 degrees F; if the person can't even hold down liquids; if there is severe diarrhea of more than two days.

The best remedy is to curtail eating until all the symptoms have subsided and the toxins have had the chance to exit your system. 

 Drink plenty of fluids - vitamin C and blackberry and peppermint teas can be taken then to strengthen the stomach, along with yogurt that contains acidophilus to recolonize the lost flora in the bowel. 

 Diluted sweetened drinks can also be consumed to replace the body’s lost fluid and electrolytes, and the BRAT diet (bananas, apples, rice and toast) can also be helpful in getting the toxins cleared from the body.

As a precaution against food poisoning, great care should be taken when preparing foods.   Avoid over-handling foods, and when in doubt, throw it out – don’t take a risk with leftovers if you’re just not sure how long they’ve been in your refrigerator.

Mint, lemon, raspberry, chamomile or teas might also be helpful in easing the stomach pain associated with food poisoning or stomach cramping.  Ginger tea is also good for settling an unsettled stomach, and promotes good digestion. 

 Try to get plenty of rest as food poisoning can be an exhausting and nutrient-depleting chore for your body. 

  Once you’re feeling better, be sure to eat a well-balanced healthy diet that includes foods rich in iron, zinc, vitamin C to help your body get back to its old self again.

Foods That Fight Cancer

As the nation’s second most deadly disease, cancer brings with it several risk factors. 

Therefore, it’s logical that we take a good look at the foods we’re eating, and start introducing nutrient-rich foods that are known to help reduce the cancer risk.   

A diet rich in fiber, vegetables, and fruits, including juices made from 100 percent fruit juice, can make a big difference in your cancer risk. 
 

Foods rich in phytochemicals which are found in beans and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and kale are strong choices. 

So are dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, romaine lettuce, and collard greens, which are packed with fiber, lutein, and carotenoids - all cancer-fighting substances. 

Focus on choosing foods that have abundant amounts of vitamins C, E, and A, all antioxidants themselves.

 These help protect you from cancer by preventing the growth of free radicals in your body.

Tomatoes are an awesome cancer-fighting superfood. 

Not only do tomatoes contain lycopene, the antioxidant phytochemical that also helps prevent heart disease, but they're a good source of vitamins A, C, and E, all which do battle against cancer-causing free radicals. 

  Add them to your salad or use as a topping on your homemade pizza. They’re also a great way of adding some zest to your favorite sandwich. 

Watermelon is also stuffed full of antioxidants, and includes about 80 percent of your daily vitamin C requirement. It is also a great source of vitamin A, or beta carotene. And like tomatoes, it also contains lycopene. 

Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, which help reduce the risk of colon and rectal cancer. 

Plus cabbage is rich in fiber and has almost 50 percent of daily requirement of vitamin C, making it a well-rounded superfood with cancer-fighting power. 

Carrots are also a wonderful source of fiber and beta carotene, and they have about three times the daily requirement of vitamin A.

Did you know that one-quarter cup of kidney beans has the same amount of fiber and protein as two ounces of red meat? 

Whole wheat pasta is also a good source of fiber, and broccoli will tip the daily scales for your daily vitamin A and C needs. 

Toss them all together with your favorite low-fat Italian dressing for a simple dinner of cancer-fighting proportions.

Strawberries and blueberries are rich in vitamin C and fiber. 

They’re quick and simple finger food, and easily be added to your favorite whole grain cereal oatmeal, or low-fat yogurt.

Some Cholesterol Reducing Vitamins And Drugs

Having an abnormally high cholesterol level can put one at risk of developing heart disease.

It won't be an instant thing; heart disease can gradually develop as a person ages and as one continues to maintain a very high cholesterol level.

If you plan to live well over your years, then lowering your cholesterol levels at the earliest time possible will be able to help you achieve your goal.

There are certain medications available in the market today that aim to lower cholesterol levels.

They are grouped in different classes most notable of which are HMG-CoA Inhibitors or otherwise known as "statins".

The drugs belonging in this group try to block the enzyme HMG-CoA, which functions as one of the steps required to convert fat into cholesterol.

Statins are known to be the most effective cholesterol lowering agent to date and have become a great help to people requiring drastic reduction of their cholesterol levels.

There are also cholesterol lowering drugs called bile acid sequestrants that work by binding itself with the bile produced by the human liver.

Bile is the substance that aids in the digestion system and in the absorption of fats in the intestine.

Bile acid sequestrants prevent the formation of cholesterol by preventing bile acid from digesting fats.

There are also vitamins that help lower cholesterol levels. Most prominent among them is Vitamin B3 or niacin.

Niacin is one of the eight water-soluble B vitamins that help the body convert carbohydrates into glucose which is used in the body for energy.

The B vitamins are also important in the breakdown of body fat and protein as well as in the aid in making the nervous system, skin, eyes, hair, mouth, and liver healthy.


Niacin also helps the body in getting rid of toxic and harmful chemicals.

Niacin has also been found to increase the effects of other cholesterol reducing drugs.

But such an effect would only be possible if niacin is taken in large doses.

But people are also warned to be careful of trying to lower their cholesterol levels by taking in large doses of Niacin.

Large amounts of this B vitamin can cause flushing of the skin due to dilating blood vessels as well as other side effects such as itching, headaches, nausea and muscle cramps.

Other vitamins and substances also credited in helping the body lower its cholesterol levels is Lecithin and vitamins C and E.

Lecithin works by allowing fats and cholesterol to be dispersed from the body and help prevent fatty buildup in the arteries.

Vitamins C and E have also shown to help in trying to help prevent heart disease by protecting LDL cholesterol from damage.

Although LDL cholesterol is also known as the "bad" cholesterol, most cardiologists believe that only damaged LDL contributes to the increasing risk of heart disease.

How To Lower Cholesterol Levels The Natural Way

Studies have shown that the number of people who are obese or overweight has gone up through the years.

 This is attributed to the type of food being served in schools and fast food joints as well the lack of physical activity as the person grows older.

The problem goes farther because this means that many more Americans will suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes in the future.

The good news is that this can be prevented before it is too late.

The natural way to lower the cholesterol will be by making some lifestyle changes and exercising regularly.

 This will help the individual lose weight, which is directly related to the cholesterol levels in the human body.

When people think of dieting, many think this means saying goodbye to some of life’s more juicer foods but it is not.

The person will just have to limit the consumption and add new things that are healthier.

More often, this will require eating foods that are high in fiber and low in saturated fats.

A few examples of these are artichokes, corn, fish, garlic, legumes, mushrooms, nut, olive oil, soy milk and whole grains.

The individual should not forget to have some fruits and vegetables as well since these are rich in sterols that are known to keep the cholesterol levels down.

All of these products are affordable and can easily be purchased in the supermarket.

Aside from eating properly, the person must also take the necessary precautions when consuming liquids.

This means drinking a glass of red wine moderately, reducing the consumption of beer, drinking fresh juices, non-fat milk and water.

Apple juice for example has been known to reduce cholesterol levels by up to 50% when taken regularly.

Other fruits can also do the same so cutting this and putting it into a blender can do the trick or getting this in bottled form.   

The next step to lowering the cholestesterol levels naturally is through exercise.

This can be achieved in many ways such as brisk walking, jogging or running around the neighborhood.

Learning a new sport and doing it regularly is another option.  

Those who want to be looked after by a personal trainer can check out the gym since there are professionals that can create a program to achieve the person’s desired results.

This will be a combination of cardio-vascular exercises as well as weight lifting to burn the calories and lower the cholesterol levels.

There is another way to reduce the cholesterol levels but is only used as a last resort if these two do not work. The individual will be required to use medicine to make it happen.

There are a lot of products out there and studies have shown this can drop the cholesterol levels by as much as 15% to 30%.

The person should be aware though that these drugs have certain side effects so it is best to consult a doctor first to make sure it is safe to use. 

Cholesterol is something that is produced in the body and is also taken when food is eaten.

The only way to make sure the levels in the blood doesn’t exceed the limit is to have a checkup regularly and watch the food that is being cooked or served in the restaurant.

5 Procedures To Lower Cholesterol

Experts say that people who are over 20 years of age should pay more attention to their cholesterol level and advise them to do everything they can to lower their levels of “bad” cholesterol.

Despite the so many claims that you can lower your cholesterol level through low cholesterol diet plans, lifestyle changes, and monitored medication, more and more people who suffer from this condition still fail to lower their cholesterol level.

Although it is sometimes hard to stick with the needed requirements to be able to lower your cholesterol levels, it is still possible to get the result that you want by following these easy ways to lower to cholesterol:

1. Make sure you know where you stand by getting your levels checked regularly.

Visiting your doctor and getting your cholesterol levels checked regularly is very important to achieving optimum health for good.

 Since high cholesterol is related to cardiovascular disease, make sure that you know your numbers so you can rearrange your diet and change lifestyle habits as well.

Knowing your cholesterol level will also help you decide what kind of diet plan you should follow and if you need medication and treatment already.

Knowing your starting point will also help you monitor your progress toward healthy cholesterol levels.

If you know your exact cholesterol status then you can also do something to combat it by learning to quit cigarette smoking and excessive eating of high cholesterol foods.

2. Understanding the basics and learning everything you can about the condition.

If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol levels, the first thing to do is to understand the situation fully and acquire more information about the condition.

By conducting your own personal research on the condition will also make you knowledgeable about initial lifestyle changes you can do to lessen the problem and you will also have an idea what other treatments options available.

Knowing everything about cholesterol, its types, kinds, and health risks will also make you understand that the case is not really hopeless if you are in the right track.

Finding and getting more information about the condition will also make you realize that there are so many things that you can do.

You can get more information from a registered dietician, local centers for nutrition, local hospital or public health department, and from a consultation with your attending physician or health care provider.

3. Watch your weight and get rid of extra pounds if needed.

Monitoring your weight is one of the best ways to combat high levels of cholesterol.

If you think you are overweight for your age and height, then you should be contemplating on slimming down to be able to decrease your high cholesterol level.

Since being overweight disrupts a person’s normal metabolism of dietary fat, experts say that people who weight more than they should shout start planning on a healthy lifestyle and diet to lose weight safely.

But, before having a drastic change in your diet and lifestyle, make sure that you visit your doctor first to access your overall health.

Doing this may prevent further damage especially if you have to undergo certain medications.

4. Get physical, do regular physical activities and exercises more often.

The wonders of exercise are indeed very essential in lowering high cholesterol levels.

Doing regular physical activities can also help raise the good cholesterol levels and lose weight as well.

 There’s really no need for high-intensity workouts, regular brisk walking or jogging can help the body boost HDL cholesterol and also beneficial for the heart.

5. Make a commitment and stick to that commitment.

The best way to lower cholesterol levels  is to be able to develop the discipline to stick to your goal.

You can also lower your cholesterol level by acquainting yourself what are the good and the bad fat and its sources, by discovering the wonders of fiber in cutting down cholesterol, by taking in good multivitamins, by freeing yourself from lots of stress, and by exploring and considering treatment options when all else fails.

The Advantages Of Drinking Freshly Juiced Vegetables

Drinking a daily vitamin packed drink of your choice that includes romaine lettuce, celery, stalks kale, apples, lemon, and fresh ginger (or make your own drink)

To eat healthy we need to eat daily one pound of raw vegetables for each 50 pounds of body weight. 

By juicing this amount, it is very easy to get 50% of your body weight’s requirement of raw vegetables. 

 Raw food is important to our body because when it is consumed, it does not raise our white blood cells like cooked food does.  

 It did not change when raw foods or low temperature cooked foods were consumed.

Health juices are not a new thing over history.

Lime juice cured scurvy in the16^th century, saving thousands of sailor’s lives. 

But our generation has only recently discovered the nutritional and biochemical properties of fruit and vegetable fresh juices.  

 Juicing is the cheapest and most economical method to maintain the health of the individual in our time today.

 It was discovered that the best time to take a juice drink is in the morning and during the evening.

Freshly squeezed juices from vegetables and fruit contain more vitamins and minerals, along with enzymes, than any canned or fresh juice. 

When making your juice, always include a dark leafy vegetable such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage, or beet tops. 

It was discovered that the best time to take a juice drink is in the morning and during the evening. 

Within ten minutes after consuming the drink they are absorbed into the bloodstream. 

This is an advantage to drinking freshly juiced vegetables as compared to eating fresh vegetables and fruit. 

Eating solid foods take several hours to digest, while a fresh fruit or vegetable drink is absorbed quickly into the system.

The fiber is lost due to the juicing process but a higher amount of nutrients goes into the body and its system.

Why You Should Only Take Sips Of Water During Mealtime

Large glasses of water impedes the digestive process by diluting the gatric juices.

Taking several sips of water at a mealtime as compared to drinking a couple of large glasses per meal seems to be a personal preference unless there is a medical reason or a weight loss is desired.

Several sources say that at the present time there is no proof at all that water aids in the digestion process.  There is enough water in the fruits and vegetables to supply this. 

But what I noticed is that an excessive amount of water consumed at a meal dilutes stomach acid concentration.

This is very necessary for food breakdown of protein and other nutrients.

 I also noticed that the body couldn’t handle large amounts of water at one time because most water at a meal usually has ice in it.

If water is drunk lukewarm or at room temperature, it will not interfere with the body’s temperature as much as ice water does.

If a person has a medical condition like a hiatus hernia, too much water at a meal will trigger it.

Water drank between meals, not during meals, is the most important time for its consumption regarding health issues.

To remove toxins and waste products from the body, water is needed for the flow of their elimination.

It also is important for the circulation of our body’s fluids and temperature regulation.

In 1910, a study was done on a young man who drank 3 liters of water with his meals for five days in a row.

The findings showed: an increase in body weight of two pounds in the five days; increased amount of excretion of urinary nitrogen; increased output of ammonia, due to an increased output of gastric juice; decreased excretion of feces and of fecal nitrogen; and a decrease in the quantity of bacteria excreted daily.

How Make Your Children Get The Nutrition They Need

Most parents would worry that if they keep their children from eating those fatty foods that they love, and only offer vegetables, that the children will starve, or have nutritional deficiencies. 

These parents feel that the kids will just not eat the food. 

If you think about it this way, how much nutrients are they receiving from the fatty, processed foods now? 

If their diet consists of French fries, mashed potatoes, apple sauce, chocolate pudding, and maybe chicken fingers, how could it be worse if you only offer fruits and vegetables?   

Sure, maybe they will demand to have the foods they like, and not eat. 

They will eventually get hungry and if you keep offering fruits and vegetables and do not give in, you will see that they will begin to enjoy it, especially if they see everyone else in the family eating healthier.

Incorporate bean soups, such as yummy lentil soup and if that doesn’t work make your lentil soup into a “lentil burger”.   

You may have to gradually change their eating styles. 

Try making fresh bean and/or vegetable soups with some cheese sprinkled on it.   

Make sure it is tasty, and not too spicy. 

Make homemade pancakes with wheat and only sweeten it with pure raw honey.   

Make fruit shakes and throw in a carrot or romaine lettuce.

Make tasty salads with homemade dressings and also make faces out of the tomatoes and cucumbers and carrots. 

Make tasty salmon and have them try it. 

There are so many possibilities and recipes that you can try. 

Do not give up on your child because they have shown a dislike for a vegetable or fruit.  

 Just eat it around them and watch them ask you for a piece. 

Keep offering it to them at dinnertime and ask them to eat a couple of bites. 

If children eat plenty of fruits and green leafy vegetables, they are also getting their calcium requirements. 

But you could also include some almond milk or rice milk if you want.

The focus is to keep introducing them to new foods so that they develop a taste for natural foods that we as humans were meant to eat.

The Importance Of Rest And Sleep

All the parts of the human body work together, although each  one has its especial part to do.

The stomach must have a  time to rest between meals.

The other parts of the body require rest, too. This they usually get while we are asleep.

We must not be neglectful and fail to give them enough rest, or they will soon get worn out and give us trouble. 

Sometimes, when people are not well or are all tired out, they find they cannot sleep well at night. There are a number of little things that can be done to induce sleep.

A warm bath before retiring, followed by a gentle massage, especially along the spine, often will, by relaxing the nerves and muscles, produce very good results.

A hot foot bath, which draws the blood away from the brain, frequently will be found beneficial.

A glass of hot milk or cocoa, taken just before retiring, often will have the same effect.

If the sleeplessness is a result of indigestion, a plain diet will relieve. Sleeping upon a hard bed without any pillow sometimes produces the desired effect.

Always have plenty of fresh air in the room. Keep the mind free from the cares of the day. If they will intrude, crowd them out by repeating something else some soothing sentence or bit of poetry.

One good plan is to close the left nostril by pressing on it with the finger, then take four deep breaths through the right nostril.

Then close the right nostril and take four deep breaths through the left one. Repeat this about four times.

Then breathe slowly through both nostrils, but count your breaths. You seldom will count very many.

Never take any sleeping powders or tablets except upon the advice of a physician, for they usually contain drugs that will injure the heart.

You will find that you will meet a number of men who are nervous, which means they have not control of their nerves, but let them run away with them.

Sometimes this is shown in palpitation of the heart, headache, backache, and many other disorders.

There may be a tendency to cry at trivial things, or a feeling of having "the blues." The cause usually can be found in uncongenial surroundings or occupation, loss of friends, or real or fancied troubles.

Whatever the cause, it should be removed, if possible, and measures taken to restore the worn out nerves that are crying for rest or food.

Tonics help, so does nourishing food, such as eggs and milk; also a change of scene and occupation, if possible.

A man who is nervous frequently does not realize what is the cause of his condition, and considers only the symptoms. So when he has a headache, resorts to medicine.

In taking these she only is deadening the pain and not removing  the cause, so the pain is liable to return.

How To Make A Herb Garden

Herbs have been around since time immemorial and served different kinds of purposes.

They have been used to treat illness and flavour cooking; they were even believed to have magical powers.

Do you want to have your own herb garden?  Here are a few ideas on how to establish an herb garden.

Plan your garden.

Consider the herbs you want to plant.  Think about their types.  Would you like annuals, biennials or perennials? 

How much space will they occupy in your garden?  If you want, you can purchase a book that can give you the right information on what specific plants you are planning to grow. 

List or draw your garden on paper first.  Separate the annuals from the perennials so when the time comes that you have to pull out the annuals, you won't be disturbing the perennials. 

Perennials can be planted on the edge of your garden so when it is time to till your garden they won't be in danger of getting dug up. 

Another thing to remember is that you have to plant the tall ones at the back and the shorter ones in front.  Also, provide your plants with enough space to grow. Proper position shall help you in this area.

If you would rather keep herbs out of your garden (and some are quite invasive) you could have herb pots. These are large containers with three or more outlets for the herbs.

Fill the pot up to the first outlet and plant it before continuing on with the filling and planting process. Usually, the herb that requires the most water is planted in the bottom hole, while the variety that requires the least, goes in the highest hole.

Some Design Ideas

You can consider having a square herb bed.  You can have your square bed divided into four by two paths crossing at mid point measuring 3 feet.  You can border it with stone or brick.

 A wooden ladder may also do the trick.  You can lay it down on your garden and plant your herbs between its rungs.  You can also choose to have a wagon wheel bed. 

Planting here is like planting with the wooden ladders.  Plant your herbs in between the wagon wheel's wedges. 

Get Your Plants Growing

Of course, different plants have different needs, but many of them require alkaline soil.  This is the reason why you have to determine the herbs you want to plant in the planning stage.

 This can more or less help you find out how you should care for your plants.  If you germinate your herbs from seeds, remember to follow the directions on the packet for soil, watering and temperature.

Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow. You just have to provide them with an effective drainage, sunlight, enough humidity or moisture and fertile soil. 

Even with just minimally meeting these requirements they will be bound produce a good harvest.