Simple Health Cures

   The number one way to change how you look is through a properly structured diet. This means that it is time to lay off the fast food hamburgers, pizza and whatever else you eat that is packed with “bad” fats and calories. The good thing is that you don’t have to starve yourself or eat bland tasting food to get that body. Below are 7 of the most important ” supper foods” or drinks to build a strong body and brain.

Water: Water is by fat the most important part of any healthy diet. It is very hard to drink too much water and it provides your body with the hydration you need to lose weight and be healthy. If you don’t like the taste of water, make sure to at least drink 8 glasses a day. Add one or two glasses with every ,eal and you won’t have to carry a bottle around all day. But you should learn to love water as this is the most important part of your diet.

Spinach: Spinach is one of the most alkaline foods on the planet. Spinach not only prevents muscle loss, but it provides tons of nutrients to fight off dieases. Spinach is a great food to aid in the prevention of cancer and heart problems.

Apples: Make sure to stick with apples as much as possible, due to the high amount of pesticides that are used on farms. Apples are a great antioxidant for the body and provide tons of vitamins and minerals. The sugar in apples is purely natural so it does not spike insulin levels like artificial sugar. Eating apples also help in weight loss by increasing satiety.

Oatmeal: Whole grain oatmeal should be at the top of everyone’s breakfast list. Not only does oatmeal help reduce LDL cholesterol levels, but it also provides lots of fiber which helps “clean out” your body of harmful toxins.

Salmon: Not all fish is healthy, so beware when shopping. Fresh not fried, Salmon is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids which provides cholesterol lowering fat to your diet along with lots of muscle building protein.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Monounsaturated fat may not sound great, but it does wonders to help fight heart disease. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is full of “good” fat which help raise HDL or ” good” cholesterol levels in the body. Use 1-2 tablespoons on your salads and you will be doing a great service to your heart.

Egg Whites: Egg whites are packed with rpotien and many vitamins. Not only are egg whites a great sources of protein, but without the yolk they provide no cholesterol to the body.

   Obesity in America has become a very dangerous epidemic. It is estimated that over 15 million Americans suffer from obesity. Just being over weight can cause health issues, but being morbidly obese can cause very deadly health issues such as : Heart disease, diabetes, severe breathing problems and high blood pressure just to name a few. If you have been struggling with your weight and have become morbidly obese, you need to get help. There is no reason to battle this disease alone. The first step is admitting you need help and then you have to seek it.

Start with your family physician. If you have been seeing a physician over the years, he most likely has been monitoring your weight increase. Let him know that you have decided to take control of your weight problem and begin a conversation about what your options are.

Surgery is one of the options available to you to battle obesity. There are two type of surgery. Restrictive surgery is where the stomach is made smaller by either a band or by stapling. Combination surgery is where the stomach is made smaller and the new pouch is connected to the small intestine. Gastric Bypass is one of the most common combination surgeries. The surgeries make the stomach smaller which limits the amount of food you can intake. Your diet will drastically change after having surgery so you should thoroughly discuss with your doctor if this option is viable and if so, which surgery is best for you. As with any surgery, there are many risks to consider from infection to death. These risks should be understood completely before deciding on surgery. Be sure to do your research and ask to speak to patients who have had the particular surgery you are considering.

Diet and exercise is one of the oldest methods of dealing with weight issues. There are countless diets on the markets today as well as exercise programs. Your physician can assist you in finding the appropriate diet for you and help monitor your progress. if you are morbidly obese, then the chances are great that you are battling other physical ailments that can be affected by diet or exercise. You should have a complete physical before beginning any diet or exercise programs.

Psychological help is something to strongly consider. Many suffering from obesity also suffer from psychological issue that helped to create the obesity. Therefore, seeking mental help is imperative in treating obesity in these cases. This can be done in conjunction with diet and exercise as well as surgery.

If you are one of the many Americans fighting obesity, as stated above, the first step is to admit you need help and find that help. There are countless professionals available to help you as you begin your battle with morbid obesity. You just have to make the decision that it is time to begin this battle, and then arm yourself with the knowledge and professional help needed to wage your war against obesity.

   Your body requires numerous vitamins and minerals daily in certain levels to function properly, the government has set daily recommendations for these (RDA) which is the average for most people. These needs can be met through your eating habits or by being supplemented.

Protein deficiency can cause a lack of growth, muscle mass loss, weakened immune system, a weak heart and respiratory system, and even death. Not all protein is the same, you have incomplete and complete protein the difference is complete protein has all the necessary amino acids to produce more proteins where incomplete is missing one or more of the necessary amino acids. While picking your protein you need to choose quality sources that are low in fat, especially saturated fats and stay away from processed foods like hot dogs, bacon and ham.

Carbohydrates are important and necessary, learn to stay away from diets but be extra aware of any plan that cuts out an entire food group. Carbs are needed for proper organ functions and they fuel the body for physical activity. As with anything, some carbs are better then others and you want to choose the best source possible. I go for whole grains because they are the least processed, I will mix these with fruits, beans and vegetables because they all promote good health by supplying vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other important nutrients. I will have some source of beans everyday due to the fact that they are a slow digesting carb and also a great source of protein. Stay away from any processed grains or sugars.

Calcium is necessary to build strong bones while growing up, as an adult it helps to prevent osteoporosis and colon cancer, and as we age it helps to stop bone loss. Calcium is one of those example that more of a good thing is not always best and this is why we have recommended daily allowances, too much calcium raises the risk of prostate and ovarian cancer, even gall stones.

Salt and Sodium, Americans consume way more sodium then necessary. That’s why there are so many people with high blood pressure, the majority of todays processed food has sodium as a preservative and this alone puts us over our recommended daily allowance for sodium. Never add salt to your food and cut out eating processed foods as much as possible.

Fats and cholesterol can be a double edged sword, the amount of fat you consume is not as important as the type of fat you eat. There are good and bad fats, the bad fats are saturated and trans fats and should be kept out of your diet at all costs because they raise your risks of certain diseases. The good fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, these provide many health benefits and lower the risks of certain diseases.

The biggest influence on your blood cholesterol level does not come from the amount of cholesterol you consume but from the mixture of bad fats in your diet.

Developing a fitness lifestyle is 70% diet and nutrition so the importance of learning to eat right is a necessity, with all the junk and processed food today we need to eat better even if we are not seeking to better our lives through fitness. Our health depends on what we put into our bodies, even if we think we are eating better we still need to consider the chemicals and steroids that are used to make the chickens and cows grow faster or product eggs and milk faster. These are man made and not normal to our bodies, the best we could do next to growing and raising our own food would be to eat organic.

   Soda, coke, pop. Sugar in the bottle can go by many names, but the effects of it are all the same. Soda started out centuries ago as just carbonated mineral water. It was not unhealthy until sellers begin adding things to the drink to make it taste different. Today sugar is what gives the carbonated beverage a bad reputation. The caffeine and acid in each drink don’t help, but all of it together is horrible for your health.

Soda also contain phosphorus which could lead to a reduction in calcium and magnesium in the body. Try putting a tooth in soda for a few days and watch it dissolve over time. If it can dissolve a tooth think about what it is doing to the rest of your body

It’s been hammered upon us that soda contains sugar and too much sugar is bad for you. Did you know one soda contains more than 10 teaspoon of sugar? Our bodies are really only to have ten or less a day! Too much sugar leads to a rise in insulin levels. The sugar also might not be burned by the body which will end up as stored fat leading to weight gain. Within the first ten minutes of drinking your soda those teaspoons of sugar hit your system.

Caffeine is something many of us feel we need to keep us awake. It is found in many stimulants. Too much caffeine is not good for the system at all. it can lead to anxiety, panic attacks and dehydration. Forty minutes after you drink a soda that caffeine causes your blood pressure to rise. Caffeine is addictive so the more you drink the more your body wants it.

After everything has gone through your system your body will go into crash mode. it will make you tired, irritable and reaching for another soda.

Most people try to get away with just drinking diet soda. It has the same history of soda. right, but it’s diet, right? Wrong. Instead of adding flavorings and sugar and all that jazz, it has aspartame. Aspartame is a chemical that stimulates the brain to think the drink is sweet. Aspartame breaks down into Aspartic acid, Phenylalanine, and methanol when it’s at 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Sodium in diet soda is also a silent killer. Sodium not only adds weight to us, but is hard on our hearts.

Soda is the liquid form of junk food. It taste great to most people, but it is just a fun beverage wit no nutritional value.It is served at most restaurants and at most parties, but if people really knew what was lurking through their system once they took a drink, they might opt for another beverage.

   Low Blood Sugar symptoms can change the way you live. Although some people pass these off as simple ailments, they can be very dangerous at certain times. You could fall into a coma if your glucose levels drop too far. You have to keep that from happening. Knowing the early signs of hypoglycemic is essential for treatment. Immediate treatment includes a sugary beverage or a sugar pill. But long-term treatment includes a proper dieting plan involving complex carbohydrates and protein. The problem is that many people who have the condition don’t know they are already suffering from it. Take note of these five danger signs:

1. A Daily Cycle Of Headaches And Drowsiness:

We often pass them for simple stress and sometimes accept them as part of our living. But chronic headaches and lethargy can be signs of an underlying condition. People with hypoglycemic often suffer from frequent bouts of headaches. You probably should go to your doctor if these symptoms keep coming back despite taking medications.

2. Frequent Spells Of Forgetfulness And Confusion:

Dipping of glucose levels on a daily basis can affect your brain. In dire cases, severe hypoglycemic can result in brain damage. You don’t have to wait for that to happen. Many people think it’s normal to become forgetful or confused at some point. But if these problems occur frequently, you should consider having your sugar levels monitored. You don’t just develop mental problems suddenly and for no reason.

3. Too Much Stress:

Stress can exacerbate hypoglycemic because it exhausts your energy more than you realize. Stress is responsible for the release of cortisol and adrenalin, which are associated with symptoms accompanied by low blood sugar levels. If you are hypoglycemic, you should manage your life carefully. Stress at work or at home can be bad for your sugar levels.

4. Unusual Behavior:

You have to be aware of the symptoms of dropping blood sugar levels. A hypoglycemia attack can be manifested by confusion, incoherent speech, and loss of balance. If you notice these symptoms, you must have something sweet. A piece of candy or a sugar pill can help bring sugar levels back to normal.

5. Loss Of Consciousness:

Unattended hypoglycemia leads to unconsciousness, which can be life threatening. It means that the body has succumbed to extremely low levels of glucose and needs intravenous glucose replenishment. A person who loses consciousness due to hypoglycemia must be rushed to a medical immediately.

    The purpose of digestive tips is to increase your awareness on the importance of whole grains, and why adding a nutritional supplement to you diet may improve your nutritional outlook

   Even though more people are becoming more aware of the types of foods that are considered healthy and unhealthy, a majority of people refuse to alter their diets.

   In this fast paced world we live in, everyone is seeking a fast solution to everything.

Satisfying our taste buds, and filling our stomachs with foods that offer no nutritional value, does not seem to matter, until we’re faced with a health crisis.

Drinking plenty of water on a daily basis is one of the most important things you can do for your body.

Our bodies depend on water to help all the organs and cells to function at optimal health

A lack of water can lead to dehydration as well as fatigue.

To be more specific, drinking six to eight glasses of water daily, can reduce your risk of acquiring colon cancer by as much as 45%, and bladder cancer by 50%.

To ensure proper health and wellness, make sure your water is of the highest quality and free of contaminants.

Staying active bt exercising frequently, enhances your flexibility, help improve your physical appearance and delays the aging process.

Whole grain foods are natural sources of vitamin A, E as well as minerals zinc, copper and iron.

Why is this important? White breads digests quickly and can lead to excessive insulin production, placing too much sugar in your bloodstream which can promote cancer growth.

Some example of healthy whole grains include: brown rice, whole wheat, whole oats, whole grain barley and whole grain rye.

Whole grain foods are also good sources of soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber helps to maintain good gastrointestinal and bowel health.

The role of soluble fiber includes reducing blood cholesterol levels as well as helping to regulate your digestive system.

Getting digestive health tips from your nutritionist, or from trusted sources on the web, can help you make healthy food choices that promote a balanced digestive system.

Eating a healthy dose of fruits and vegetables may help protect you from chronic disease and provide a wide range of  valuable nutrients.

Try eating a variety of different fruits and vegetables so you don’t get bored with consuming the same foods on a daily basis.

Kiwi fruit, red watermelon, corn, black beans, white onions, sweet potatoes and spinach are just some of the many healthy food choices that you can enjoy.

.

   In today’s world, foods play a huge part on human beings. Advertisements, television commercials, restaurants, bars and fast food chains play an important role to promote their food products to people globally. We think foods bring us pleasure. However there are worst foods to eat across the globe. We are being fooled by the foods that bring indulgence and temptation to us. Sadly, these three of the bad foods are our body’s biggest enemy.

Food Enemy #1: Soda Drinks

Soda drinks are everywhere you go, vending machines at schools, workplace, public libraries, restaurants and other common places. There are a lot of brands and various flavors of soda drinks. It is also known as carbonated drinks, soda pop, soft drinks, tonic, fizzy drinks, carbonated beverage which is non-alcoholic. According to Us law, soft drinks are allowed to contain up to 0.5 percent of alcohol by volume. Why soda drinks are could be one of the worst foods to eat?

The amount of high fructose corn syrup, caffeine, refined sugars, and mixture of dry ingredients are too much and that raise the level of blood sugar in our body. USDA recommends dietary allowance (RDA) of added sugars in less than ten teaspoons per day for a 2000 calorie diet. However soda drinks contain more than this amount and that is ridiculously insane!

Soda drinks can lead to dehydration, obesity, type 2 diabetes, dental cavities, low nutrient levels, liver damage, tooth decay, hypertension, kidney stones and kidney disease. Therefore soda drinks are useless for our body and should be avoided at all cost.

Food Enemy #2: French Fries

French fries are the worst foods to eat because it is deep fried. any food that is deep fried increases, trans fat and saturated fats. Even though french fries are made from potatoes, there is a chemical called acrylamide which is form during the potatoes are being baked, fried or grilled. The same goes to baked potatoes and potato chips. This chemical could cause cancer in rats and that could cause the same to human beings.

French fries are widely popular in most fast food restaurants but never be found in the health food pyramid. But sadly in America, around 2 billion servings of fries each year and that worsen the obesity level.

Food Enemy #3: Processed Meats

This is one of the worst foods to eat because it is completely unnatural and not organic at all. Processed meats do look tasty because it looks fresh because of the bright red color of the meat. The reality is that the red color of the meat is actually the huge amount of sodium nitrate and mono sodium glutamate (MSG). It is really bad for consumption and lead to major health problems including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, risk of colorectal kidney, risk of pancreatic cancer and stomach cancer.

Processed meats includes bacon, hot dogs, sausages, burgers, nuggets, packaged ham, sandwich meat, pepperoni, salami and all types of meat that is processed and frozen. Beware of these processed meats because it is sold everywhere at fast food chains, restaurants and most food stalls in school, hospitals, hotels and so on.

Do you notice something about all these three worst foods to eat? Soda drinks, French fries, and burgers. These three foods complete a whole fast food meal! Imagine if all these three foods being consume inside your body. It will definitely triple the bad health effects tremendously! It triples the chances of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and the list goes on and on.

Therefore eating at fast food chains is really a big disaster for our health and body and that is crazy! We need to stop eating fast foods and start eating healthy now. You will live longer, healthier and stronger than ever before. Remember, always pay the grocer instead of paying the doctor!!!!

, obesity, type 2 diabetes, dental cavities, low nutrient levels, liver damage, tooth decay, hypertension, kidney stones and kidney disease. Therefore soda drinks are useless for our body and should be avoided at all costs.

   The cause of sugar cravings is multi faceted, emotional, physical, psychological, serotonin, release of dopamine and much more.

You may never think of chocolate the same and that’s good news as it’s at the top of the list of food items most commonly craved. Chocolate and sugary foods release opioids upon consumption.

Yes, opioids- just like opium or heroin.

Opioids will bind to brain receptors, triggering feelings of pleasure and well-being. Further evidence that supports the stimulation of opiate receptors by chocolate is that blocking the receptors will reduce the cravings.

Cause of Sugar Cravings and Sucrose:

a 2005 Swedish study proved that sucrose causes the release of endogenous opioids and thus triggers more sugar consumption. Chocolate also causes the brain to release endorphins and contains small amounts of Anandamide, an endogenous cannibinoid that has similiar effects on the brain as marijuana. The cause of sugar cravings is multifaceted.

Another neurotransmitter involved in the cause of sugar cravings and will increase them is serotonin. When we eat sugar or other refined carbohydrates, they are easily broken down and converted to glucose, and fructose. In response to this glucose load, the brain releases serotonin and beta-endorphin s.

Serotonin has many functions in the body and is most known for making us euphoric and feeling good. And low serotonin states with depression and fatigue will cause sugar cravings and promote more cravings. That’s why these sweets are the cause of sugar ravings and become so addictive.

There is a very interesting parallel however. What happens when you take a “natural” substances out of nature, and refine it so much so that you can optimize its biological and chemical activity?

Causes of Sugar Cravings and Sugar Cane:

By the way, cocaine is a drug that is refined from cocoa leaves, opium and heroin from the poppy flower and yes, sugar from a gnarly piece of plant called sugar cane. We made sugar what it is today. We processed it, and then we accentuated the “sweet business” by adding another “natural” product called high fructose corn syrup.

We are doing this us to ourselves and we have created a country teeming with illness that unfortunately is being perpetuated by the ridiculous low-fat diet. Or we could say high sugar diet. There is so much more to the cause of sugar cravings though.

Psychological components are at hand in the cause of sugar cravings. Enticing foods, memorable food experiences, and vivid visual imagery of a delicious slice of chocolate cake cause the release of dopamine. A cause of sugar cravings is the addictive pleasure hormone that is also released during sex and drug use.

Of all the substances we consume that are damaging, sugar is the most harmful as it ignites inflammation and inflammation causes heart disease. We can see the result of excessive sugar in diabetes, obesity and cancer as well. Having seen the ravages of damaged hearts for 15 years as a heart surgeon, my goal today is helping patients prevent disease. A huge step in prevention is overcoming sugar addiction.

   Unless you are one of those individuals who already eats a very healthy diet, chances are pretty good that these six super foods will be new to you, or perhaps just a few of them might be. Come take a closer look at these six super foods Now!

Amaranth: Amaranth is a green bushy plant that is sometimes grown solely to provide edible leaves which can be compared somewhat to spinach. One plant can produce over fifty thousand seeds in its lifetime. You can purchase the seeds at most any neighborhood health food store. Some plant are grown and create seeds that can be used for grain.

Aronia Berry: The Aronia berry is sometime known as the chokeberry since it is a very tart berry that most do not eat without sweetening it first. These berries look similar to blueberries but beat them hands down in the levels of antioxidants they contain. This fruit is very popular in Eastern Europe where it is a tasty drink that can help those with heart conditions.

Bok Choy: Bok Choy or Chinese white cabbage is a vegetables that is commonly found in wonton soup and stir fry recipes and has a mild sweetness to it. Bok Choy can be found in grocery stores all year around. It is loaded with an array of vitamins and also powerful antioxidants as well as calcium and much needed fiber.

Jicama:  Jicama is a sweet vegetable which has a light and crunchy consistency. It almost looks like a large potato or yam and can be eaten either cooked or even raw, and can also be deep fried as a healthy alternative to french fries. It can be cut into strips and added to fruit and vegetables platters.

Jicama is rich in calcium, fiber and vitamins. It can help keep cholesterol levels down and may also protect against heart disease. It can also boost your immune system and helps protect against the common cold and the flu.

Quinoa: Quinoa is a seed which is also a source of complex carbohydrates with a low glycemic index. It can be eaten at almost any meal and delivers plenty of vitamins and minerals and packs a powerful punch of protein, even more so than in a protein rich egg. A cup of Quinoa has nine grams of protein while an egg only has six grams.

It also has all eight of the essential amino acids. Quinoa also contains plant-derived calcium and in just one cup of cooked Quinoa there is thirty milligrams of much needed calcium Quinoa is gluten free and can be enjoyed by people who suffer from certain digestive disorders.

Purslane: Purslane is a green leafy vegetable that is packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals as well as dietary fiber. The leaves amazingly even have Omega 3 fatty acids ( even more than in some fish oils) which can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and strokes. This can be a nice change from thinking you must always turn to fish for these healthy Omega 3 fatty acids.

This food can be used in salads, stew and vegetables juices. Just a side note the stems and flower buds are edible but remember to trim the tough stems at their roots. When shopping for Purslane, carefully make sure there are no dark or yellow spots or even mold. Eat them when the leaves are fresh and not wilted. They should remain fresh for a few days in refrigerator.

    Most people are malnourished. I’m not talking about people living in impoverished, third world nations either. I’m talking about middle class Americans. Because their diet consists mainly of starch, sugar, and GMO’s ( genetically modified organisms), the body is simply disallowed from much needed trace minerals, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants that it requires to rebuild and repair tissue, and to maintain a slightly alkaline state.

The average American is consuming about one-third of a pound of sugar every day. Most of this sugar comes from high fructose corn syrup which is the primary ingredient in processed foods such as chips, crackers, cereals, breads, pastries, cakes, cookies, and candy. Besides sucrose and fructose intake, lactose, the sugar found in dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, is the third most common form of sugar consumed.

The so-called ” health drinks” such as fruit juice, contains a concentrated amount of pure sugar. And just because it’s ” all natural”, it doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Your body can’t tell the difference between sugar from cane, sugar from fruit, sugar from milk, sugar from maple syrup, or sugar from honey. To the body, it’s all sugar! In addition to all of this, complex carbohydrates foods such as bread, pasta, soy, legumes, whole grains, and potatoes, all get converted to sugar in the bloodstream. As a result of this ever increasing sugar addiction in the U.S. we have seen the rates of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and A.D.H.D. skyrocket to epidemic proportions in the last fifty years.

So, what’s wrong with sugar? Well, cancer loves it, thrives on it because is lower the pH in the blood. This creates the ideal environmental for cancer to thrive. Cancer forms in your body all the time, and has been forming and dying since you were born. If the body is healthy and maintains a pH level that is slightly alkaline ( 7.35- 7.45), then it will be able to defend itself against the proliferation of cancer cells. If, however, the environmental is perfect for cancer to thrive, as in an acidic, toxic, low-oxygen state, then cancer cells can multiply rapidly and form themselves into dangerous tumors.

The best way to give the body the nutrients it needs for optimal health and maintaining an alkaline state is through proper diet. This means consuming as many sugar-free, starch-free, nutrient-dense, anti-oxidant rich foods as you can eat. Throw out the grape nuts and begin consuming mushrooms, squash, broccoli, kale, artichokes, and peppers. And stop drowning yourself in sugary coffee drinks and begin drinking green tea instead. A cup of tea ( both black and green) contain about ten times the antioxidants found in a single serving of strawberries.