Superfood for Hives

25 10 2009

   Hives are also known as uticaria, and they cause raised white or yellow, itchy wheals surrounded by an area of red inflammation. It is an allergic reaction by the skin, causing the body to release histamine into the effected tissues. The sixe of the wheat itself varies, with the larger ones sometimes joining together in places to form an irreugular rash. They usually cuase severe irritation and usually appear on the limbs and trunk, but can appear anywhere. Acute urticaria develops radids and usually lasts for as few hours it is persist for a long period of time.

   Common triggers include drugs such as aspirin and penicillin, food additives, food sensitivity such as milk eggs, shellfish and nuts, environmental factors such as exposure to cold, heat or sunlight, stress and bites, stings.

   All fruits and vegetables contain some amount of Vitamin C. Foods that tend to be the highest sources of Vitamin C include green peppers, citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, turnip greens and other leafy greens, sweet and white potatoes, cantaloupe and spinach. Vitamin C helps promote a healthy immune system and release antihistamines. Green tea is also reported to have an antihistamine effect.

   Vitamin 12 has been reported to reduce the severity of acute hives as well as to reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks in chronic cases. Vitamin B12 is found in animal foods, fortified foods, and some fermental foods. Some sources of B12 are eggs, meat, poultry, fish dairy products, and food made from soy. Salmon and low fat milk are particularly good sources.

   If you suffer from food allergies, it’s important to keep a detailed food diary. Note what you ate when you hives breakouts, as it may be just a simple matter of eliminating a food or several food from your diet in order to avoid suffering from hives.



Superfoods for Getting You Moving

21 10 2009

   It’s no wonder so many Americans suffer from constipation. Our diet of meat and processed food contains little fiber. Most of us are lucky if we’ve getting half of the 30 grams of fiber that we should each day. Without the bulk in our diet, it can make bowel movements practically immovable.

   Our digestive tract was designed for unprocessed plant foods that are loaded with dietary fiber, beans, leafy greens, fresh and dried fruits, vegetables and whole grains. High levels of dietary fiber increase both the frequency and quantity of bowel movements, decreasing the transit time of stool’s as well as the absorption of toxins from the stool.

   Drink at least eight to twelve 8-oz glasses of clean water per day. Hard, dry stools are a classic sign of dehydration. A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water when you wake up and then every hour after that.

   Try adding some wheat or barley grass to your daily routine. Mix two to three teaspoon of a nutrients rich blend of dehydrated wheat or barley grass in water and have another serving later in the day. These drinks have a restorative action on the intestinal tract and are especially good for constipation.

   As a supplement to a healthy, high-fiber diet, bran and prunes are particularly effective in relieving constipation. Whole prunes and prune juice possess good laxative effects. Eight ounces is usually an effective dose. A similar amount of aloe vera juice is also helpful.

   Vitamin C rich foods can help as well as they help with food and nutrient absorption. Try parsley, broccoli, bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, and Brussels sprouts, as they’re all great sources of Vitamin C.

 



Superfoods For Food Poisoning

18 10 2009

   Food poisoning is an all encompassing term involing 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 votmiting 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 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 the 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 food rich in irons, zinc, vitamin C to help your body get back to it’s old self again.



Superfoods For Your Pregnancy

14 10 2009

   Pregnancy is a wonderful time in your life. It can also be very taxing and exhausting for your body, mind and spirit at times. But by nourishing your body with these great superfoods, you’ll be energized, strong and sharp, and ready to welcome your bundle of joy healthy and happy.

   Beans and legumes are good sources of protein, fiber, calcium, iron, thiamine and niacin. Make a big batch of beans when you have time and freeze them in small containers. Be careful with canned varieties, as they’re usually higher in sodium and their nutritional value is a bit lower since they’reprocessed using high temperatures. Soybeans provide more protein than any other bean or legume, making them a staple either the vegan or non-vegan. Soybeans are rich in many nutrients, including calium and iron.

   Include plenty of whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, millet, and oats as they’re a great sources of fiber, minerals, protein and B-complex vitamins. Buy the least processed grain types you can find, since many of the commercially prepared grains have had the nutritional and beneficial germ and bran removed.

   Dark green leafy vegetables like kale, collard greens, watercress, and spinach are especially important while pregnant or lactating because they supply so many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. Dark leafy green vegetables also rich in phytochemicals like beta carotene and lutein which protect against many forms of cancer. Vegetables from the cabbage family such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage are wonderful sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and calcium. They are also rich in phytochemicals that have anticancer properties. Dark green leafy vegetables and cabbage familytable provide important nutrients that help to promote a plentiful milk supply for your baby.

   Nuts and seeds are good sources of fiber, protein, minerals and essential fatty acids. Be sure to eat flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, almonds and walnuts to get omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for baby’s brain and nervous system development as well as your own health. Nuts and seeds can be eaten raw or toasted, and work great in a salad made of dark leafy green vegetables.

   Lastly, it’s important to drink plenty of water, and make sure you’re getting plenty of rest during this time. A well-hydrated, well-rested body recovers more quickly, and ready to take on the challenges that life with a newborn baby brings with it.



Super Strategies for Acne

8 10 2009

   Most people with ance attempt to treat their irritated skin with external face washes, soaps, lotions and treatments. However, the best way to treat acne is by changing your diet and getting rid of acne-causing ingredients such as fried foods.

   A healthy diet rich in natural whole foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans is the first recommendation for treating acne. Foods containing trans-fatty acids, such as milk, milk products, margarine, shortening and other synthetically hydrogenated vegetables oils, as well as fried foods, should be avoided.

   It seems the prevalence of acne in the United States is built into the typical American diet. Americans tend to eat fried foods in large quantities, usually cooked in the most harmful of fats and oils. Not all fats are bad, but the fats that typical Americans eat make them more prone to develop acne and skin problems, such as what’s in ice cream, cheese, bacon, and milk.

   Ance cannot really be treated using creams and soaps because the root of the condition lies breath the skin. Pimples and blemishes are caused by bacteria and other irritants embedded underneath the skin’s oil glands and hair follicies, which are generally caused as a result of imporper hygiene and poor diet such as too much processes, fatty, fried and sugary foods.

   A skin healthy diet emphasizes raw and lightly cooked vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables that contain valuable trace minerals and are rich in fiber. Fresh green vegetables are essential. Also include in your diet lean protein sources and complex carbohydrates, such as rice, whole-grain bread, and potatoes. These fiber rich foods help ensure a clean gastrointestinal tract, which is especially important in the management of acne. Eat three healthy meals daily to provide important nutrients and to decrease your appetite for sugary or greasy fried foods. Food rich in Vitamin A, like apricots, watermelon, and broccoli, as well as foods like lean beef, nuts, beans and whole grains that are rich in zinc can also be helpful in reducing acne breakouts. It’s also imperative to drink lots of water to help flush the toxins out that contribute to breakouts.

  

  



Superfoods For Great Skin

4 10 2009

   It’s been said we are what we eat, and that sentiment definitely holds true when it comes to our skin. It’s our body’s biggest organ, and it deserves all the nutritional TLC we can give it. So Take a look at what you’ve been feeding yourself, and therefore feeding your skin.

   One the most important components of skin health is Vitamin A, and probably one of the best sources of it is low-fat dairy products. It could be said the health of our skin depends on Vitamin A. Low-fat yogurt is not only high in Vitamin A, but also have an impact on the skin, since it aids in digestion. Other sources of Vitamin A include cod liver oil, sweet potatoes, carrots, leafy vegetables and fortified breakfast cereals.It’s important to also make sure you’re eating foods rich in antioxidants such as blackberries, blueberries, strawberris, and plums. The benefits of those food for healthy skin are plentiful. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits can proect the skin cells, so there is less change for damage. This in turn guards against premature aging, and keeps skin looking younger longer. Other fruits and vrgrtables that are high in antioxidants include artichokes, black, red and pinto beans, prunes and pecans.

   Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are essential to your skin. Include salmon, walnuts, canola oil, and flaxseed. EFAs keep cell membranes healthy, and allow nutrients to pass through.

   We also need healthy oils, which contain more than essential fatty acids. Eating good-quality oils helps keep skin lubricated and keeps it looking and feeling healthier overall. Look for oils that are cold pressed, such as olive or extra virgin oil. We only need about two tablespoons a day of healthy oils, so use wisely.

   Selenium plays an important role in the health of skin cells. Turn foods like Whole wheat bread, muffins and cereals, turkey, tuna and brazil nuts for this important nutrient. Recent studies show that if selenium levels are high, even skin damaged by the sun may only suffer minimal, if any damage.

   Choosing the whole grain versions of complex carbohydrates can have a significant effect on insulin levels. Processed and refined sugars can cause inflammation that may ultimately be linked to skin break outs.

   Green tea has anti- inflammatory properties, and it protects the membrane of the cell. It may even help prevent or reduce skin cancer risks.

   Water plays such an important role in your overall health, and it has a profound effect on your skin’s health as well. Well-hydrated skin is healthy, and it has a profound effect on your skin’s health as well. Well-hydrated skin is healthy and young-looking. It also helps move the toxins out of your system so they have less chance to do damage.



Superfoods For Sinusitis

1 10 2009

   Sinusitis simply means inflammation of the sinuses, but this gives little indication of the misery and pain this condition can cause. Chronic sinusitis, sinusitis that persists for at least 3 weeks, affects an estimated 32 million people in the United States and Americans spend millions of dollars each year for medications that promise relief from their sinus symptoms.

   Symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness and tiredness, a cough that may be more severe at night, and runny nose or nasal congestion. In addition, drainage of mucus from the sinuses  down the back of the throat ( postnasal drip) can cause a sore throat.

   However, by introdcing a few of the superfoods from certain vitamins groups, we can lessen our chances of becaming afflicted with this painful and bothersome malody.

   Citrus fruits, rec berries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, red and green bell peppers, cabbage, and spinach are all excellent dietary sources of vitamin C, which helps promote a healthy immune system.

   The B-complex vitamin are actually a group of eight vitamins, which include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and folic acid (B9), and are essential for a healthy nervous system, processing carbohydrates for energy, and the creation of red blood cells. Organ meats, beans, whole grain cereals, oatmeal, potatoes, salmon, bananas, and spinach are only a few of the many food members of the vitamin B group with high levels of this group of nutrients.

   Vegetables oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals are common food sources of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that acts to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging-by-products of energy metabolism. Free radcals can damage cells and may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Vitamin E has also been shown to play a positive role in immune function.

   Inhaling steam from a vaporizer or a hot cup of water can soothe inflamed sinus cavities. Another treatment is saline nasal spray, which can be purchased in a pharmacy. A hot water bottles, hot, wet compresses, or an electric heating pad applied over the inflamed area also can be comforting.

   A person susceptible to sinus disorders, particularly one who also is allergies, should avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants. Inflammation in the nose caused by allergies predisposes a patient to a strong reaction to all irritants. Drinking alcohol also causes the nasal-sinus membranes to swell. Try to avoid dairy products, as they stimulate your body to produce more mucous.