Simple Health Cures

   Obesity is defined as excess total body fat, and is usually seen in people who weight 20% or more over their normal body weight. BMI or body mass index is the most common method of measuring for obesity. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 shows a person to be overweight, and if the measurement reaches 30 or higher, the person is considered obese. Morbid obesity is when a person’s BMI is 40 or higher and they are 50% or more above their normal weight.

It is common knowledge that consuming more calories than we burn in a day can lead to obesity, but there are other obesity facts that should be considered.

- Age is the leading factor in obesity. As a perso ages, their body metabolism lowers, which can result in weight gain in later years if the person is still maintaining the same diet and exercise routine as they did when they were younger.

- Gender is another major factor in obesity. Women have a higher percentage of obesity than men. A women’s metabolism is lower than a man’s which means they burn less calories per activity than an man does. In later years when a women becomes menopausal, their metabolism slows down causing significant weight gain postmenopausal.

- Environmental also plays a role in obesity. In many cases, a person’s environment plays a huge role in whether a person eats and exercises right. If a person is surrounded with other people who do not exercise or eat properly, they tend to follow the same patterns.

- Physical exercise tends to lower a person appetite while raising their metabolism. A person who tends to be inactive has a lower metabolism, and has a larger appetite. Research has also shown that man inactive people tend to eat out of boredom instead of hunger, and is more common in women. In the last 20 years, obesity has increased dramatically due to decrease of physical activity of the general public. Many experts blame this on the electronic generation, where children over the past 20 years have been raised by electronics that are more appealing than simply playing outside. The behavior in children can lead to obesity and will follow them into adulthood.

- Psychology also plays a role in influencing a person activities and eating habits. A person often eats to fill the boredom or in response to negative feeling of sadness or anger. Women tend to overeat during menopause as their hormone levels become imbalanced and they suffer from moments of depression.

- Illnesses such as hypothyroidism can also lead to obesity, which is an over active thyroid that tends to slow a person’s metabolism.

- Medications such as steroids and antidepressants can also cause a person to gain weight.

   Good nutrition for seniors is a subject few think about, as they grow older. But, as we age our metabolism slows down and those calories that were easy to burn when we were kids now just seem to hang on. This is why older people will put on extra weight more easily than when they were young, and it’s what makes it so much harder to take thses same pounds off!

Good nutrition for seniors is important for many health reasons, and just being a bit overweight can impact seniors in a destructive way, to a greater extent than younger people. Being heavy can put a lot of strain on joints and can speed up the problems of osteoporosis and arthritis plus contribute to other illnesses and muscle disorders. Being overweight can also bring on diabetes, which is very common to seniors.

As we get older our diet becomes more and more important as the health benefits of good nutrition can greatly improve our quality of life, much more so than in our younger years. And, eating the right amounts and proper balance of nutrients can help keep the immune system functioning correctly and that helps ward off illnesses.

Vitamin Deficiencies In Seniors:

Most people do not recognize exactly how numerous preconditions could be made riskier by vitamin insufficiencies. It’s crucial for everyone, not just seniors, to realize the importance of vitamins and minerals in sustaining good health. If you don’t believe you’re getting an adequate supply of nutrients from your diet, for whatever reason, then it might be a good idea to use a daily multi-vitamin supplement.

The Seniors Big 5:

Here are five valuable considerations for keeping your health in a good place as you age:

1. A healthy meal plan

2. A good regimen of natural vitamin & mineral supplements to ensure you are getting “all” the nutrients you need daily.

3. Exercise that is appropriate to your ability.

4. Plenty of restful sleep.

5. Avoid being sedentary. Enjoy your life and keep mentally active. Stay in touch with friends & Family, read, have fun with hobbies.

As we’ve all heard before, you only get one chance at life. Make the most of it. Improve your diet habits today today and you could be rewarded with good health and long life. It is an unfortunate reality that we all have to get old..but, there is no reason for us not to try to stay healthy and feeling young for as long as we can.

Good Nutrition Matters:

Good nutrition for seniors is by far the best way to ensure you stay healthy and keeps your energy levels high. This way you’ll be able to enjoy your leisure time and fight infections and ill-health.

   What are fit foods? Fit foods are items that are truly healthy for you without any added sugar, refined sugars, artificial ingredients or trans fats. They are foods you can eat and not only feel great about eating them but know that these foods are doing something healthy for your body. They are foods that are relatively easy to obtain without having to make special orders or search endlessly for a rare item. This list of 10 fit foods provides a great resource for snacks and tiny meals to grab when you are in a pinch. Making choices that fit into your calorie goal is so important but it’s also important to make sure that your choices are will help you nutritionally.

1. Apple- a medium apple contains about 95 calories. Wash and bite into a big juicy apple for a quick snack that you can take with you.

2. Orange- One large orange has approximately 90 calories. Get your Vitamin C and a refreshing snack when you break into an orange. Citrus fruits are prefect for traveling with because they come in their own container. All you need to do is peel and enjoy!

3. Small Banana- A banana that is approximately 6 inches long is considered small. Enjoy this 90 calorie snack in your car, on the way to work or at your desk. Bananas provide a great source of potassium.

4. Mini Luna Bar- Luna Bars are one of the perfect pre-packaged bars. They range from 80-90 calories and are made from about 70% organic ingredients.

5. 100 Calorie Pack of Almonds- Portioned out for you, 100 calorie packs of almonds provide the perfect amount of the crunchy snack. A great source of monounsaturated fat, almonds are packed with fiber, magnesium, calcium and Vitamin E.

6. Peach- When they’re in season, these little gems are juicy and delicious. One large peach only has roughly 65 calories. Peaches are virtually sodium free, cholesterol free and are a good source of fiber.

7. Organic Peanut Butter ( crunchy, unsalted)- Nutrition will vary slightly based on the brand but organic peanut butter is a wonderful way to get in some Vitamin B3 and heart healthy monounsaturated fat. 1 tablespoons = 90 calories.

8. 100 Calorie Popcorn ( low butter)- At 10 calorie a bag, this fit food is already portioned out for you and can be popped anywhere that has a microwave. Easy to travel with, easy to eat and packed with fiber, popcorn can be a tasty snack.

9. Mini Cliff Bars- These things aren’t heavy on the protein but if you need a sweet fix, they may offer the perfect alternative. These mini bars pack 90-100 calories and come in flavors like chocolate chip, peanut butter and blueberry crisp. Made with organic ingredients plus protein, fiber, 23 vitamins and minerals, these little bars are great source of energy.

10. Blueberries- Yum, fresh berries are sweet juicy. Grab yourself 1 cup of blueberries to equal approximately 85 calories. Blueberries have fiber and are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. Much Away!

You’re on your way to healthy snacking with this list of fits foods under 100 calories. Healthy eating can be boring at times and sometimes it’s nice to have a reference to easy healthy foods so you can mix it up and keep your nutrition interesting. Make a list of your favorites and keep it on hand so you always have something to reference. Remember, being prepared is half the battle to successful health and weight loss.

   There has been a lot of talk about the effects of drinking water on a diet. Some claim that drinking water is a fast weight loss technique. Others say it hardly does anything. What does water actually do for a diet in general and weight loss in particular?

Drinking Water Before Meals:

One of the big causes for weight gain is overeating. By drinking one to two glasses of water before starting a meal, the body starts to fill up on a calorie free liquid. This curbs the hunger somewhat and limits the craving to eat.

Furthermore, in an article published by the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, it publicized a study which shows that the body’s metabolism increases by 30% after drinking 2 glasses of water. This means that the fat accumulated during a meal will burn faster and more efficiently when you drink water before eating. In the same study they found that people actually ate fewer calories after drinking water, and lost more weight than their counterparts.

In short when you drink water before eating a meal it does two things for your diet. First of all, you end up eating fewer calories during the meal. Second, the water improves the system’s ability to burn calories efficiently. Drinking water before meals id definitely a good start to a healthy diet and weight loss program.

Drinking Water between Meals:

For the same reasons listed above, drinking enough water throughout the day is vital to a successful diet. Without enough between meals which means snacks and more calories and fat. Make a habit of drinking water often, and it will curb the urge to sack between meals.

In addition, very often the body will mistaken thirst for hunger. By drinking enough this will keep the body hydrated properly and you will not feel these misleading signals.

Dehydration Causes Facial Bloating:

Not drinking enough water could cause facial bloating. When the body starts to dehydrate, it will store extra fluid in the facial tissues giving the face a bloated look. Keep you face looking slim by drinking enough water. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Thirst is a sign that the body is already partially dehydrated. Keep drinking water and you are on your way to a successful path to efficient weight loss.

The Water Diet:

There are some people that believe in what is called a water diet. Basically, it involves drinking 64 oz of cold water a day. You are supposed to drink the water in increments of 8ozs throughout the day. The theory behind this diet is that the body requires calories to bring the cold water up to body temperature. So by drinking cold water we are forcing the system to burn more calories

While this theory makes sense, there were no studies that are known to this author to prove that it actually helps with weight loss. Even if the theory was true, you do not need many calories to warm p the water to body temperature. The body burns about 12 calories for every two cups of water. But of course every calorie counts and combined with the above benefits of water to a weight loss program it is definitely worthwhile to get into the habit of drinking water.

   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.

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