Simple Health Cures

   Including these superfoods in your diet can help to alleviate symptoms associated with menopause, maintain your memory power, and prevent osteoporosis. These superfoods are delicious to eat, easy to prepare, and super good for you.

   Tofu is an alternative protein source to meat. Along with other soy products, tofu can be beneficial for lowering your cholesterol and preventing heart disease. Soy products like tofu may also decrease the side effects associated with menopause, including the dreaded “hot flashes”.

   Navy beans loaded with fiber, which can help reduce your risk of cancer and other forms of cancer, as well as relieve the symptoms associated with diverticulosis. Women need 30 grams of fiber a day, so include them in your favorite chili recipe, or try them as a side dish alternative to pasta or rice.

   Packed with calcium, yogurt can help prevent osteoporosis. It has also been shown to boost your immunity and help with weight management. Additionally, yogurt contains high amounts of good bacteria such as acidophilus, which helps to prevent yeast infections and urinart tract infections. It also contains protein, which may help your body battle the fatigue and weariness that follows a hot flashe.

   As we age, we sometimes find ourselves forgetting things or feeling as if we’re in a fog. If you find this to be the case, grab for the blueberries the next time you’re shopping for groceries. Recent studies show they may actually help with short term memory loss. They’re also loaded with antioixidants. Pair them with some low fat plain yogurt for a top notch way to protect both your brain and your bones.

   Avocado also contains antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, which can help to protect your vision and skin, which can suffer as we age. The monounsaturated fat found in avocados has also been shown to improve the condition of hair and skin. They’re great on a turkey sandwich, or mash up a few ripe ones and whip up a quick side of guacamole to have with some low fat baked tortilla chips.

   And as always, it’s important to make low fat and low sodium choices when menu planning. These do nothing to help alleviate the symptom’s brought on by menopause, and are unhealthy options at any age, but especially as we grow older. Avoid smoking or alcohol, and get plenty of rest, and you’ll soon find your menopause symptom’s are easily managed

   Everyone wants to grow old gracefully. Some go under the knife to get that youthful look while others opt for more natural way to maintain that healthful glow. The way to make peace with age can be found in the types of foods that we eat and the miracle ungredient they contain.

   This hidden “miracle” is called antioxidants. They have graced the pages of magazines, medical journals and every product from hand cream to supplement pilss. But what are antioxidants and what can they do to keep you looking your best?

   Antioxidants are substances that fight the aging process that goes on in your body. They are not produced by the body so to get the benefit of these power-packed substances you must ingest them. A variety of foods contain antioxidants.

   Let’s go back to the beginning. The body continually replenishes its cells. Through a process  called cellular metabolism, the body produces energy, more cells and repairs any damage. One by products of cellular metabolism is unstable molecules called free radicals.

   Free radicals are molecules that damage your body. They are unstable because they are missing an electron. To get another one and become stables, free radicals will steal electrons from cells. That theft damages the cells in a variety of ways.

   The results are visible and invisible changes to our bodies. The development of disease like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and neurolical deficiencies may begin to affect you as you age. also, thinner skin wrinkles and brittle bones are a problem. Free radicals enter our body from outside sources as well: cigarette smoke, radiation and the sun’s UV rays. The more free radicals we encounter, the greater the damage that can be done.

   Antioxidants have been shown to be of great help in the free radical problem. Antioxidant substances combine with free radicals and neutralize them. Once they are neutralized, they can no longer do any damage. Scientists don’t have any idea of a recommended daily dose of antioxidants to correct free radical damage and the disease that come with age, but they do know that eating foods rich in antioxidants makes a huge difference in how we live.

   Where do you find antioxidants? They are all around us. Look no further than your local farmer’s market or produce stand in the grocery store. Fruits and vegetables contain the principle sources of antioxidants. Vitamin C, A, E, Lutein, Lycopene, Beta-carotene.

   Certain minerals like zinc and selenium also function in the body. They are not antioxidants but they boost the immune system to fight against free radical damage.

   Antioxidants are also found in nuts, legumes, cold water fish, seafood and red meat. So, eating a varied diet of fruits, vegetables and the foods just named will increase the amount of antioxidants in your system and help reduce the incidence of disease. Eating fruits and vegetables in their natural form instead of juices brings the benfit of other nutrients found in the foods. Juices also contain a lot of sugar that is not needed by your body.

   Food does more than stave off hunger. Natural substances found there can cause us to live longer and stay free of disease as we age.

   What is the secret to a long and healthy life? It is in the food that you eat. As you well know, all foods are not created equal. Choosing and eating the right foods may help increase your life expectancy as well as the quality of your life.

Here are a list of power foods:

   1- Beans- If they give you gas, take precautions before you eat them. Now if you soak them before can help alot. Beans of all kinds (kidney, navy, lentils, chickpea, northern) are high in protein. This is plant protein so it contains very little fat, carbs and calories. If fiber is a problem in your diet, eating a healthly portion of beans each day can keep your digestive system healthly

   2. Oatmeal- Oatmeal is coming into popularity as a food that lowers blood cholesterol. You can make it yourself with rolled oats or eat the instant kind if you are in a hurry. Oatmeal is a filling grain that also provides mush needed fiber to keep hunger at bay and your blood sugar constant.

   3. Fruits- Fruits are filled with antioxidants such as Vitamin C and A. Antioxidants fight free radical damage in the body and reduce the risk of cancer. Berries such as blueberries and grapes have the highest amount of antioxidants. But choose an array of  fruits in a wide variety of colors for maximum health. The antioxidants in fruits boost the immune system to fight the effects of aging in the body.

   4. Alluim foods- This class of foods include garlic, onions, leeks and shallots. Garlic is known for lowering cholesterol. Allium vegetables helps guard the body against the risk of cancer and many other ailments. They also help lower blood pressure and prevent bllod clots. Eating these power packed vegetables in their natural state especially garlic increases their health benefits.

   5. salmon- Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of heart disease and other conditions like atherosclerosis. Wild salmon is a fatty fish but it contains good fats that has been proven to improve health in children and adults. Salmon is rich in protein which is of great use after an exercise session to build muscle tissue.

   6.Flax seed- Like salmon it contains omega-3 fatty acids. These seeds also contain omega-6 and omege-9 fatty acids. You get a lot of power to fight high cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes, with this seed. Ground flax seed can be added to fruit smoothies, sprinkled in yogurt, eaten with cereal or added to pancake mix to name a few.

   7. Peppere- Peppper are colorful. They contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin C. Pepper ranges from mild and sweet to so hot you’ll be calling the fire department. All peppers contain a substance called capsaicin. Capsaicin has the properties of an anti- inflammatory, a pain reliever, lowers cancer risk and heart disease. They are good in salads, salsa and all sorts of dishes.

   8. Nuts and Seeds- Nuts are high in fat but those fats are the good kind. Peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts and pistachios are all providers of good fats and protein. Crush them into a fine powder and use as a coating instead of higher carb bread crumbs. Nuts help to lower cholesterol. Eat them right out of the shell with no additives.

   9. Acai- This berry has been in the news. It is rich in antioxidants and increases energy. You can get more done and look better while doing it. You can get Acai juice and supplements in your health food store.

   10.Yogurt- The fat free varity is good for you. Yogurt contains calium, vitamin B, and protein. If you don’t drink milk, yogurt is an alternative to get your calcium in to build strong bones and teeth. Live yogurt also contains friendly bacteria to help promote a healthy dugestive system.

   Building a better healthier body begins with what you eat. Try these super foods to get started on the right foot.