Tweet
Add Avocados to your diet
A study has found that a diet including avocados can help get cholesterol levels into the healthy range. In the study after 7 days LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglyceride levels dropped by 22 percent and HDL ("good") cholesterol shot up 11 percent. Avocados are a good source of vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium, and folate. Avocados are very low in sodium and cholesterol-free but they do contain fat so eat in moderation.
Cocoa Benefits
Studies show the flavonols in cocoa can stimulate the body's production of nitric oxide, which boosts blood flow to the heart, brain, and other organs. One study found that cocoa can thin the blood just as well as low-dose aspirin. The caution to take with cocoa is to keep the level of sugar in the cocoa you drink to a minimum for best results.
Acid and Alkaline in Your Diet
The minerals in fruits and vegetables in more than 100 studies showed improved bone mineral density in 85 percent of cases studied compared to 52 percent improvement of cases studied for persons taking calcium supplements, according to the article, "The Calcium Myth - Natural Solutions Vibrant Health Balanced Living," by Michael Castleman, published in the August 2009 issue of Natural Solutions magazine.
A largely animal-protein based diet is acidic. A largely vegetable and fruit diet is alkaline. A low acid diet helps prevent bone loss. Meat and dairy contain five to 10 times more protein per serving than fruits and vegetables.
The alkaline from vegetables and fruits neutralizes some of the acids from eating animal protein. When your body has too much acid from eating animal proteins, your body draws calcium from your bone and dumps it into your bloodstream. That's how bone loss occurs from eating too much animal protein.
Read more about it in The Acid-Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health
Healthy Snacking
If you get hungry between meals, you can chose foods that will satisfy your appetite, taste good, and are healthy too. Some of the best are walnuts, almonds, dark chocolate with at least 70% pure cocoa, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries).
Local Honey Does the Body Good
You can overcome many of the problems of spring and summer allergies by eating local honey. Basically, you are building up your system's defenses against allergens in your environment, since you're taking it in after the bees have processed it--kind of like a hive-made vaccine. If you can't find local honey, raw honey would be a good alternative.
Feed your Brain
People with a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids have a lower incidence of depression. The membranes that surround brain cells contain significant amounts of fatty acids and when more of those fats consist of omega-3s, the membranes become more flexible and porous. That is important for absorbing nutrients and receiving/transmitting chemical signals, important in boosting mood. To keep your brain healthy, it is recommended that you eat two or three fish meals a week. The best food sources of omega-3s are cold-water fish, such as sardines, mackerel and herring (kippers).
Eat Your Fruit and Vegetables
Buying fresh fruits and vegetables are your best source of nutrients but sometimes can get expensive because they can go bad quickly and you end you throwing some away. But fruits and vegetables are also available canned or frozen. Since they are canned or frozen soon after they are harvested, many of their nutrients are maintained and some ways of processing (i.e., heat processing used for sweet corn) boost antioxidant activity. Look for brands made from organically grown produce. Choose canned fruit that is packed in its own natural juices or water, rather than in syrups that add sugar and increase empty calories.
The Atlas Vertebra and Blood Pressure
Many mechanical health problems (moving parts) can be helped by chiropractic adjustments to the spine. The first vertebra in the spine (top of the spine), the Atlas Vertebra, affects many other parts of the body when it is not in its proper place.
A recent study conducted by the Hypertension Center at the University of Chicago identified a small spot (the "Atlas area") on the body that appears to control blood pressure. In minutes, a single touch lowers blood pressure back to healthy levels. Top number drops 14 points, bottom number drops 8 points. No drug on Earth can match this instant miracle. Who knew it was this simple? It’s almost like a switch that allows doctors to dial down your blood pressure in minutes.
For further reading on the Atlas:
Research on the Atlas
The Atlas Vertebra: The "Neck Secret"
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful, fat-soluble antioxidant that is vital to good health.
Vitamin E helps support cell membranes and repair damage by free radicals, is necessary for structural and functional maintenance of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle, assists in the formation of new red blood cells, and helps to maintain the body's supply of vitamins A and K, iron, and selenium
Why not save yourself some money and get your vitamin E by eating healthy foods. You can add vitamin E to your diet with foods such as nuts, spinach, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, and whole grains.
People taking blood thinners or aspirin should consult with their doctor about taking a vitamin E supplement to avoid potential drug interactions. If you do supplement with vitamin E, take it with a meal that contains some fat to aid in its absorption.
Black Tea
Drink black tea hot or cold for a number of health benefits.
Black tea contains a number of antioxidants (compounds that help the body fight free radicals--chemical by-products known to damage DNA). One of those antioxidants is quercetin (also found in apples and onions), a substance said to combat inflammation and support healthy immune function.
A 2009 population study of 1,040 elderly adults found that long-term intake of black and/or green tea was associated with lower prevalence of diabetes. In a laboratory study published that same year, scientists discovered that compounds extracted from black tea were more effective at slowing the absorption of blood sugar than those extracted from green tea and oolong tea.
Depending on how strong it's brewed, black tea contains about 50 mg of caffeine per cup. Green tea contains 8 to 30 mg per cup. Coffee contains 100 to 350 mg.
Foods to Avoid for a Healthy Heart
Trans-fats--Trans-fats are found in most margarines, snack foods, heavily processed foods and some cooking oils. Read the label of your food carefully. Trans-fats are listed on food labels as "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" oil). Trans-fats can reduce HDL ("good") cholesterol levels and raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
Animal protein--Excessive protein from an animal source (meat, eggs, cheese, etc.) has been shown to raise levels of homocysteine, a toxic amino acid. You can eat meat, cheese and eggs but don't make that the largest percent of your diet. Add plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to satisfy your appetite.
Refined carbohydrates--A diet full of cookies, cakes, crackers, fluffy breads, chips and sodas can increase triglyceride levels and lower HDL. Avoid all products with "high fructose corn syrup." High fructose corn syrup is added to most carbonated beverages.
Salt (sodium)--Excessive salt in the diet has been linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Avoid processed and canned foods, taste foods before you salt them and do not add salt while cooking, avoid foods that are visibly salted and read the label (1,500 mg sodium per day is the suggested goal). Many food products have a "no salt added" version on the same self.
A study has found that a diet including avocados can help get cholesterol levels into the healthy range. In the study after 7 days LDL ("bad") cholesterol and triglyceride levels dropped by 22 percent and HDL ("good") cholesterol shot up 11 percent. Avocados are a good source of vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium, and folate. Avocados are very low in sodium and cholesterol-free but they do contain fat so eat in moderation.
Cocoa Benefits
Studies show the flavonols in cocoa can stimulate the body's production of nitric oxide, which boosts blood flow to the heart, brain, and other organs. One study found that cocoa can thin the blood just as well as low-dose aspirin. The caution to take with cocoa is to keep the level of sugar in the cocoa you drink to a minimum for best results.
Acid and Alkaline in Your Diet
The minerals in fruits and vegetables in more than 100 studies showed improved bone mineral density in 85 percent of cases studied compared to 52 percent improvement of cases studied for persons taking calcium supplements, according to the article, "The Calcium Myth - Natural Solutions Vibrant Health Balanced Living," by Michael Castleman, published in the August 2009 issue of Natural Solutions magazine.
A largely animal-protein based diet is acidic. A largely vegetable and fruit diet is alkaline. A low acid diet helps prevent bone loss. Meat and dairy contain five to 10 times more protein per serving than fruits and vegetables.
The alkaline from vegetables and fruits neutralizes some of the acids from eating animal protein. When your body has too much acid from eating animal proteins, your body draws calcium from your bone and dumps it into your bloodstream. That's how bone loss occurs from eating too much animal protein.
Read more about it in The Acid-Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health
Healthy Snacking
If you get hungry between meals, you can chose foods that will satisfy your appetite, taste good, and are healthy too. Some of the best are walnuts, almonds, dark chocolate with at least 70% pure cocoa, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries).
Local Honey Does the Body Good
You can overcome many of the problems of spring and summer allergies by eating local honey. Basically, you are building up your system's defenses against allergens in your environment, since you're taking it in after the bees have processed it--kind of like a hive-made vaccine. If you can't find local honey, raw honey would be a good alternative.
Feed your Brain
People with a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids have a lower incidence of depression. The membranes that surround brain cells contain significant amounts of fatty acids and when more of those fats consist of omega-3s, the membranes become more flexible and porous. That is important for absorbing nutrients and receiving/transmitting chemical signals, important in boosting mood. To keep your brain healthy, it is recommended that you eat two or three fish meals a week. The best food sources of omega-3s are cold-water fish, such as sardines, mackerel and herring (kippers).
Eat Your Fruit and Vegetables
Buying fresh fruits and vegetables are your best source of nutrients but sometimes can get expensive because they can go bad quickly and you end you throwing some away. But fruits and vegetables are also available canned or frozen. Since they are canned or frozen soon after they are harvested, many of their nutrients are maintained and some ways of processing (i.e., heat processing used for sweet corn) boost antioxidant activity. Look for brands made from organically grown produce. Choose canned fruit that is packed in its own natural juices or water, rather than in syrups that add sugar and increase empty calories.
The Atlas Vertebra and Blood Pressure
Many mechanical health problems (moving parts) can be helped by chiropractic adjustments to the spine. The first vertebra in the spine (top of the spine), the Atlas Vertebra, affects many other parts of the body when it is not in its proper place.
A recent study conducted by the Hypertension Center at the University of Chicago identified a small spot (the "Atlas area") on the body that appears to control blood pressure. In minutes, a single touch lowers blood pressure back to healthy levels. Top number drops 14 points, bottom number drops 8 points. No drug on Earth can match this instant miracle. Who knew it was this simple? It’s almost like a switch that allows doctors to dial down your blood pressure in minutes.
For further reading on the Atlas:
Research on the Atlas
The Atlas Vertebra: The "Neck Secret"
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful, fat-soluble antioxidant that is vital to good health.
Vitamin E helps support cell membranes and repair damage by free radicals, is necessary for structural and functional maintenance of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle, assists in the formation of new red blood cells, and helps to maintain the body's supply of vitamins A and K, iron, and selenium
Why not save yourself some money and get your vitamin E by eating healthy foods. You can add vitamin E to your diet with foods such as nuts, spinach, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, and whole grains.
People taking blood thinners or aspirin should consult with their doctor about taking a vitamin E supplement to avoid potential drug interactions. If you do supplement with vitamin E, take it with a meal that contains some fat to aid in its absorption.
Black Tea
Drink black tea hot or cold for a number of health benefits.
Black tea contains a number of antioxidants (compounds that help the body fight free radicals--chemical by-products known to damage DNA). One of those antioxidants is quercetin (also found in apples and onions), a substance said to combat inflammation and support healthy immune function.
A 2009 population study of 1,040 elderly adults found that long-term intake of black and/or green tea was associated with lower prevalence of diabetes. In a laboratory study published that same year, scientists discovered that compounds extracted from black tea were more effective at slowing the absorption of blood sugar than those extracted from green tea and oolong tea.
Depending on how strong it's brewed, black tea contains about 50 mg of caffeine per cup. Green tea contains 8 to 30 mg per cup. Coffee contains 100 to 350 mg.
Foods to Avoid for a Healthy Heart
Trans-fats--Trans-fats are found in most margarines, snack foods, heavily processed foods and some cooking oils. Read the label of your food carefully. Trans-fats are listed on food labels as "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" oil). Trans-fats can reduce HDL ("good") cholesterol levels and raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
Animal protein--Excessive protein from an animal source (meat, eggs, cheese, etc.) has been shown to raise levels of homocysteine, a toxic amino acid. You can eat meat, cheese and eggs but don't make that the largest percent of your diet. Add plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to satisfy your appetite.
Refined carbohydrates--A diet full of cookies, cakes, crackers, fluffy breads, chips and sodas can increase triglyceride levels and lower HDL. Avoid all products with "high fructose corn syrup." High fructose corn syrup is added to most carbonated beverages.
Salt (sodium)--Excessive salt in the diet has been linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. Avoid processed and canned foods, taste foods before you salt them and do not add salt while cooking, avoid foods that are visibly salted and read the label (1,500 mg sodium per day is the suggested goal). Many food products have a "no salt added" version on the same self.