Fluoride Is Poison

When you walk into your dentist's office, are you greeted by a very large, definitely hard to miss poster telling you not to forget to have your fluoride treatment to protect your teeth against cavities?

Most of us, at some point, have had a fluoride treatment in the name of protecting our teeth.

The fact is that in the United States, it's illegal to add fluoride to food or to salt; but it's perfectly acceptable, even required in many areas, to add it to the water supply. As early as 1909, it was known that fluoride was an industrial pollutant that harmed plants, animals, and humans. It was banned as a food additive in that same year by the Pennsylvania General Assembly! That was in 1909!

The fluoride now found in approximately 90% of drinking water is hydrofluoric acid. It's a compound of fluorine which is a chemical byproduct of aluminum, cement, phosphate, steel and nuclear weapons manufacturing. In this man-made form, fluoride has no nutrient value at all. It's one of the most caustic industrial chemicals. It's so caustic in fact, that it's the toxin used in rat poison and cockroach powder.

Fluoride in the body destroys enzymes by changing their shape so they no longer "fit". Once that happens, the body recognizes the changed enzymes as foreign and begins to defend itself, turning on and destroying itself; an autoimmune condition is born.

Did you ever wonder why there is a warning on your tube of fluoridated toothpaste warning you not to swallow it? Well, consider this quote from Procter & Gamble: "A seven ounce tube of toothpaste, theoretically at least, contains enough fluoride to kill a small child."

And here are a two more facts for you to mull over while you're brushing your teeth with that minty fresh poison: 

• Taylor Study, University of Austin: fluoride concentration of 1 PPM (parts per million) increases tumor growth rate by 25%
• Fluoride is more poisonous than lead, and just less poisonous than arsenic - Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products - 1984

Fluoride also fast forwards the aging process. It dissolves the body's glue by preventing new collagen from being formed. This prevention of collagen formation affects many parts of our bodies... bones, genetic damage, brain damage, teeth; in fact, discoloration and crumbling of teeth as a result of fluoride exposure and ingestion is known as dental fluorosis.

The bottom line is you should avoid fluoride as much as you possibly can. If your water is fluoridated, get a really good filter for your tap, and find toothpaste that doesn't contain fluoride. It's not as easy as you might think, but you can always make your own... save money and improve your health!

Cheryl Major blogs about health, clean eating to lose weight and feel better and deal with depression, and about how to use food as your medicine. Get a FREE copy of her Sugar Detox 411 at http://www.ThinStrongHealthy.com

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The Best Detox Method: Stop Eating Processed Junk

In modern times, few people have the time or acreage to plant their own fruits and vegetables using natural fertilizers and no pesticides. This is how things used to be before everything went through a manufacturing plant prior to arriving at your grocery store.

Grocery store foods are generally canned, packaged or frozen-all of them processed. Think of the aisles of processed cereals, canned vegetables, and snack foods. These areas of the supermarket are far greater than the produce section, which is where you want to buy most of your food. Foods not labeled "organic" are likely sprayed with pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, therefore taxing your liver that must break down these processing agents so they aren't dangerous to your system.

While there are things like detoxifying 3 day juice fasts, it is ideal if you stay away from the damaging foods altogether so you are detoxifying your liver on a regular basis. Processed junk foods wear down the liver, making it overworked and inefficient. If you adopt a detoxifying diet, you can de-stress your liver and allow it to regenerate itself into its best operating state.

Your detoxifying diet

To some people, true detoxifying can only be done by fasting with water alone. This puts no stress on the liver, allows it to "clean house" and prepares it to eat healthy foods with a maximum of detoxifying power.

Your detoxifying diet can be a diet that you choose for a few days or can be gentler, choosing detoxifying foods as part of your longstanding repertoire of foods you eat every day. Such a detoxifying diet can provide you with loads of energy and maximal mental clarity.

Start this kind of diet with a trip to the store. Pick up organic fruits and vegetables that naturally detoxify you, such as cilantro, chlorella, garlic, lemons, limes and oranges. Mung beans are also naturally detoxifying and are easily digested by the digestive tract. Choose juices that contain a lot of vitamin C, which are high in water and will flush your system with detoxifying chemicals.

Think about buying a juicer in which you can juice collard greens, kale, mustard greens and apples or pears for sweetness. This provides you with a maximum of detoxifying power and replaces unhealthy processed snacks you can find elsewhere in the store. Juices will provide your body with caloric energy without the processed bad foods you shouldn't be eating.

While eliminating junk foods, you will be replacing them with juiced or whole organic fruits and vegetables, taken in every 90 minutes or so. Taking in food close together will keep your body from getting hungry or feeling deprived. You will crave processed, sweet and salty foods less and it will only get better as time goes on.

Added Benefits of a Detoxifying Diet

The foods you eat in a detoxifying diet will also help you lose weight. Without the added sugar and fat found in junky processed foods, you will naturally take on fewer calories. A diet of fruits and detoxifying vegetables contains fewer calories than a highly processed diet. A third of our population is overweight and could use a diet that can do the double duty of helping you lose weight and keeping toxins from overtaxing the liver.

You don't have to stick with juices or even whole fruits and vegetables. Miso soup will help you fill up, especially with chopped sea vegetables in it. Brown rice adds fiber and bulk to your stools and is naturally nontoxic, especially if you buy organic foods. With brown rice, you get a load of B vitamins, which act on your body to reduce stress. You'll sleep better at night and your body will naturally flush out your colon each morning.

Further detoxify your body with probiotics (healthy bacteria in capsule form or in yogurt), herbal laxative agents and antioxidants. Your cleansed body can be further purified externally through massage, baths containing aromatherapy oils or meditation exercises.

Russell (Rusty) Hart is the founder of the Health, Fitness & Sport Club, a website devoted to the promotion of health, fitness and wellness. The site encompasses a wide variety of health and fitness activities including general health matters, pilates, yoga, CrossFit, treadmill training, running, kettlebell, swimming, baseball, camping, hunting, HIIT, triathlons, extreme sports, equestrian and more. Should this subject matter be of interest you can visit the HF & S Club home site where you'll find over 1,300 quality posts with new posts being published daily. To quickly access those that are of interest you can select any of 20 Categories broken down by over 260 Sub-Categories for easy access. You can also visit visit any of the HF & S Club's four Stores all of which feature 1,000s of sports and health products at the very best prices. Access this website by going to http://www.healthfitnessandsport.com

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Basic Facts About The Juice Cleanse

If you want to gain some information on cleanses, you need to learn about the basic facts related to them. Juicing is a very delicious process or way that can enable you to get the nutrients and vitamins that are required by our body. We don't necessarily get these nutrients because it is not always possible to eat a healthy meal. The best juice cleanse has the facts as below.

It is not the best way that can be used to lose weight. According to many experts just by reducing your diet and limiting your intake to juices all the time is not always the best manner to lose weight. In the initial stages, you will lose weight as you will be limiting the intake of your calories.

A 3 day juice cleanse is a good way to get some veggies and fruits. By drinking juices, you can save a lot of time and concentrate on other jobs in case you don't have any time for eating food. This can be termed as the major drawback of a particular juice cleanse.

These juice cleanses are not very filling. You might always be having a certain part of your stomach left unfilled and this can affect you at some point or the other.

They have numerous health benefits as well. They can keep you hydrated for a long period of time which means that you will not have to worry much about your health.

There is quite a lot of evidence that these cleanse help in the process of detoxification. You can get rid of all the impurities in your body just by drinking a juice cleanse. Any human body that consists of impurities is prone to a lot of diseases. This means that it is essential to drink such cleanses that are not only healthy but also very delicious.

These cleanses can also make you look very good by enhancing your appearance. They are capable of helping you enormously as far as your looks are concerned.

However these cleanse can be expensive. They might cost you a lot at some point of time which means that you must think about saving some money as well.

The above facts are associated with any time of cleanse and not only to a particular cleanse. You must be careful while selecting the type of cleanse you require in order to get the most out of it.

To know more about best juice cleanse or 3 day juice cleanse, please visit our website.

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Protein Powder, Personal Trainer, and Still No Results?

"I have been going to the same gym for the last 7 years, and everyone there looks just about the same as they did 7 years ago." I wonder if it is the protein powder keeping the pounds on?

Even after you thought you did everything right at the gym, (even got a personal trainer), you are probably not eating in a way that is going to make you lose weight and heal your body.

I will tell you that you will probably never see any results unless you magically stumble into eating in exactly the right way.

With all the Dis-Information on the web and in magazines in today's times you would have better chances of finding a hundred dollars on the ground walking to the gym on a windy day in December.

You see if you follow the advice of your personal trainer, and eat the way your trainer eats, then you will also have to also do the same Volume of Training. So unless you are going to be training over an hour every day, then you might want to listen to what I have to say here.

Protein Powders actually add to the problem of weight gain because a lot of the time weight gain is caused because the body is over acidic. Protein powders make you more acidic.

In the past I had experimented eating tons of protein powder and all it did was make me bloated with gas and diarrhea.

You see, this was before I got certified as a Certified Personal Trainer by The National Academy of Sports Medicine. This was before I got certified as Fitness Nutrition Specialist.

So I did not buy into the theories they were teaching as I was getting certified. I was not brainwashed because I already knew the truth.

You will never find a Personal Trainer that will recommend that you don't take protein powders. If you want to lose weight I do not recommend it. If you don't want digestive problems, I do not recommend it.

The reason that I do not recommend it is because I do not work in a gym. I do not think it is healthy to eat protein powder and I won't get fired if I don't meet the sales quota of selling it among other supplements.

"Personal Trainers" that work in a gym would instantly get fired if they were to even think of saying what I am telling you here. Trust me.

In my early career as a Personal Trainer I applied to a few gyms. The main focus of the interview was "How good are you at sales???" Same story every gym.

It really pissed me off that not a single person asked me if I was any good at getting people results.

Right off the bat I said to myself this is not for me. I am not going to be forced into selling people supplements that I honestly don't recommend.

If you are not getting results with your trainer it is because all the training in the world is not going to correct the condition of an over acidic and toxic body.

All the exercise in the world is not going to clean out your digestive tract and get rid of rotting food residue.

In my opinion, protein powder is only going to add to the problem. Try cutting out the protein powder for a while and see if you don't start feeling better. I know I did!

You don't need Protein Powder to Lose Weight! You can do it by going on a specialized dietary program that cleanses and detoxes the body by eating the correct non-clogging and non-allergenic foods in very specific combinations.

About the author of this article:

Click here to shoot on over to his new website and check out all of the symptoms he has reversed with the secret diet plan he developed over the years.

His book is the product of over 7 years of research, trial and error, and keeping a detailed food journal.

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5 Natural Foods That Are Great For Detox

Detox is the process of removing toxins from your blood and body. The foods we consume on a daily basis can have harmful effects to our body, which is why detoxing is a great alternative toward one's health. If ignored, these toxins can really add up and cause health problems over time. One of the best ways to cleanse and purify your body from toxins, free radicals and other harmful substances is to consume the right natural fruits and vegetables.

Here is a list of 5 detoxifying foods that are great for your body:

Dark Leafy greens

These fresh greens can rinse your body of the toxin sludge unlike anything you have ever seen before. You can add them to your diet raw or in a cooked state. Best of all, these boost chlorophyll levels in your body and help your digestive system get rid of substances like toxins, smog and herbicides. Not only are they great for detox, but they also provide your body with the much needed vitamins, such as vitamins A and C, as well as folate, and also provide you with minerals like calcium and iron. Adding these greens to your daily diet will benefit you in so many ways.

Dandelion root tea

While it may seem like a joke to you, yet dandelion root tea is good as it can help rid the toxins out of your liver. Since your liver plays a major role in digesting food, toxins can accumulate in this vital part of your body, causing health deficiencies. Although dandelion tea is bitter, brewing a few cups with lemon juice can have pleasant effects on your body. You can also try adding a little honey to it as a sweetener for better taste.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is also a great solution when it comes to cleansing your body of toxins. It is a fruit rich in glutathione that helps fight toxins and enhances detoxification. Grapefruits also contain unique pectin that is known to lower cholesterol levels. Drinking freshly squeezed grapefruit juice will help increase the production of liver detoxification enzymes and help flush out unwanted toxins.

Avocados

This antioxidant rich food can shield you from toxins, as it is rich in fat. Don't be afraid of it, Avocados are a source of good fats and not the saturated ones. Fat is beneficial for detox, as it helps release bile from the gallbladder and eliminates toxins from the body, while absorbing fat-soluble vitamins which are essential for great health. Avocados of the organic variety may be the best for detoxifying purposes.

Beets

With their red color, beets are one the foods that are rich in nutrients as well as having superb detoxifying qualities. Beets contain a useful substance known as betaine, which helps the liver to remove toxins and also helps it defend against these harmful toxins. As well as having great detoxifying benefits, it also contains essential vitamins and minerals. Consuming beets can surely help the body to remove toxins and can be juiced or eaten in solid form.

Maintain a healthy life by treating yourself to body detoxification methods.

Read more articles about topics in health detox by visiting http://healthtrender.net/detox/.

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Incredible Health Benefits of Donating Blood

1.Reduce the chance of heart diseases

It has been observed that increase in blood iron level increases the chance of heart disease. Iron is involved in the oxidation of cholesterol and this process is believed to be detrimental for the arteries. Increases blood iron level favors this process ofcholesterol oxidation and thus leads to heart disease. Regular blood donation helps especially males in loosing iron on regular basis. It helps in reducing the chance of heart attack to one third.

2. Enhance the production of new Red Blood Cells

As the blood is withdrawn from the donors body there is decrease inblood cells. To replenish it, immediately new cells are produced bymarrow andthis way blood gets refreshed. Therefore donating blood helps in stimulating generationof new blood cells.

3. Helps in fighting hemochromitosis

Hemochromitosis is a genetic disorder; also know as iron overload disorder wherein iron accumulates in the body tissue because or improper iron metabolism. This condition may lead to organ damage.3 Though this problem is uncommon in Indians4, people with little iron overload also can easily donation blood and reduce their iron content.Taking example from other countries, one in every 300-400 people in England suffers from this disorder and American Red Cross blood services accept such donors as safe donor as it’s a genetic disorder,it won’t be harmful to the person receiving blood from such donors.

4. Burns calories

One can diet or remain fit by donating blood regularly. One pint of blood (450 ml) when donated burns 650 calories in donor’s body. 3, 5 Invigorated feeling in elderly people It has been mentioned in various sites though not proved that elderly people in good health have reported feeling invigorated or reenergized by giving blood on a regular basis.

5. Basic blood test is done

Apart from all these benefits a donor gets a mini blood test done before donating blood. This includes Hematocrit i.e. HB level test, Blood pressure is measured, body weight is checked. After the blood is collected it tested for 5 major diseases. Those are Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis and malaria. Donor is immediately informed if any of these test found to be positive.

Health Benefits of Blackberries

Cancer Prevention
Anthocyanins, which give blackberries their dark color, are an antioxidant shown to reduce inflammation. As an antioxidant, they destroy free radicals in the body that harm cells and lead to cancer. Research has also shown that the ellagic acid in blackberries may have anti-cancer properties. One cup of blackberries contains half of the daily reco

mmendation of the antioxidant vitamin C, which protects the immune system and may lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

Researchers have found that blackberries may reduce esophageal cancer by relieving the oxidative stress caused by Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition usually brought about by gastroesophageal reflux disease. Perhaps the greatest benefit from eating blackberries is their high level of phenolic acids which, besides having many other potential health benefits, are antioxidant compounds known as powerful anti-carcinogenic agents. Because of these compounds, blackberries have been given an ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of about 5350 per 100 grams, placing them near the top of ORAC fruits.

Cardiovascular Benefits
The anthocyanins that give blackberries their dark color are antioxidants shown to reduce inflammation by helping combat free radicals in the body that destroy cells and lead to heart disease. Vitamin C in blackberries acts as an antioxidant, and one cup of this delicious berry contains half of the daily recommendation of vitamin C. The immune system uses vitamin C to fight illness adequate vitamin C intake may lower the risk of developing heart disease. One cup of blackberries contains over thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber, promoting healthy digestion and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Skin Health
As are all berries, blackberries are a great source of ellagic acid, an antioxidant shown to protect the skin from damage from ultraviolet light. Studies have also shown that ellagic acid may also repair skin damaged by the sun. Vitamin C helps heal wounds, and studies also show vitamin C may even lessen the appearance of wrinkles. Studies of cyanidin-3-glucoside, a compound found in blackberries showed it prevents skin cancer by inhibiting tumors from growing and spreading.

Eye Health
Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant in blackberries and one cup contains half of the daily recommendation of vitamin C. The body uses vitamin C for protection from immune system deficiencies, and may reduce the chances of macular degeneration, a condition in which fine vision deteriorates, resulting in central vision loss and is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50.

Women's Health
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant estrogens found in blackberries that may help relieve the common symptoms of PMS like bloating, food cravings, and even menopausal symptoms including hot flashes.

 

Digestive Tract Health
Just one cup of blackberries contains over thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and aids in maintaining bowel regularity by bulking up the feces and reducing the time it takes matter to pass all the way through the intestines. Bowel regularity is commonly associated with a decreased risk for colon cancer.

Diabetes
Thirty percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber is to be found in just one cup of blackberries. The steady movement of fiber through the digestive system allows for a measured breakdown of food into its component parts. This even breakdown of food helps to curtail extremes regarding simple sugar uptake from the digestive tract. An excess of simple sugar uptake all at once can produce an unwanted blood sugar spike. A lack of simple sugar uptake may produce a rapid blood sugar drop. Either extreme can upset blood sugar balance. The quantity of fiber in blackberries helps avoid both extremes.

Bone Health
Blackberries are a good source of vitamin K, offering 36% of the daily recommended amount of this nutrient used by the body for the clotting of blood and to aid the absorption of calcium

Effective Steps for Managing Anxiety

Have you ever been in a situation that brought on sweats, rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath? You probably weren’t having a heart attack but an anxiety attack.  If you suffer from anxiety disorders, learning to manage it is the first step to overcoming it.

Anxiety is characterized as extreme reactions to fearful situations.  When someone follows you into a dark alley, those anxious feelings of a racing heartbeat and sweaty palms gives way to heightened senses and a rush of adrenalin that can save your life.  This is the fight or flight syndrome. 

In the case of frequent anxiety, the fearful feelings are dread of a particular situation and not the situation itself.  Getting caught in traffic can cause an anxiety attack over what might happen when you get to work late.  Starting a new job can bring on anxiety attacks.  You don’t know anyone and fear of that unknown can send you into a panic.

Everyone experiences panic or anxiety in small ways.  Like the fight or flight example, it can save your life.  In new situations, we get panicky but when the outcome we fear fails to materialize, the anxiety stops.  For someone with chronic anxiety, this is not the case.

Every situation that brings anxiety is not life-threatening.  More than likely it is an extremely stressful situation that has brought on the anxiety as a way of dealing with it.  Unchecked anxiety of this type can lead to depression.

If you suffer from anxiety attacks on occasion or a more frequent anxiety disorder, there are steps you can take to keep your anxiety under control. 

1. See a professional.  This is always a good first step.  Self-diagnosis of any type of physical or mental condition is unwise and can be dangerous.  A professional psychologist can help you understand your anxiety and prescribe medication or other effective techniques.

2. Get a good night’s sleep.  During the sleep cycle, your body repairs itself.  You feel more rested after several hours of restorative sleep, reaching the REM stage.  Most people need eight hours a night which varies within an hour or two each way.

3. Exercise on a consistent basis.  Exercise helps you to use oxygen more efficiently.  It helps to get more oxygen to the brain.  It also increases focus which may help you see solutions to problems rather than simply worrying about them. 

4. Meditate.  Meditation is more than chanting mantras.  Yoga is an exercise that involves quieting the mind and controlling your breathing.  Simple mediation such as taking 5 minutes to clear your mind everyday can work wonders in the fight against anxiety.

5. Manage the worry.  When you feel your pulse start to quicken, count backwards from ten.  As you count, focus on the situation.  What has actually happened? Resist the urge to read anything more into the situation. 

6. Don’t use alcohol.  You might think that the glass of wine is relaxing your tension but alcohol is a depressant.  In anxious situations you could rely too heavily on it and gain another problem in the process.

7. Find some relaxing activities.  Stress can rob you of your energy.  On a regular basis, do something you like such as gardening, painting, reading or listening to music.  

Anxiety can come into your life at any time.  It’s normal.  When the anxiety becomes frequent you could be at risk for more serious conditions.  If you feel your anxiety is starting to take over your life or increasingly causing you problems, seek professional help immediately.  There is no need to suffer this terrible condition in silence.

The Power of Antioxidants for Staying Young

Everyone wants to grow old gracefully.  Some go under the knife to get that youthful look while others opt for a 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 ingredient 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 pills.  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-product 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 stable, 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 diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis and neurological 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 diseases 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 aisle in the grocery store.  Fruits and vegetables contain the principle sources of antioxidants.

Examples of antioxidants include:
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin A
* Vitamin 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 benefit 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.

Top Ten Power Packed Foods

What is the secret to a long and healthy life?  It is in the food that we 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 ten of the top power packed foods designed to give you energy, vitality and all around good health!

1. Beans – If they give you gas, take precautions before you eat them.  Soaking them first can help.  Beans of all kinds (kidney, navy, lentils, chickpeas, 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 healthy portion of beans each day can keep your digestive system healthy.

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 much 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 fruit boost the immune system to fight the effects of aging in the body.

4. Allium foods – This class of foods includes garlic, onions, leeks and shallots.  Garlic is known for lowering cholesterol.  Allium vegetables healp guard the body against the risk of cancer and many other ailments.  They also help lower blood pressure and prevent blood 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 omega-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. Peppers – Peppers are colorful.  They contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and Vitamin C.  Peppers range 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. Açai – This berry has been in the news lately.  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 variety is good for you.  Yogurt contains calcium, 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 digestive system.

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

How to Overcome Emotional Eating

Eating is a part of life.  Your body gets its nutrients from food.  Sometimes we can go overboard with our eating habits and it can result in gaining weight.  One issue with food is emotional eating. 

The problem of emotional eating may end with the scale but it begins in the mind.  Stress takes its toll on your life.  When your defenses are compromised your health takes a hit and so do your emotions. 

Everyone has good days and bad days.  How we deal with the bad ones brings emotional eating into play.  You look for comfort for your hurts.  People who turn to food for comfort find a coping mechanism that won’t judge them, hurt them or tell them “no.” To complicate the issue, eating pleasurable foods can stimulate the release of endorphins just like exercise.  So, after you eat, you feel better.

Emotional eaters use food to relieve stress.  They hide behind the food instead of seeking solutions to the problems.  This is not uncommon when the stressor is something horrible such as physical abuse or a death.

But, how do you know you are using food in this way?  The first sign is obvious.  You will gain weight if you eat too much.  In light of the weight gain, examine other areas of your life:

* Have you been under stress lately at work or at home?
* Has anything traumatic happened in the last year?
* Are you dealing with a problem but haven’t found a solution?

Answering “yes” to any of these questions could mean that you are an emotional eater.  You eat but you are not necessarily hungry at the time.  The foods that you choose are what we term “comfort foods”:

* High fat foods like French fries, fried foods
* High carb foods like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes
* Sugary foods like ice cream, donuts, cookies, cake

There is help for emotional eaters.  The first step is recognizing that you have a problem.  You’ll experience feelings of helplessness and guilt.  The guilt is over potentially ruining your health and the helplessness lies in the fact that you don’t see a way out.

Secondly, seek counseling.  There are many types of counselors out there that can meet your need.  Emotional eating has nothing to do with dieting or changing your eating habits but gaining control over your emotions. 

A counselor might suggest things like visualization, practicing problem solving skills, relaxation techniques and family support.  Visualization helps you to see your problems in a realistic way and not blown out of proportion.  You will also learn to see food as nutrition for the body and not an emotional crutch.

Thirdly, your family can learn your triggers for stress and be on the lookout for changes in your eating habits.  They can help you be aware of the foods you are eating, assist you in making healthy food choices and exercise along with you.  Proper diet and exercise increases immunity, blood flow and positive thinking.  Yoga enhances the mind/body connection so you don’t eat when you aren’t hungry.

Finding new ways to solve your problems and deal with stress will push food out of the equation.  You’ll feel good about finding solutions which will replace the dependence on food.  

ADVANTAGES Of EATING SWEET CORN

Sweet corn is one among the most well-liked vegetable. It is loved by adults and children alike because of its sweet flavor . This vegetable , although being sweet and delicious , is a great source or many vitamins and minerals . According to WHFoods .org , sweet corn is very rich in vitamin B1 , vitamin B5 , vitamin C , phosphorus , manganese , fo
late and dietary fiber . Because of the vitamins contained in sweet corn , many health benefits can be associated with the consumption of this delicious vegetable .



CARDIOVASCULAR Health: 

Sweet corn is an excellent source of folate. Folate is commonly known as vitamin B9 . According to NaturalHomeRemedies .org, consumption of folate is effective in lowering the homocysteine levels in the body. Homocysteine is an amino acid that can damage the blood vessels. Elevated levels of homocysteine in the body can directly lead to heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease. Consumption of 100 percent of the daily value of folate can reduce the risk of heart attack by as much as 10 percent.

Cancer Prevention: 

Sweet corn contains a chemical known as beta cryptoxanthin . Beta cryptoxanthin is chemically similar to the well-known chemical beta carotene. The human body converts beta cryptoxanthin to vitamin A when consumed in foods. According to a study performed by Jian-Min Yuan published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, there is an inverse relationship between consumption of beta cryptoxanthin and lung cancer development. This means the greater amount of beta cryptoxanthin that is consumed, the lower the prevalence of lung cancer development. 

Memory Enhancement: 

Sweet corn contains high levels of thiamine, or vitamin B1. According to WHFoods .org, thiamine is an essential nutrient required for brain cell and cognitive function . Consumption of thiamine is necessary for the body to produce acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is essential for the maintenance of memory capabilities. One of the primary factors associated with Alzheimer's disease is low levels of acetylcholine.

Vision Protection:

Sweet corn contains the antioxidant zeaxanthin . Zeaxanthin is the yellow pigment that naturally occurs in sweet corn. Consumption of zeaxanthin can have a protective effect against age-related eye diseases such as macular degeneration. In addition, sweet corn also contains folate and beta carotene, which also may protect against macular degeneration.

Five Easy Toning Exercises you can Do Anywhere

Exercise is an important part of our lives.  Staying in shape is one way to increase your life expectancy.  Weight bearing exercises are important also for increasing muscle mass and bone density as you age.

Most of us have learned what to do when it comes to exercising.  The problem is where and when to get the job done.  With a busy lifestyle, making time for exercise is a challenge.

Weight bearing exercises aren’t just for bodybuilders.  As you age, especially once you hit the age of forty, you begin to lose muscle mass.  For women especially, bone loss becomes a problem.  When the body is in need of calcium it can rob it from your bones.  Building muscle not only increases their mass but your strength.

Here are five easy toning exercises that can be done anywhere and whenever you have time.  At home, at the office, or on vacation, you can do these easy yet extremely effective exercises.


1. The Bridge Butt Lift – Sounds like a plastic surgery technique but it is an easy way to tone your buttocks.  Lay down with feet flat on the floor, legs shoulder width apart.  Place your hands, palm side down, on either side of your body.  Pushing with your feet, squeeze your gluteal muscles and lift your butt off the floor.  Hold the position for a count of five to ten and release down to the floor.

2. Squats – Squats work the butt, the hamstring muscles and the quadriceps.  If you aren’t sure of proper form, you can use a chair.  Stand with feet shoulder width apart and feet firmly planted.  Push your butt back as if you were preparing to sit in a chair.  Keep your abs tight and your upper body straight.  Once you reach chair level stop and hold the position for a count of two to five and release.  At the lowest point, place all of your weight on your heels for balance and maximum toning.

3. Reverse Lunges – Lunges work the quadriceps muscles.  They can be hard for people with knee problems.  A reverse lunge still tones the right muscle groups but with less pressure on the knee.  Stand with feet together and arms at your sides.  Take one leg and move it backwards until you are in lunge position: front leg bent at a 90 degree angle and back leg extended until you are on the ball of your foot.  From this position lower yourself down until the back knee almost touches the floor.  Hold for a count of two and return to starting position.

4. Pushups – This is a classic toning exercise that works all areas of the arms plus the chest muscles.  If you aren’t comfortable or strong enough to perform a pushup on your toes, lower your body to your knees.  Be sure your arms are tucked into the body and your back straight as you lower and lift your body.

5. Crunches – Abdominal muscles can be worked every day to build strength and muscle tone.  Lying on the floor in sit up position, lace your fingers behind your head.  Squeezing your abdominal muscles, lift your upper body until your lower back is about to come off the floor.  Hold for two to five counts and return to starting position.

These five exercise moves can be done whenever you have time.  The best thing about exercise is that its effects are cumulative.  Even five or ten minutes at a time will work to your advantage.