The Symbol of Lifestyle

One of my male friends asked me if I have idea what is the best supplement he should take. I remember him posted some pictures on his profile taken just a week ago in which he and his circle of friends are smoking cigar. He even put a comment on the album that it is a symbol of lifestyle. I immediately remember the health info I’ve read that smokers need more vitamin C than non-smokers so I stress more about the importance of vitamin C to his health by sharing the info I got aside from other essential vitamins and minerals.

I reminded him that supplementation could not make up for unhealthy lifestyle, it just fill in nutrient gaps. I know he got my point thus he smile and nodded. I told him also about the importance of antioxidants that could be taken from right diet for him to enjoy optimum health. I jokingly added that next time he need to post photos in which he is holding vitamin C-rich foods and, or supplement too on his profile as  symbol of his lifestyle. And, to read my posts every now and then. How, about you, what is the symbol of your lifestyle?

How to Effectively Prevent Wrinkles

Best wrinkle cream helps a lot in erasing wrinkles. But, did you know that what you eat could delay or even prevent wrinkle formation? Food rich in antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E could protect your skin from environmental damage. Diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and polyunsaturated oils helps a lot not just against skin aging but good health in general. Especially if you limit yourself from processed foods, butter and sweet goodies. Why not start to eat right today to prevent wrinkle formation tomorrow?

Why We Consider Junk Food an Unhealthy Food

“Why we consider junk food an unhealthy food and why it is called junk Aunt Midas?” my niece asked me yesterday afternoon while we are buying some stuff at the supermarket. I simply answered her that junk foods are bad foods especially those that are preserved, they are not good for the body. Junk food is an unhealthy food, not fit for eating. But she insisted that there are healthy junk foods too because of some nutritional value you could find on its packs that is why eating junk foods is fine. She made me smile that time, yes, all foods have some value but it does not mean that it has a little nutritional value you could categorize it as healthy or nutritious food. I explained to her that junk foods effects, could not be seen immediately, that it takes time before she could see its bad effects.

Why we categorize junk foods as unhealthy foods? Not just because of its low nutritional value that it was called unhealthy food but because of junk foods effects, the hazards it could cause to one’s health. Junk foods are usually high in fats. As we could see on the back label of a junk food, the fats they mostly use are hydrogenated oils, the common term for trans fatty acids or trans fats (could cause cancer). Manufacturers hydrogenate the healthy unsaturated fats so that it will last long. Unfortunately, hydrogenation causes the healthy unsaturated fats to become unhealthy saturated fats which could result to clogged arteries and heart problems. That is just one reason why eating junk foods is not advisable.

And what are some of the junk food effects why junk foods were called an unhealthy foods? High level of salt in a junk food could cause hypertension and, or kidney problems because of its sodium content. If it is a sweet junk food, too much sugar could not only ruin the teeth but could cause obesity and diabetes in the long run. Other junk foods uses aspartame or saccharin as sweetener. These  sweeteners has been linked with other health problems including certain cancers in laboratory animals. Have you seen monosodium glutamate (MSG) listed on the junk food content? This additive is flavor enhancer, as we all know it has bad reputation and been controversial that it could cause cancer. Antioxidants such as Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and  Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) that are widely use in oils of junk food has been linked with certain cancers in laboratory animals too. Now, tell me, is eating junk foods good for the health? Is there such thing as healthy junk foods or you will consider junk foods now as a group of bad foods? Yes, junk food may contain low nutritional value but junk foods effects are so hazardous to ones health.

Television advertising, greatly affects child’s desire for food, especially on unhealthy foods like junk food. Relatives and friends that gives food to the children is another great factor that influences the child’s choice of food. Parents, just bear in mind that your influence in choosing the right food for your kids is still the greatest influence of all. Though it is a little bit difficult to have complete control over what your children are taking in (especially when they are with friends or relatives) but you can and should control the foods that are available at your home. If junk food or any high sugar, high fat, high salt, low nutrient and preserved foods are not available at your home, the child would be force to eat the nutritious food available. So, the best thing is do not keep foods that you do not want your child to consume, those you consider unhealthy foods for your family like junk food.

Health Benefits of Garlic

Health Benefits of Garlic

A simple clove of garlic, minced garlic, garlic sauce, garlic oil, garlic butter, roasted garlic for your garlic recipes like garlic chicken, garlic bread, garlic pizza, garlic potatoes or garlic mashed potatoes and other garlic recipes are so healthy for your  health.

Garlic is considered miracle food by the herbalists and naturopaths because aside from its culinary uses it is beneficial to our health and has medicinal properties.

Allium sativum L. or garlic as we commonly call it, has good reputation not just on our taste buds but in our health in general. And, because of the said reputation, we consider garlic an important component in nutrition for those who are following a healthy lifestyle.

Did you know that garlic has lots of minerals that is good for our body and some of it are iodine, selenium, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc and potassium? It has vitamins A, B and C too.

Its pungent flavor made it to be a fundamental component in many dishes and it can be eaten either raw or cooked. Garlic cloves or minced garlic is often paired up with onion and tomato in sauteing. Garlic stems are often used in stir frying and its leaves is cooked as vegetable, but just in small amount, like leaks and onion leaves. Garlic sauce, garlic oil, garlic butter, roasted garlic for your garlic recipes like garlic chicken, garlic bread, garlic pizza, garlic potatoes or garlic mashed potatoes are some of garlic products we usually enjoy with garlic.

When cloves of garlic is cut or minced or crushed, sulfur compounds like allicin, ajoene, vinyl dithin and D-allyl mecaptocysteine were released. These compounds are considered as anti-carcinogenic and anti-atherosclerotic. Thiosulfonates are phytochemicals or antioxidant components we can get from garlic that are known to reduce the risk of heart disease and has anti-cancer effect. Allicin is responsible of its pungent taste and smell and is thought to be accountable of most of garlic’s therapeutic attribution.

In several studies it has been shown that the compounds in garlic are good for the heart and it offers us a protection against stroke: it lowers blood pressure, beats down cholesterol production in the liver, lessens LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol) in the blood. It also decelerates hardening of the arteries and maintain its tensility. The recommended daily dose of fresh garlic is about 4g, equivalent to 1-2 small garlic cloves.

Garlic could also inhibit blood clotting and increase the rate at which blood clots are broken down, but at least ten garlic cloves a day-may have to be eaten before any effect is noticed.

Garlic helps us also fight infections because of its antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It is a good expectorant and is also good in asthma, common colds, arthritis and a good remedy for dozens of other complaints. It has impressive antioxidant effect that protects us against harmful “free radicals”. And, it has even been suspected that garlic help regulate blood sugar level. Indeed, garlic can be considered a wonder drug.

Though it is considered a miracle food, and whether you admit it or not garlic sauce, garlic oil, garlic butter, roasted garlic for your garlic recipes like garlic chicken, garlic bread, garlic pizza, garlic potatoes or garlic mashed potatoes are so irresistible but we have to take it in MODERATION for it is also known in causing halitosis and pungent ‘garlicy’ smell of the sweat. Too much eating of garlic, especially if it is taken raw, may cause irritation to our digestive tract.

Tips to Improve Your Memory

Few minutes ago, my younger sister asked me what to do to improve her memory. Then she added, “I hope there is a wonder drug that provides a high quality upgrade for human memory. A wonder drug that can simply be bought anywhere and then I can just have my memory upgraded anytime. How I wish it were as easy as upgrading the Mac memory of my MacBook Pro or my PSP memory stick.” Silly as it sounds, she seemed serious when she said those words. I’m sure a lot of people also wish for the same thing, but even if some products on the market promises to do wonder in improving one’s memory, such wonder drug does not exist. However, I can give her some tips how to improve her memory.

Here are my simple tips:
HAVE TIME FOR EXERCISE.  Family exercise will not just act as bond for your family and not just good for your heart but for the wellness of your family in general. Regular exercise boosts memory. Lots of research has been conducted from small children to adults about the connection between exercise and mental functioning of the brain. All of them have proven that it does not just release happy hormone that has anti-stress effect but it boosts memory and good cognitive functioning too.

EAT A BALANCED DIET. Eating a balance meal with more emphasis on plant foods – grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts will help your brain to function well. Foods that are rich in antioxidants like strawberries and spinach may help retard age related problems and that includes memory. Foods that are rich in choline or lecithin, riboflavin and zinc are also good for the brain. Zinc is involved in enzyme reaction in the brain that could influence its functions while choline or lecithin and riboflavin improves memory.

SUPPLEMENT YOURSELF WITH VITAMINS B, C and E.  Vitamin B6, B12, thiamine and choline have big roles to play in brain functioning while vitamin C and E are powerful antioxidants that may protect your brain from normal aging.

DRINK AT LEAST 8 GLASSES OF WATER DAILY. More than 60 percent of our body is made up of water. For more info about the importance of water to your brain just click here.