Why Take Food Rich in Lecithin(Choline)

What is the significance of taking food rich in lecithin(choline)? Having time for exercise, especially if you use Kettlebell, will not just keep your mind and body healthy but shape your body as well. Did you know that lecithin (choline) has good effect on body and mind too? Lecithin(choline) has potential healing power!

Research on animals (Cippoli, C. and Chiari, G. “Effects of L-Acetylcholine on Mental Deterioration of the Aged,” Clinica Terapeutica 132L:429-510, March 31, 1990.) showed that dietary intake of choline of animal subjects on their early stage in life lessened the severity of memory loss as they aged.

Can choline help improve memory of humans too? Researchers have long suspected that it can. What are the potential healing power of lecithin(choline) I’m talking about? Aside from its potential power to improve memory of normal healthy people up to people with mild memory impairment, people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease could benefit from it too. Choline level could also influence mood, that could help control mood swings. And, some research showed that choline could prevent liver damage from alcohol, could reduce cholesterol level and lower blood pressure too.

Choline is a precursor (considered to lead to the development) of neurotransmitter  acetylcholine, which is important for memory and cognition. Acetylcholine is essential for efficient brain function and communication. Lecithin is important in dealing with fatty deposites in blood vessels too. Phosphatidylcholine is an important component of VLDL. Lack of phosphatidylcholine could result to accumulation of fats and cholesterol in the liver.

Oatmeal, soybeans, peanuts, eggs, milk, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, seaweed and chocolate are great food sources of lecithin(choline). Lecithin and choline supplements are available in health stores too. Why suffer from memory loss now that you know the potential healing power of lecithin(choline)?

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.

Health Benefits of Flaxseed

Health Benefits of Flaxseeds

Flaxseed and Flax Oil Benefits

Have you heard about flaxseed and flax oil benefits? For the benefit of those who are interested to know more about flaxseed and flaxseed oil, I want to share some things I knew that is good for your family health.

Flaxseed and Flax Oil and its health beneficial components are highly significant when it comes to having healthy heart, arteries, and strong bones. We have talked about fatty acids and the significance of polyunsaturated fatty acids in lowering of low density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and in raising the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol. We have also tackled about omega-3 that is good for our bones. Well, let us add some benefit we can get from omega-3 to our list: it can RAISE high density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol that is responsible in cleaning up LDL-clogged artery; an anti-cancer; it helps reduce psoriasis, eczema, acne, dandruff and some allergies; has anti-stress effect (it increases stamina); and improves calcium absorption. The good news is- flaxseed oil belongs to polyunsaturated fatty acids and it is a good source of omega-3, so good for your family health as source of fat.

Yes, you hear it right, omega-3 from plant source. Usually, when we hear about omega-3, we automatically link it to fish oil, right? Well, flaxseed oil contains twice the amount of omega-3 compared to fish oil. Fish oil has omega-3 that is called eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA omega-3 while flaxseed and walnut has the precursor form and is called alpha-linolenic acid or ALA Omega-3. As you consume ALA omega-3, your body converts it to EPA omega-3. Flaxseed has alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) while evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). I highly emphasized it because though both ALA and GLA are linolenic acid that belong to essential fatty acids (EFA), they have different health benefits.

Aside from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 from plant source, flaxseed is rich in essential fatty acid called omega-6 fatty acids. We can also find insoluble and soluble fibers, manganese, magnesium, folate, copper, phosphorus, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), potassium, lecithin, zinc, protein and lignan precursors in flaxseed. Remember the phytoestrogen from soya? Flaxseed also contains phytoestrogen.Lignan precursors in flaxseed are converted to lignans by the body when it is consumed. Lignans acts as phytoestrogen and antioxidant in the body. It has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties.

Flaxseed benefits are so promising, right? But, not everyone has good access where to buy flaxseeds. Thanks to the byproducts (flaxseed oil and flaxseed oil supplements) that is accessible in the market. Flaxseed is more beneficial compared to flaxseed oil and flaxseed oil supplements because it contains dietary fibers (soluble and insoluble) and antioxidants. However application of minute amount of flaxseed oil to your face and neck for at least 30 minutes before taking a bath helps prevent your skin from fine lines and wrinkle formation.

Flaxseed is easily destroyed by heat, so, the right time to add your flaxseed or flaxseed oil is when your favorite food is already cooked. You may add it also in your favorite salads or even in yogurt. Practically speaking, you may add flaxseed in any food you want to eat as long as it is not hot. Though flaxseeds has lots of benefits, due to its high calorie content you need to take it moderately. Our body need 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil only for every 100 pounds of body weight every day. And in case you are taking in flaxseed, you only need 10-40 grams a day.

Just a simple reminders:
-You have to ask some opinion from your doctor first, if it is advisable for you to take flaxseed. or not.
-Buy flaxseed oils that are prepared at low temperature and placed in light-resistant plastic container.
-Make sure to refrigerate your flaxseed oil and, or flaxseed oil capsules to extend its shelf life.