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Archive for the ‘Nutrition’ Category

What You Must Know About Flax Seeds

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

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Fish oil versus Flaxseed oil:

What is the opinion on fish oil supplements, and why not just take flaxseed oil since it has omega 3s? How much is needed to take daily?

Flax is one of the best dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids, an essential fat not produced by the human body but only available through dietary sources.

The answer is really very simple. There are several Omega 3 fatty acids. They are named ALA (alpha linolenic acid), EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid). ALA is found in flaxseed oil whereas EPA and DHA are found in fish oils. ALA is able to convert into EPA and then into DHA, but this takes several enzymatic steps in the body and not everyone efficiently converts ALA into EPA and DHA, particularly with aging.

Lignans are a type of fiber, and at the same time a type of phytoestrogen — a chemical similar to the human hormone estrogen. Flaxseeds are the richest source of lignans. When you eat lignans, bacteria in the digestive tract convert them into estrogen-like substances called enterodiol and enterolactone, which are thought to have anti-tumor effects. Lignans and other flaxseed components may also have antioxidant properties, that is, they may reduce the activity of cell-damaging free radicals.

Flaxseeds have a pleasant, nutty flavor and taste good sprinkled on salads, cooked vegetables, or cereals. The oil is quite tasty, too, though expensive. However, the process of obtaining the oil from the seeds removes these lingans. Soluble fiber is not present in flax seed oil.

In addition to the omega-3s, the remaining two components of flaxseed, which are lignans and fiber are being studied for their health benefits as well, says Diane Morris, PhD, RD, spokesperson for the Flax Council of Canada. Lignans, for example, act as both phytoestrogens and antioxidants, while the fiber contained in the flaxseed is of both the soluble and insoluble type. Flax is an interesting mixture of nutrients and other components.

Ground flax seed is used for hot flashes, breast pain and reducing cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels. It is also used as a laxative, as a promoter of heart health and to modulate blood glucose levels. Flax seed oil is used to relieve arthritis, prevent cancer and control cholesterol. The oil may also have beneficial effects on controlling ADHD and dry eyes, as well as being beneficial to the cardiovascular system.

So what are you waiting for? You have the chance to improve your health state today! We urge you to gather more information on the benefits of Flaxseed and Flaxseed oil today! Live a healthy life!

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==>Hardening of the attitudes is the most deadly disease on the face of the earth.<==

Tags: blood pressure, cardiovascular, cholesterol, Diet Info, Healthy eating
Posted in Antioxidants, Diet Info, Healthy eating, Nutrition | 12 Comments »

Get into the Tofu Habit for a Naturally Healthy You

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

Tofu is a popular to most vegetarians. It is packed with nutrition and can easily substitute for meats. It is made of soybeans and is low in cholesterol, fat and calories. Tofu is very popular among vegetarians because it is a great source of protein. Whether you’re a vegetarian or not, it is a very healthy idea to include tofu in your diet because it provides your body with the nutrients you need.

Here are some benefits you can get from eating tofu.

Good for the heart:
Tofu is low in calories, cholesterol and fats. We all know that too much cholesterol and fats will increase your risk of getting cardiovascular diseases. Tofu lowers the amount of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and maintains a good amount of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in your body. LDLs are known as the bad cholesterol. Excess amount of LDL will eventually result to serious heart illnesses. It also contains Omega 3. A nutrient that is important to keep your heart healthy.

Makes your Bones strong and healthy:
Tofu is rich in calcium that is very much needed in keeping your bones strong. As you get older, you’ll need more calcium in your body to prevent your bones from getting brittle and weak. Eating tofu also prevents you from developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Rich in protein and Vitamin B:
This is most popular reason vegetarians eat tofu. Since they don’t eat meat, they lack protein in their diet. Tofu is packed with protein and vitamin B. Tofu has a high amount of protein. Eating Tofu gives vegetarians the amount of protein they need without having to resort to eating meat.

Contains Isoflavones:
Isoflavones help lower the amount of LDL in your body. They are known as cholesterol fighters. Isoflavones also work like estrogen. Combined with protein, tofu is very effective in fighting off certain diseases and types of cancer. Women on the pre- menopausal and menopausal stage can greatly benefit from tofu. The estrogen in tofu helps regulate hormone levels. During menopause, women experience hormonal imbalances due to the reduction of estrogen in their system. Without this hormone, women become prone to health conditions like osteoporosis and breast cancer. In men, isoflavones help reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer.

Powerful Antioxidant:
Some people like to eat tofu because it is very rich in antioxidants that fight off radicals and other harmful microorganisms in the body. Having an adequate amount of antioxidant in your body is also known to prevent certain cancers.

Maintains Weight:
Tofu can help you lose weight without losing important nutrients in your body. You get enough amount of protein that you get from meat without the fat. A study had shown that people who eat tofu have lower hunger cravings and stay full longer than those who don’t eat tofu.

Tofu has many benefits. It is not an exclusive food for vegetarians. Eating tofu is one way of improving your natural health. To make eating tofu more delightful, try learning different tofu recipes.

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==>Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places!<==

Tags: Diet Info, fats, Healthy dieting, Healthy eating, protein, Weight Loss
Posted in Healthy dieting, Healthy eating, Healthy lifestyle, Nutrition, Recipes, Weight Loss | 8 Comments »

Avoid Fast and Dangerous Weight Loss

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Dangerous weight loss practices are – unfortunately – practiced every day by those who want to lose weight quickly. However, many people do not realize the adverse effects that these practices have on their bodies. This article will introduce you to some of those effects and tell you why you should avoid these methods at all cost.

Are you looking into how you might lose some weight? Our society is obsessed with looking thin and getting things quickly. When those two ideas are put together, the result can be dangerous weight loss that can really harm your body. If you are planning on losing weight, then you should focus on losing no more than three to five pounds each week.

Sometimes there is a specific reason that you want to get rid of some weight fast. Perhaps you are preparing for a wedding or maybe the summer is coming up and you think that you need to get your swimsuit body back. But be careful of losing weight too fast as there are several consequences that can come out of quick and dangerous weight loss.

Many of the consequences come out of the method that you choose. It’s pretty common for people to simply skip meals to lose weight. This has tons of negative effects. For instance, your body will not be getting the right amount of nutrition which could affect the way that your body works. Skipping meals may cause your body to burn off some fat, but it will also cause your body to burn off muscle as well.

A lot of people also think that taking fat loss products in excess will help them lose weight faster. In reality, a lot of times this will actually cause the opposite effect. Weight loss pills tend to change the processes that take place in your body, and having an overload of those effects can slow down your metabolism and actually cause you to gain weight. Taking diet pills may lead to an addiction – which has many negative impacts on one’s health.

Always avoid any kind of shady way of losing weight, like using laxatives. Laxatives are often used by young people who don’t quite understand how their bodies work. While it is true that laxatives will stop your body from absorbing all of the fat from your food, it is also true that it prevents your body from absorbing the nutritional value as well. Laxatives can cause you to enter a state of malnutrition very quickly if they are used as a weight loss aid.

There is also the fact that rapid weight loss can lead to conditions such as anorexia or bulimia. These are very serious problems that can arise from dangerous weight loss and can cause heart attacks, strokes and death. There is almost no doubt that the best way to lost weight in a healthy way is to limit your caloric intake and get a good amount of exercise. Stay away from any method of losing weight that seems unsafe to you or you may suffer the consequences.

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Tags: calorie intake, Exercise, Healthy dieting, Healthy eating, lose weight, metabolism, Weight Loss Pills
Posted in Diet Info, Healthy dieting, Healthy eating, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Weight Loss Pills/Supplements | 10 Comments »