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Showing posts from November, 2012

DIETARY FIBER

Eat more fiber. You've probably heard it before. But do you know why fiber is so good for your health? Dietary fiber — found mainly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes — is probably best known for its ability to prevent or relieve constipation. But fiber can provide other health benefits as well, such as lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Selecting tasty foods that provide fiber isn't difficult. Find out how much dietary fiber you need, the foods that contain it and how to add them to meals and snacks. What is dietary fiber? Dietary fiber, also known as roughage or bulk, includes all parts of plant foods that your body can't digest or absorb. Unlike other food components such as fats, proteins or carbohydrates — which your body breaks down and absorbs — fiber isn't digested by your body. Therefore, it passes relatively intact through your stomach, small intestine, colon and out of your body. It might seem like fiber doesn't do m

MOOD BOOSTING FOOD

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We often talk about   food to lose or gain weight, ignoring the fact that food directly impacts our psychological health too. Nearly each one of us realizes that a bite of chocolate works amazingly to uplift our mood. There is a scientific explanation for foods that have this kind of a mood-boosting effect. Try using the following mood-boosting foods the next time you feel low: Dense Carbohydrate Foods with Low GI You should eat carbohydrate sources that are complex and have a low Glycemic Index (GI). This includes simple, homely food items like rotis made wholegrain wheat or multi-grain bread and basmati rice. These foods help to maintain a constant level of sugar throughout the day. Foods that contain easily absorbable sugars, like sweetened beverages, tend to spike our sugar levels and mood instantly. However, after some time the spike declines, inducing a low or de-energized feeling. In contrast,   complex carbohydrate sources   like potatoes and tofu ensure that our

FOODS THAT KILL YOU

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Our daily diet, unknowingly, consists of a lot of food that is actually poisonous and can cost us our life. Being alert about what you eat is really important as sometimes, even a seemingly regular food can turn fatal. Here are some foods that can actually kill you. 1. Mushrooms Toadstools are poisonous mushrooms that must not be eaten. Mushrooms that are found in the wild are the harmful ones and can cause grave damage to the body. However, you must take note of the fact that not all mushrooms are poisonous. 2. Potatoes One of the most commonly eaten vegetable across the world, a potato plant is actually poisonous. Everything except the bulbs, that we consume, is extremely harmful. If you consume the leaves of the potato plant in surfeit quantities it can prove to be fatal. 3. Cashew Raw cashews contain urushiol, which is a poisonous chemical that can lead to death of a person. The ones that are available in the market are not in their raw form as they ar

ENCYCLOPEDI OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN HOMOEOPATHY BY Dr. K S GOPI

This volume is the first of ten and includes 111 plants of the 1200 key specimens that will be examined as essential to the homeopathic pharmacy. It boasts a simple but lucid style, arranged according to botanical classification. Besides identification and preparation of the mother tincture, toxicology, pharmacology, homeopathic action, duration of action, and dose are covered in just the right amount of detail (exquisitely brief is how it is described by one admirer). Volume one offers an Introduction that contains an account of Hahnemann's life and his discoveries. This includes a brief synopsis of homeopathic terms and philosophy. Chapter Two offers Plant Description; useful for those who can't tell a capitulumic inflorescence from a rhizome. Chapter Three informs us of Plant Anatomy while Chapter four brings us up to speed on Drug Constituents. Both of these chapters are seriously scientific in the approach taken, illuminating the Forward where the work is offered outs

PREVENT CANCER

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Caner   is one of the leading causes of death these days. It is a disease which causes the cells to divide and grow uncontrollably which leads to the formation of a tumor. The causes of cancer can be multifarious but this disease is predominantly caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Read on to find more about various natural ways that can help you prevent cancer. 1. Eat Broccoli Broccoli is one of the   super foods   which can help you effectively prevent cancer. However, it is not recommended to microwave bro ccoli as it destroys its ant carcinogenic flavonoids. It is best to boil broccoli or eat it raw as a snack. 2. Add Garlic to Your Meals Garlic has very powerful antioxidant properties. It also strengthens the immune system and helps to prevent cancer. Various studies have shown that garlic can exponentially decrease the odds of stomach cancer. 3. Get Some Exercise An inactive lifestyle with no   exercise   can drastically increase the odds of cancer. R

BRAIN BOOSTING FOOD

1: Oily fish If you struggle to remember what day it is or what you had for dinner an hour ago, consider stocking up on the ultimate brain food, oily fish. Omega-3 fatty acids – found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines – are invaluable for just about every part of our body, and it seems our brains are no different. Researchers from the University of Kuopio in Finland found that eating oily fish three times a week reduces the risk of brain problems by 26 per cent and prevents against memory loss.  2: Dark, leafy greens Dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale and broccoli are packed with antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene, which are essential to keep your body and brain in good health. They are also a good source of folate, which can help to speed up information processing and memory recall. Research results published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also indicated that the folate found in leafy green vegetables can help to protect

FOOD FOR HEALTHY HEART

1.Apples:   An apple a day keeps the doctor away: a very clichéd saying but very true. Phytochemicals, present in apples, act as an anti-inflammatory and also prevent the blood from clotting. It is also high on fibres and vitamins. An apple also makes the perfect snack for someone who is always on the go. Plus it is available in different varieties, so you might not get bored of it soon. Add a few chopped pieces of apple in your Greek sala d 2. Almonds:  Have you been avoiding nuts for the oil they contain? If yes, then bring it back to your plate because this oil is actually healthy for your heart. The Vitamin E that almonds contain helps in keeping your cholesterol level under control. Like apples, almonds are also high on fibre and Vitamin content. Again a perfect 5 PM snack. Add to your heart's health by eating 4–5 soaked almonds each morning with your breakfast. 3. Soy:  Soy is not a very tasty option but it's really good for your heart. Soy protein can p

FOOD FOR SKIN

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1.     ORANGES:   Dark under-eye circles can make you look like the Crypt Keeper-not cute. But the vitamin C in oranges banishes bags. It strengthens collagen, the skin's supportive structure, to lift sunken areas that create shadows. 2.     SALMON:   It's packed with omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy fat that hydrates dry patches, Sandquist says. Omega-3s may also help increase the production of collagen and elastin, two essentials for soft, no-flake skin. 3.     GREEN TEA:   Does your skin take its sweet time to spring back when you press it? Green tea's antioxidants may restore bounce. Women who drank a green tea extract daily saw 4 percent more elasticity, The Journal of Nutrition finds. 4.     CHICKPEAS:   To help diminish scratches, scars and dark marks, start snacking on hummus. Chickpeas' protein delivers the amino acids essential for tissue growth and repair, says Dee Sandquist, R.D., a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition a

BAD BREATH

Bad breath is a major turn off and can also be one of the biggest dreads for some people. This embarrassing problem is caused by bacteria which dwell on your tongue and in other parts of your mouth. Read on to find more about some natural ways which can help you keep your breath fresh at all times. 1. Chew Mint Leaves Mint leaves are one of the best natural remedies to combat bad breath. Mint refreshes your mouth and gives off a pleasing smell. Chlorophyll present in leaves also absorbs odours and leaves you with a refreshing breath. 2. Gargle with Salt Water Rinsing and gargling with salt water can clear bacteria as well as food particles and debris on which the bacteria feed on. Put one teaspoon of salt in lukewarm water and swirl the mixture until the salt dissolves completely. Gargling with this mixture will also help you keep a healthy mouth. 3. Brush with Baking Soda Baking soda contains hydrogen peroxide which neutralized the acid present in your mouth. Acids make

HONEY

Honey is considered to be an elixir of life. This lustrous brown liquid works wonders for your health in more than one ways. 1. Immunity booster The antioxidants and anti bacterial properties that honey contains, aids the improvement of the digestive system. Consuming this liquid can help boost your immune system and keep you healthy and fit in life. 2. Skin Care Variety of beauty products available in the market contains honey as their prime ingredient. Honey not only helps to smoothen your skin but also keeps   acne at bay. The anti-bacterial properties of this liquid can give your skin a nourishing look and feel. 3. Aids Weight Loss Experts recommend eating honey mixed with warm water every morning. This unique combination helps you digest the fat in your body and aid the weight loss process. 4. Cancer preventive properties Honey contains a number of antioxidants and flavanoids that help diminish the risk of a few types of cancer. These antioxidants kill the colla

POMEGRANATE

Botanical name- Punica granatum L Family                  Punicaceae Native to Persia and the western Himalayan range, this wonder fruit is credited with being one of the healthiest fruits. A cluster of red, plump flesh covering seeds, they are rich in antioxidants and  vitamins, and make for an excellent source of fiber, too. These health-giving seeds or arils as they are also called, are perfectly suited for juicing or eating whole on salads, yoghurt, or as a topping on any other food you love. Health benefits of pomegranate: Fights cancer:  Studies claim that pomegranate juice helps in the fight against breast  lung and prostrate cancer. If consumed regularly, studies show that it can even help inhibit the development of cancer Buffers free radical damage:  Free radicals are produced by functions within the body and elements outside the body. Since we can’t stop its occurrence, it become important to consume foods that can help neutralize the damage. Pomegranates co