Health & Nutrition

Vegetarian

2011-11-23T21:39:00.001-08:00

Vegetarian Health Benefits

By Michael T Balducci

Have you ever thought about becoming a vegetarian? Did you wonder about the benefits of being vegetarian? As we age, our bodies change. Have you also noticed that health food stores are everywhere - from the small local stores to the large food chain? So wondering about the benefits of being a vegetarian is a natural progression for most people.

Becoming a Vegetarian

Becoming a vegetarian / vegan is a choice. Depending on what you choose to include and exclude from your diet, there are 5 main categories of vegetarianism

1. Ovovegetarian- this includes the consumption of eggs but not dairy products

2. Lactovegetarian- this includes dairy products but not eggs.

3. Ovo-lactovegetarian(or lacto-ovo vegetarian) - this is a combination and includes animal/dairy products such as eggs, milk, and honey.

4. Vegan- this excludes all animal flesh and animal products, including milk, honey, and eggs, and may also exclude any products tested on animals, or any clothing from animals.

5. Raw vegan - this includes only eating fresh and uncooked fruit, nuts, seeds, and vegetables.

What are the Vegetarian Heath Benefits?

Also studies have shown a positive link between eating a vegetarian diet and a reduced risk for multiple chronic diseases. In fact, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) affirms that, "appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases."

Asthma

2011-11-03T23:05:00.000-07:00

A Guide to Green Lipped Mussel Powder Use for Asthma

By Gloria Daniels

There are various treatments for asthma from prescription drugs to medicated inhalers to help you breathe. Read on however, if you haven't yet been exposed to green lipped mussel powder use for asthma.

What is Asthma

What are Symptoms of an Asthma Attack

Below is a listing of some symptoms of an asthma attack:

Chest pain or pressure
Very rapid breathing
Uncontrollable coughing
Blue lips or blue fingernails
Wheezing when breathing
Paleness in face
Sweating and/or anxiety

What Does Green Lipped Mussel Powder Have to Do with Asthma?

The mussel contains an inhibitor of an enzyme (lipoxygenas), involved in the trigger of an asthma attack. Reducing the levels of inflammatory leukotrienes in the body is the key to the green lipped mussel anti-inflammatory action.

Commercial drugs, known as leukotriene modifiers, are available for the treatment of asthma. It is important to note that green lipped mussel powder for asthma is not as quick acting as a medical inhaler. As a natural alternative therapy for asthma, using green lipped mussel supplements for arthritis has many benefits. By controlling symptoms and reducing the dosage of asthma medications, the quality of life can be enhanced for an asthma sufferer.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Total Nutrition, Fourth Edition

ACNE

2011-10-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

Acne Care - How to Wash Your Face Correctly

By Jimmy C

Before we get started, you should know that the main cause of your acne is excess oil (sebum) causing dead skin to clog your skins pores, trapping bacteria in the pores. This will cause your white blood cells to attack the bacteria resulting in acne.

Since oil aides in clogging you faces pores, I would stay away from the OCM method and use cleansers specifically designed for skin with acne. Proper Cleansing Methods

Here is how I washed my face when I had acne, not only did it prevent the spread of infection, but it also helped to stop future outbreaks.

First get the right cleanser that is designed for skin with acne, preferably one that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl and no oils.

Using a soft cloth or just your hands, rub the cleanser in your face and then remove the cleanser by rinsing your face with warm water. After cleansing, apply a moisturizer to keep you skin hydrated.

I performed this face wash for acne during the years I was susceptible to acne. It helped stop and prevented future outbreaks of acne on my face. If you want to prevent or eliminate acne, you need to properly clean your face.

Jimmy C has been studying skin care for many years because of his skin problems in his youth. Being a victim of acne in his younger days, he has researched this subject to help people prevent and stop acne.

Vitamin E

2011-10-14T02:55:00.000-07:00

Should you use Vitamin E for Scars?

Vincent Platania

You'll find many people touting the use of vitamin E on scar tissue these days. The honest truth is that vitamin E doesn't appear to help heal scar tissue.

In a 1999 study following patients after cancer surgery, doctors applied an ointment containing vitamin E to a part of the scar tissue and applied an ointment without the vitamin to the other half of the scar. The scar tissue healed at the same rate with both ointments and on a negative side the vitamin E ointment gave some patients contact dermatitis, which is red and itchy skin.

Scar tissue is actually skin tissue with a lot of collagen fibers in it. When a wound is healing the collagen served as a bridge connecting the skin. The oil helps to soften skin tissue and makes it look better overall, if you don't have an allergic reaction to the vitamin E. Unfortunately some people are genetically predisposed to getting scar tissue when a wound heals, while others are not. It may be that those who claim a benefit from applying the vitamin E are simply people who aren't genetically disposed towards developing scar tissue.

Vitamin C is involved with the creation of new skin tissue and this can help your wounds heal better.

Managing Diabetes

2011-08-07T16:24:00.004-07:00

Managing Diabetes With Natural Cure

By Marilyn Reid

Are you urinating more frequently than the usual? Do you easily feel tired and weak recently? Are you experiencing some tingling and numbness of your extremities? And did you lose weight so suddenly during the past days? If you say yes to all these, chances are you are suffering from a disorder known as diabetes.If your not too familiar with this health condition, you might as well start doing your research now in order to learn more about it and find natural cures as much as possible.

Diabetes Facts

Diabetes is a health disorder whereas the body is not able to regulate the amount of sugar, specifically glucose, in the blood. Glucose functions mainly by giving you energy so you can perform your day-to-day activities. But if this regulates the amount of sugar in the blood, the insulin in turn regulates it so it will always be on the right level. And so, when the body produces not enough insulin or does not use it properly, then that's when diabetes comes in.

Diabetes has three types: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. In type 1, the body does not produce insulin or produce too little to regulate the blood glucose level. Meanwhile, in type 2, there is enough insulin but the body is unable to use it partially or completely. And in gestational diabetes, pregnant women experience a sudden increase in blood glucose level during the second half of pregnancy. This, however, goes away once the baby is delivered About Diabetes.

Natural Cures for Diabetes

Although there are lots of prescription medications nowadays, you can always have that option to manage diabetes with natural cures. These may include changing your eating habits, having a healthier lifestyle by observing regular exercise, and going for a raw-food diet or vegan diet. Changing your eating habits means eating the right amount and eating the right food. If you are fond of eating fast foods, then it's time you choose healthy snacks instead. And make sure that you don't eat too much or too little. But to really manage diabetes, you have to combine good eating habits with regular exercise. It is important that you do various physical activities daily so you won't gain too much weight. You should avoid being a diabetic and an obese as this would mean life and death for you.

Now, let's go to raw foods and vegan diets. More people, including celebrities, have already proven that these really work not only in weight loss but also in managing diabetes. Fruits, vegetables, and other raw food snacks can help you achieve a controlled sugar level. So, instead of being dependent on sweet snacks, fast foods, processed meals, and drinks with high sugar content, why not go raw and natural this time?

Benefits of Juicing

2011-08-07T06:46:00.001-07:00

The Health Benefits of Juicing

By Nehemiah Maxwell

I started juicing raw vegetables and apples in 1996. It is very easy to do. All you need is a good juicer. Much of the foods people eat, such as french fries, fried chicken, microwave popcorn, doughnuts, margarine, cookies and pastries contain an artery-clogging fat called Trans fat. This fat can lead to type two diabetes, high cholesterol and other health problems. If you desire to live a long, healthy, vibrant life, you have to take care of your body by giving it the proper nutrition. That is why I am such a strong advicate for Juicing. Health Benefits The benefits of consuming these freshly made, health drinks are many. They aid in keeping organs such as heart, liver, and kidneys strong and healthy. They also help prevent colon cancer and keep your digestive system in tiptop shape. This is because they are a great supplier of protein, vitamins and minerals. These drinks also boost the immune system and promote good-looking healthy skin. Another health benefit to consuming these drinks is they help you lose weight and lower cholesterol naturally. Nutritional Health Begins On The Inside I am a firm believer that if you work on being healthy on the inside it will show-up on the outside. Sometimes when I run into old friends they tell me that I look very healthy. I believe the juices that I drink has a lot to do with this. I know a woman who smoked for many years. When she finally quit smoking I noticed in a short period of time, the skin on her face look healthier. There was almost a glow to it. Can you visualize what would happen if more and more people would work on being healthy from the inside out? I can! Raw Vegetable juice Verses Cooked Vegetables You might be saying to yourself I eat a lot of cooked vegetables with my meal why then should I consider juicing? Well allow me give you two reasons: 1.When you cook vegetables at temperatures above 114 degrees, heat destroys the enzymes. (Enzymes are naturally occurring chemical substances in the human body that help a chemical reaction take place). In other words enzymes are important because they aid in the digestion and absorption of food in your body. Fruit and vegetable juice that are sold in a shop or supermarket must go through a pasteurizing process before they can be sold to you the customer. The reason for this pasteurizing process is to give these drinks shelf life. However during this process heat reaches about 120 degrees thus destroying the enzymes. In contrast enzymes in raw vegetable or fruit drinks are live. So they are able to do the job they are intended to do. 2.When you juice, you separate the liquid from the fiber. Thus food value is available to the body in much larger amounts than if the piece of fruit or vegetable were eaten whole. If you ate one raw carrot, your body would only be able to absorb about 1% of the available vitamin A (beta carotene). That is because most of the nutrients in a carrot are locked in its fiber. However if you separate the liquid from the fiber, your body would be able to assimilate 90% of the nutrients. Pretty amazing!

Supplement

2011-08-04T16:49:00.002-07:00

Nutritional Supplement for Healthy

By Anna Josephs

Many of us equate vitamin, miniral, and nutrition supplement but most of the time what is purchase in the name of healthy food does not mean to be safe all the time.

Our body I made up of chemical component such as water, proteins, lipids, DNA, and carbohrdrates. When nutrition supplement is take in amounts greater than the recommmanded dietary allowance they will no longer will be nutrition and they will be considred as durgs.
Currently, too many nutritional benefits are processed, cooked or fried out of what we eat, which leaves us little choice but to supplement our diet with nutrients such as vitamins and minerals to regain health and to stay healthy. Healthy food and good nutritional supplements will restore your engine to optimum working order. DO NOT self-medicate with large doses of vitamins, minerals, or other nutritional supplements without seeking medical advice.
Many of us start taking nutritional supplement with any advice on dietician which affect our body and which is realized by us. So be careful before you feel you need to take nutritional supplements, first discuss your concerns with your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified health care professional, for example, a registered nurse or dietician.

Diabetes Journal

2011-07-31T18:48:00.003-07:00

Manage your Sugar Diabetes with a Sugar Diabetes Meal Plan

By Donald Lawrence

As someone who suffers from diabetes, you might believe that the only way that you can contain your condition is through the utilization of medication. Fortunately, there are other things you can do besides taking medication to treat your sugar diabetes. You can have the same effect on your health as that medication by just making some small changes to your diet.

By creating a personal diabetes meal plan, the likelihood of actually maintaining the diet increases. Your plan can be made up of foods you enjoy if they are appropriate for diabetics. A food plan is helpful, but can't be successful on its own. Don't allow yourself to find ways to mentally back out of the meal plan by trying to find the perfect amount of time in your day to eat.

There are multiple advantages to using a healthful diabetes meal plan. Cholesterol levels and blood pressure can be controlled more easily with a solid diabetes meal plan. It will also keep your blood sugar levels in a normal range which is vital to controlling your diabetes.

While these benefits are obvious, your diabetic diet will also assist you in shedding your extra weight. Due to the fact that diabetes is often found in people that are overweight, it is crucial to try and eat a healthy diet so you can avoid adding those extra pounds. If you include foods you like, instead of those you don't, in your diabetes meal plan, you will be more likely to eat healthy. This diet will pay off by doing away with the extra weight you carry around and aid you in keeping your body healthy.

Keep track of the calories and carbohydrates you are eating, as proper management of that is an essential factor of a satisfactory sugar diabetes meal plan. Use a food pyramid guide as reference when attempting to comprehend the quantities of each food group that your body should have. All you need to do is create a healthy meal plan that you can follow every day without stress, and you will be well on your way to controlling your sugar diabetes and improving your health.

Vitamin A

2011-07-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

Vitamin A - Benefits, Deficiency and Food Sources

By Juliet Cohen

Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is essential to the formation of visual purple in the retina, which allows vision in dim light. It helps your eyes adjust to light changes when you come in from outside and also helps keep your eyes, skin and mucous membranes moist. Vitamin A mostly comes from animal foods, but some plant-based foods supply beta-carotene, which your body then converts into Vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the United States, but it can cause night blindness, eye inflammation, diarrhea and other problems. Overconsumption of vitamin A can cause nausea, irritability and blurred vision in its mild form. Vitamin A toxicity can cause growth retardation, hair loss and enlarged spleen and liver in its more severe form. Vitamin A overdose can also cause birth defects and has been linked to increased risk of bone fractures in some people. Like other vitamins, vitamin A does not replace food and in fact, it cannot be assimilated without food.

Benefits of vitamin A to us:-

1. Vitamin A improves our vision and prevents night blindness.

2. This vitamin promotes formation of strong bones.

3. Vitamin A supplements may help kids who have respiratory problem.

4. Act as anti-oxidant, helping to protect our cells against cancer and other disease.

5. It can improve skin condition like acne or psoriasis.

6. Vitamin A guards us against bacterial, viral, parasitic infections.

Deficiency Symptoms of vitamin A

1. Bitots spot.

2. Night blindness.

3. Conjunctival xerosis.

4. Corneal xerosis.

5. Keratomalacia.

Sources of vitamin A

1. Spinach and collard greens.

2. Egg yolk.

3. Fortified milk.

4. Sweet potato and Broccoli. 5. Pumpkin and carrots.

6. Cheddar cheese.

How to Prevent Diabetes Naturally Without Drugs

2011-06-25T17:08:00.000-07:00

Learn how to prevent diabetes naturally without all of the side effects of drugs.

The search for information relating to how to prevent diabetes naturally without drugs has become increasingly popular. As a civilization, diabetes has become much more prevalent in our society due to increased obesity.

However, you don't have to be categorized as obese to suffer from diabetes.

Learning how to prevent diabetes naturally without drugs is important for decreasing the prevalence of diabetes.

If you want to learn how to prevent diabetes naturally, start with your diet. A high fiber diet and a low sugar diet can be enough for basically healthy individuals who are concerned with a family history of diabetes.

Weight loss for those who are 20 pounds or more overweight can be a significant help in considering how to prevent diabetes naturally. Weight gain can restrict the body's ability to process and utilize the natural insulin, which is the basic cause of diabetes. Obesity and weight gain are cited as the single greatest cause for the increase in diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Reducing the intake of specific fats is essential in the prevention of this disease. Decreasing dietary fats like saturated fats and trans fats can help ward off diabetic threats.

Likewise, increasing the healthy fatty acids can combat the onset of diabetes the natural way. Fish oil supplements or flaxseed oil supplements can help provide the natural Omega 3 fatty acids that the body needs in order to encourage heart health and correct insulin production and use.

Daily exercise is vital. Simple daily exercise, like walking the family dog or getting a thirty minute Yoga or Tai Chi class can be highly effective in keeping diabetes at bay.

Smaller meals taken more often are part of how to prevent diabetes naturally. Overeating cause's insulin overproduction while eating small meals throughout the day can keep insulin production at regular and healthy levels.

Keeping an eye on your cholesterol and blood pressure levels can be significant indicators as to whether diabetes in waiting in the wings. Many cases of diabetes start with a frighteningly high cholesterol or blood pressure levels. Maintaining healthy levels of both the blood pressure and the cholesterol can help prevent diabetes.

There is a lot of information regarding how to prevent diabetes naturally on the internet, but the essential ingredient in keeping this potentially deadly disease at bay is common sense eating habits and an eye toward physical exercise. Maintaining a healthier lifestyle is the key to a healthy body.

While you're here be sure to take a look around for more tips and information for preventing and treating diabetes.

About Diabetes

2011-06-25T16:48:00.001-07:00

About Diabetes

By ehow.com

To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process by which food is broken down and used by the body for energy. Several things happen when food is digested:

A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body.
An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.

People with diabetes have high blood sugar. This is because:

Their pancreas does not make enough insulin
Their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin normally
Both of the above

There are three major types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. Many patients are diagnosed when they are older than age 20. In this disease, the body makes little or no insulin. Daily injections of insulin are needed. The exact cause is unknown. Genetics, viruses, and autoimmune problems may play a role.
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. It makes up most of diabetes cases. It usually occurs in adulthood, but young people are increasingly being diagnosed with this disease. The pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because the body does not respond well to insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to increasing obesity and failure to exercise.
Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes. Women who have gestational diabetes are at high risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life.

Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. Over 40 million Americans have prediabetes (early type 2 diabetes).

There are many risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including:

Age over 45 years
A parent, brother, or sister with diabetes
Gestational diabetes or delivering a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
Heart disease
High blood cholesterol level
Obesity
Not getting enough exercise
Polycystic ovary disease (in women)
Previous impaired glucose tolerance
Some ethnic groups (particularly African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans)

How to Become a Diabetes Nurse

2011-06-25T05:50:00.001-07:00

By ehow.com

Diabetes nurse specialists work with diabetic patients to control and manage their diabetes. A diabetes nurse specialist may help diabetes patients to monitor their medication and blood sugar. A nurse specialist may also help diabetic patients to minimize other symptoms of diabetes, including diabetic nerve damage. Their role may be to educate patients about proper diet and/or to help prevent diabetes in the general population. Diabetes nurses can offer pre-diabetic patients diet and nutrition counseling and diabetes education. Because of the specialized nature of the work, becoming a diabetes specialist nurse requires education, experience and credentials.

Become a registered nurse by obtaining an associate's degree in nursing or a bachelor's degree in nursing science. An associate's degree takes two years to obtain, while a bachelor's degree takes four years to obtain. In many cases, a bachelor's degree is preferable, and may be required to become a certified nurse specialist like a diabetes nurse. Many hospitals offer RN to BSN programs that allow you to begin work with an associate's degree and obtain your bachelor's degree while working as a nurse, sometimes with tuition reimbursement. You also must take and pass the national nursing exam, called the NCLEX-RN exam, in order to become a registered nurse.

Get practical experience and/or additional education. In order to become a diabetes nurse, you must have either practical experience working in the field, or advanced education or both. Nursingcredentialing.org states that a minimum of 500 practice hours in diabetes care may be required to become certified as an advanced diabetes specialist. A master's degree as a clinical nurse specialist may also be required. The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that the four specializations (including diabetes specialist nurses) require a master's degree, while Nursingcredentialing.org suggests that a master's degree is preferred but that a bachelor's, coupled with experience, may suffice.

Become certified as a diabetes specialist. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists states that you obtain certification through the The American Nurses Credentialing Center. The American Nursing Credentialing Center requires 500 hours of experience, as well as a passing score on a Diabetes Management Board Certification exam.

How to Prevent Canine Diabetes

A health epidemic has spilled over to our pets. There are almost as many out of shape canines as there are out of shape people. Canine diabetes has various causes. It can come from malnutrition and severe abuse. There is a direct correlation, in both pets and humans, between having diabetes and being overweight. Dogs get overweight because of two very real factors--out-of-balance diets and too little exercise. Dogs with diabetes have shorter life expectancies and get infectionseasily. Nutritional balance is key to helping keep your dog healthy and preventing canine diabetes.

First, immediately lower your canine's carbohydrate intake. Carbs turn to sugar in both human and canine bodies. Too much sugar raises blood sugar and enough of that causes insulin production. Too much insulin creates real problems like diabetes. Dogs do much better on a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates (the "good" carbs).

Cut back or eliminate table scraps. That's generally just another carb-fest your canine can't tolerate.

Feed your dog a quality balanced diet (see How to Give your Dog a Balanced Diet) with veggies and lean meat. Avoid most commercially made dog foods--they're often high in sugar and preservatives, another no-no for your canine friend.

Make sure to not over-feed him/her. Too much of a good thing is part of the problem.

Eliminate the sweets. Doggie treats are okay, but give quality treats and skip the sugary stuff. Remember this saying: "Trim is in!"

Get outdoors regularly. Take your dog for daily regular walks. Slowly build both your time and distance. Exercise is essential for good health, for canines and humans.

Talk with your vet if your dog seems "off." If he suddenly loses weight, has unusual thirstiness, or seems tired or weak, pay attention.

Have your canine friend get an annual check-up. Being proactive goes a long wayto preventing illness like diabetes.Be consistent. Your canine pals rely on you. You want to have them around for a long time, so give your dog a healthy and active lifestyle. You'll both be glad you did!