Nutrition used to be something like: “eat fresh food and stay away from potato chips”… now we are told beware of ‘free radicals’ in the body. Antioxidants are supposed to be good for you, but how do we encourage one and fight the other?
“If I’d known I was going to live so long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” — Leon Eldred
We live in an age where we are beginning to see an awareness developing between eating habits and good health. Several buzz phrases like low carb, high protein, and Hoodia are mentioned as a means to gaining a better life while honing a better physique.
Another phrase that is repeated often is ‘’antioxidants”.
What exactly is an antioxidant and why is it important?
Everyone has what is called ‘free radicals’ that roam throughout the body. These free radicals have the potential to attack the body, primarily in the form of cancer. Antioxidants fight back. A nutrition plan that includes antioxidants can assist in staving off the potential for acute illness due to free radicals.
Drinks such as coffee and tea often have a certain amount of antioxidants, but it is fresh fruit that is especially rich in antioxidants. Fruit, of course, remains high on the list of recommended foods by the U.S.D.A., but it may surprise you to know that extra virgin olive oil as part of a balanced diet can provide as much antioxidant as a piece of fruit.
The health benefits of olive oil remain a delightful discovery for many. It’s not often something that adds significant good taste to a gourmet meal and can also be an extremely healthy choice.
A diet that is lean in saturated fats (red meat) balanced with a healthy dose of fatty acids has pointed to a number of health benefits. Most of the fatty acids that your body may need can be found in extra virgin olive oil.
The health benefits of olive oil extend to the reduction of LDL (bad cholesterol) while increasing the amount of HDL (good cholesterol).
Case Study
The University of Barcelona conducted a controlled study that followed 16 individuals that were advised to refrain from certain foods that contained phenols (an antioxidant designed to attack free radicals). After abstaining for four days the test group was given extra virgin olive oil to determine if this alone could increase the levels of phenol in the body.
50ml of olive oil was provided to test subjects while they refrained from things like butter, nuts, eggs and margarine. After the first day the total intake of olive oil was cut in half. One week later, blood samples indicated elevated amounts of the antioxidants vitamin E and phenols. Oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids were also seen at higher levels – both acids are indicative of lower LDL (bad cholesterol) oxidation.
Some researchers believe that the health benefits of olive oil may still be untapped, and many have indicated regular ingestion of olive oil may be one of the best kept health secrets available.
Beyond its antioxidant properties, extra virgin olive oil has provided significant data to indicate it may also lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and aid in the fight against colon cancer specifically.
Isn’t it time to discover the virtues of olive oil for yourself?
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Omega 3 benefits are wide-ranging and proven by clinical studies. Understanding the best Omega 3 sources means you can include more of these healthy foods in your daily meal planning. From heart health to depression treatment to pregnancy health, Omega 3 benefits are too good to ignore if you are interested in health.
What are Omega 3’s and what are the best Omega 3 sources? The Omega 3 essesential fatty acids (EFA’s) are polyunsaturated fats or the so-called “good fats”. These desirable fats cannot be made by the human body, so they must be obtained from foods or supplemental sources. These fats are required for normal development of the brain, eyes and nerve tissue in humans. Clinical studies show that Omega 3 benefits come primarily from DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).
The best Omega 3 sources are animal foods, not plant sources. For example, flaxseed is a source, but the body must convert the flax oil Omega 3 into DHA and EPA. This can be difficult for unhealthy or elderly persons. Three of the top Omega 3 sources are cold-water fish oil, grass-fed red meat and natural eggs. Omega 3 oils provide DHA and EPA in a natural form that your body can easily assimilate. No conversion is required by the body. Most of the clinical studies on Omega 3 benefits are based on fish oils from consuming fish and fish oil supplements.
Here are Omega 3 benefits proven by clinical studies:
1. Improves Heart Health – fish oil and Omega 3 benefits include reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, reducing the risk of heart-related sudden death and lowering unhealthy triglyceride levels. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish a week for healthy persons and one serving per day of fish or fish oil supplement containing at least 900mg of fish oil for persons with heart disease.
2. Improves Mood – persons suffering from mood disorders such as depression benefit from fish oil supplementation and Omega 3. The lack of omega 3 fatty acids (DHA) has been linked by researchers to depression.
3. Reduces Risk of Developing Altzheimer’s Disease – clinical studies suggest that fish oil and DHA may protect the nervous system in humans.
4. Improves Memory and Brain Function – DHA and fish oil have been proven to stimulate memory and the ability to learn. Research has shown that mothers who take supplemental DHA during their pregnancy and lactation may increase their baby’s IQ.
5. Reduces Allergies – fish oil protects against the symptoms of hay fever, sinus infections, asthma, certain food allergies and allergic skin conditions like hives and eczema.
6. Reduces Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms – Omega 3 benefits come from the EPA and DHA in fish oil that reduce the amount of compounds causing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis.
7. Improves Eye Health – consuming fish oil is related to lowered risk of developing age related macular degeneration, an increasing common eye disease in people over 50.
8. Reduces PMS Symptoms in Women – Omega 3 is converted into substances called ‘prostaglandins type-3′ that control contractions of the uterus, which cause the cramping.
9. Improves Skin and Hair Health – fish oil helps protect the skin against damage from UV exposure, and skin disorders such as psoriasis can consider fish oil supplenentation a treatment option.
10. Lowers Cancer Risk – studies on Omega 3 benefits have linked lowered risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer to the consumption of fish oil.
Besides adding cold-water fish to meal planning, an easy way to enjoy Omega 3 benefits is by adding fish oil supplementation to your diet. Protect yourself from health problems related to the lack of the essential fatty acids DHA and EFA. The best of the Omega 3 sources is high-quality fish oil. However, it must be pure and totally free from contaminants. Read as much as you can about even more fish oil benefits that provide an amazing array of health benefits.
Copyright 2005 Infosearch Publishing
[Sponsored] Bryan Seawell is the proud owner of this article and he owns a site called: “dietrine review“. See how he can help you with his site: “dietrine review” and allow him to share with you his best known secrets here at his exclusive site, “dietrine review“. Thank you for your trust and belief in Bryan. Hope it will benefit you and others. Have a wonderful day ahead. [Sponsored]
Tags: American Heart Association, Cold Water Fish, Cold Water Fish Oil, Depression Treatment, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Fatty Acids, finess, Fish Oil Supplementation, Fish Oil Supplements, Fish Oils, Flax Oil, Good Fats, Grass Fed, healt, healt and finess, Heart Health, Natural Eggs, Nerve Tissue, Omega 3 Benefits, Omega 3 Oils, Polyunsaturated Fats, Pregnancy Health, Supplemental Sources
The road to a healthy lifestyle is through the proper amount of nutrition. An imbalance of such may cause poor health, fatigue and a weakened immune system. In order to have the well-balanced nutrients needed to maintain health, individuals must have amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, sugars, etc. In addition to everyday well-being, nutrition plays a very important role in sports performance. The reason is because the proper amount of nutrition improves strength, energy and agility.
Some experts believe that nutrition may also be linked to longevity. Common sense tells us that the healthier we are, the stronger our immune system becomes and the less likely we are to contract certain illnesses. This does not mean that likelihood of certain diseases is erased, but our bodies may be better able to fight against them with the proper amount of nutrition and a healthy immune system.
Individuals can learn of nutritional ingredients by reading the outside packaging of any food before they purchase it. Many people read labels in order to learn about a food’s nutritional value and whether or not it will be an acceptable part of their current diet. Others, who are not on a diet, prefer to read nutrition labels in order to carefully watch what they eat in hopes of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Just as it is important to have nutrition in our lives, it is equally important that we not consume too much of any one nutrient. As the old adage suggests, “too much of a good thing is not good.” An excess amount of certain nutrients, just as a deficiency of the same, can create hormonal variations. In addition, certain vitamins can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities. The best way to ensure that you are getting the right amount of nutrition in your diet is to check with a professional, who can assess your current medical condition and recommend a way to increase your immune system without harming it in the process.
It is important to learn about nutrition as early as possible, which is why most schools incorporate this subject into their academic curriculum. Today, students of all ages are introduced to the importance of nutrition in a healthy lifestyle and how the lack thereof may result in serious health problems, including psychological disorders, certain types of cancer and other ill effects.
The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Anyone with questions surrounding their nutrition intake or suggestions on a well-balanced diet should visit a licensed dietician for additional information and recommendations.
[Sponsored] Bryan Seawell is the proud owner of this article and he owns a site called: “hoodia balance review“. See how he can help you with his site: “hoodia balance review” and allow him to share with you his best known secrets here at his exclusive site, “hoodia balance review“. Thank you for your trust and belief in Bryan. Hope it will benefit you and others. Have a wonderful day ahead. [Sponsored]
Tags: Agility, Amino Acids, Balanced Nutrients, Common Sense, Fatigue, Fatty Acids, finess, healt, healt and finess, Healthy Immune System, Illnesses, Likelihood, Longevity, Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle, Medical Condition, Nutrition Diet, Nutrition Labels, Nutritional Ingredients, Nutritional Value, Old Adage, Poor Health, Sports Performance, Weakened Immune System
In our journey through life, we are bombarded with stereotypical images of health, fitness, and beauty by society and media. It is up to us to interpret and react how we see appropriate. Most of us are dedicated to finding ways to fit these expectations. We search for remedies, light, low fat, no fat foods to “fix” ourselves. When in actuality, we should be leaving behind this thought pattern and instead be searching for alternatives, such as finding good fat to eat. Let’s explore this, shall we?
Myth: All fat is bad.
Truth: There are types of good fat to eat.
Fact: Over 100,000 Americans have too much fat on their bodies.
Everyone’s body possesses fat. There is safe fat and excess fat. People store excess fat on their bodies because they are eating the wrong types of fat…not the good ones.
As human beings, it is important to store a certain amount of fat droplets in our bodies. This is important for preserving the functions of cells. In addition, there are great many types of fats that hold great powers to fight disease. The key to dealing with fats is to control both the amount of fat you eat and the kind of fat you eat. So, let’s talk about some good fat to eat, OK?
First off, we need to discuss the composition of fat, briefly, of course.
A major building block of fat is fatty acids, which are composed of chains of carbon atoms. The length of these chains determines how your body uses the fat. Shorter chains of fatty acids are absorbed quicker than longer chains of fatty acids are absorbed, which tend to be stored as fat.
Attached to these chains of fatty acids (or carbon atoms) you will find hydrogen atoms. The more of these, the more saturated the fat is. If the chain is missing some hydrogen atoms, the fatty acid is unsaturated. One missing point of hydrogen atoms is referred to a monosaturated fat (found in olives, cashews, and salmon). When there are two or more missing points the fat is called polysaturated. This fat is found in fish and vegetable oils. EFA or Essential Fatty Acid is present in polysaturated fat and is very important for normal cell growth and development.
Now, let’s talk more about the good fat to eat.
EFA’s are not produced by the human body. Hence, EFA’s are solely provided by your diet. Essential Fatty Acids are extremely beneficial to our bodies. It even has the ability to treat many health conditions.
Being that the fats we eat are altered by chemical means, they have been striped of their EFA’s. They are now synthetic fats such as trans-fatty fats found in fast foods, stick margarine and packaged snacks, i.e. cookies.
Lastly, EFA’s are classified into 2 omega fats more commonly known as omega 3 and omega 6. These fats are both essential and must be included in your diet.
Omega 3 fatty acid is known for preventing and/or treating heart disease, arthritis, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Omega 3 fats are present in the following foods: Walnuts, wheat germ oil, salmon, sardines, tuna and other cold water fish. Also, flax seeds, purslane, and perilla oils are all high in omega 3 fats.
Omega 6 fatty acids regulate reproduction and metabolism, and are good for both skin and hair and important for normal growth. Foods high in omega 6 fats include but not limited to almonds, peanut butter, Brazil nuts, soybean oil, cotton seed oil, corn oil, sunflower seeds and walnuts.
Now that we have touched on some very basic facts about fat, hopefully we now are more comfortable with the consumption of fats. Now let’s go out there and find some good fat to eat.
Good health and weight loss can be obtained with out starving yourself. Find out how you can optimize your health and loose fat off your body by eating not deprivation. Learn more about good fat to eat and weight loss without gimmicks and all the hype.
Visit this blog in order to know more about how to loose weight!
Tags: Actuality, Bad Truth, Carbon Atoms, Cashews, Chains, Droplets, Fatty Acid, Fatty Acids, Functions Of Cells, Great Health, Health Fitness, Human Beings, Hydrogen Atoms, Low Fat, Monosaturated Fat, Olives, Stereotypical Images, Thought Pattern, Types Of Fats, Weight Reduction
Anxiety, often accompany Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. If you understand the cause it is easy to see why.
There are glands which sit on top of each of your kidneys called adrenal glands. During times of stress, these glands go into a primitive survival mode. They produce adrenaline to help you fight or flee from the stressor. However, most of our stressors today are not something like a animal, that we can fight or run away from to protect our lives, rather they are bosses, co-workers, teenagers, spouses, bill collectors etc.
Instead of the adrenaline going to the muscles where it is used up and discarded by the body, the adrenaline dwells within the body, often attacking the coating of the nerves (aka. myelin sheathing).
If this process happens long or often enough, the myelin becomes very thin and the adrenals tend to stay in continuous defense mode. Therefore every little stressor can cause the feeling of extreme panic or anxiety.
There are other factors to consider….
• Coffee, tea and caffeine… over-stimulate the adrenals, keeping them in an already agitated state
• Lack of nutrients especially potassium, sodium, B-complex and fatty acids…which help soothe the adrenals
• Video games and adrenaline-provoking movies can play havoc on a weakened adrenal
Avoiding STRESS and the above insults to the adrenals are necessary, but there are other avenues which can help.
• Natural sodium (found in cucumbers, cabbage, and slippery elm)…. not NaCl or salt… helps soothe the adrenals and gets the message across that the danger has past
• Potassium (found in parsley) … also helps soothe the adrenals
• B-complex (made by the body, not the supplemental form) … appears to lessen the over-stimulation to the adrenals during time of stress. Probiotic Eleven is probably the very best source of the bacillius which, when populated in the intestine, produces natural B vitamins….. Caution: isolated Bs, found in vitamin tablets, can increase anxiety.
When under prolonged anxiety, the adrenals can become exhausted, often causing depression and fatigue. Mood Elevator is probably my very favorite nutritionally supportive combination for the adrenals.
Most people don’t understand that drinking that morning cup of coffee, chugging the AMP to stay awake in class after partying all night are really hurting your Health, not helping! You have a lot to change and we know it won’t be easy, but think of the day when you will finally smile when you first wake up in the morning, I do it! Generalized Anxiety Disorder and anxiety attacks takes a while to go away when nourishing the myelin and adrenals, but it is the only permanent solution of which I am aware and definitely worth it.
P.S. Read about immune system boosters on this blog.
Tags: Adrenal Glands, Adrenals, Avoiding Stress, B Vitamins, Bacillius, Bill Collectors, Bull Coffee, Coffee Tea, Defense Mode, Fatty Acids, Intestine, Kidneys, Nacl, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Ocd, Sheathing, Slippery Elm, Stressor, Stressors, Survival Mode
